A good hobby: playing the drums
This post discusses personal experiences in learning to play the drums as an adult.
Learning to play an instrument as an adult can seem like a frustrating and perhaps even impossible challenge. Still, with reasonable expectations and a certain amount of persistence, anyone can learn to play an instrument well enough that it becomes one of their main goals. And more satisfying hobbies.
What are drums, and how is it played?
The drums (percussion instrument) have several advantages over any other device and one main disadvantage.
For one thing, it takes just 10 minutes to be able to play a basic rock beat that serves as the basis for almost any rock & roll song (Tim Ferris proved that in 30 days, you could learn to play well enough to perform on stage). A massive concert with the rock band Foreigner).
In addition, it is not necessary to study harmony; reading rhythm scores is elementary and can be learned in just a few hours. There is a lot of free material online, and all you need to start practicing is a pair of drumsticks and a practice pad (even if this is not essential).
On the other hand, the battery is a bulky instrument, difficult to transport. In its acoustic version (and in my opinion and that of my neighbors in its electronic version), it needs to be installed in a suitably soundproof space.
Like any other instrument (and much of the rest of the hobbies), it is recommended to start your practice, advised by a teacher who helps speed up the learning process and eliminates possible vices and errors that, known and treated in time, will significantly improve and facilitate your practice.
How to get the level to play the drums in public
One of the main objectives of learning to play any instrument should be to perform in public and be accompanied by a band or orchestra. To achieve this objective in the shortest possible time, the following is recommended:
-Set reasonable expectations: setting out to play like Stuart Copeland* would be unrealistic and frustrating. However, aiming to play a basic rock rhythm at a moderate bpm (bits per minute or pulse measurement) in a month is a feasible and reasonable goal.
-Create a daily and varied practice routine: it is advisable to dedicate a minimum of 20 / 30 minutes every day to consolidate muscle memory. It is also necessary to practice the different areas of study offered by drums: rhythms and styles, independence, coordination,, and techniques and rudiments.
-That each practice routine is deliberate and demanding: each day, you must not only consolidate what you have previously learned but also propose an incremental objective, no matter how small. A slightly faster pace, a new technique, practicing with the less common limb, etc.
Playing the drums (like any instrument) offers a universe of possibilities, both in terms of learning styles and instrumental options. You can start with the most straightforward rhythms, rock or pop (in 4×4 time), at reasonable speeds, but you should still listen to all kinds of music and try to differentiate the rhythmic nuances between, for example, country, jazz, or funk.
With a bit of persistence and deliberate practice, you can reach a level sufficient to play the drums in a relatively short period, and you can undoubtedly learn at any time.
