Drumming is a dynamic and engaging hobby that can bring joy and rhythm to your life. It’s not only a great way to express yourself creatively, but it also has numerous health benefits such as improving coordination, reducing stress, and boosting brain power. To get started, all you need is a pair of drumsticks (or kitchen utensils), a practice pad (or a pillow), and a passion for rhythm.
Drumming
as a hobby
AKA: Percussion
Reviewed by:
Categories: Musical Instruments
Tags: Sleeping Well
Helpful content to get started
The page is curated to inspire and help you get started with drumming as a hobby.
Overwhelmed? Play a random video or podcast to start getting familiar with drumming.
We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment. Refer to the listed resources for further research.
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“…drumming was the most broadly health promoting mode of music participation.”
Performing arts as a health resource? An umbrella review of the health impacts of music and dance participation | PLOS One
Terms
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Beat: The basic rhythmic pattern of a song or a measure. It is usually played by the bass drum and the snare drum.
- Fill: A short musical phrase that breaks up the beat and adds variety or excitement. It is usually played by the toms and the cymbals.
- Flam: A rudiment that consists of two notes played almost simultaneously, with one hand playing slightly before the other.
- Ghost Note: A note that is played very softly, often on the snare drum, to add texture and complexity to the groove.
- Groove: The overall feel or style of a drum part. It is influenced by the tempo, dynamics, accents, and syncopation of the beat and the fill.
- Paradiddle: A rudiment that consists of a four-note pattern of single and double strokes (RLRR or LRLL).
- Rimshot: A technique where the drumstick hits the drumhead and the rim at the same time, producing a loud, sharp sound.
- Rudiment: A fundamental drumming technique that consists of a combination of strokes, such as single, double, or triple. There are 40 official rudiments that every drummer should learn and practice.
- Stickings: The specific sequence of left and right hand strokes used to play a drum pattern or rudiment.
- Swing: A style of drumming where the eighth notes are played with a long-short pattern, giving the music a swinging feel.
- Tempo: The speed of the music, usually measured in beats per minute (BPM).
- Time Signature: The number of beats in each measure and the type of note that gets one beat, usually written as a fraction (e.g., 4/4, 3/4, 6/8).
More terms: 100+ Drum Terms: A Beginner’s List – Drumeo Beat
Term Videos
First Steps
How to break the ice and make a start. One Aha! moment is all you need.
- You can find an in-person trial drum lesson near you.
- If this is not possible, or you prefer to start on your own, you can:
- Try virtual drumming for quick and fun tasting (you can use a computer keyboard or your phone touch screen).
- Grab kitchen utensils and practice on a pillow.
- Buy drumsticks and a practice pad and follow a practice pad workout (Practice pads continue to be useful even after moving to a drum set).
- Consider buying air drumsticks. They will allow you to experience drumming without actual drums. Sure, it isn’t exactly like the real thing, but air drumsticks are cheaper than a drum set, require no space, and make no noise.
- Buy an affordable drum set, and follow YouTube tutorials or courses.
💡 Tip: If you have a video game console, consider playing rhythm games.
First Steps Videos
Products
Essentials to have.
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How-Tos
Step-by-step tutorials.
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Books
Get read-y.
Articles
Further reading.
Video Articles
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Websites
Go-tos for information.
- Drummer News, Stories, Reviews | Modern Drummer Magazine
- Free Online Drum Magazine | The Beat | Drumeo
Virtual Drumming
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Movies & TV
Nothing like a good film or a show for inspiration.
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FAQS
Get a clue.
Q: Can I start learning drumming without a drum kit?
A: Yes. You can practice on a pillow or a practice pad. Practice pads continue to be useful even after moving to a drum set.
Another option is air drumsticks, which mimic an actual drum set. They require no space and make no noise.
Q: How quiet are electronic drum sets?
A: Electronic drum sets are quieter than acoustic drum sets, but they are not silent. Some are quieter than others and should be quiet enough not to interrupt the neighbors.
If you need to be even quieter, consider air drumsticks.
Q: How can I practice drumming without interrupting the neighbors?
A: You can use a pillow, a quiet practice pad, air drumsticks, or a quiet electronic drum set. You can also use silicone tips to mute your drumsticks.
If you have a video game console, rhythm games are a great way to experiment with drumming while controlling the noise.
Q: How expensive is a drum set?
A: You can get a decent beginner drum set for around $300.
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Apps
Smart start.
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Courses
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Community & Near You
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Tips
Additional advice for beginners.
- If you have a video game console, consider playing rhythm games.
- Some public libraries have practice electronic drum kits.
Video Tips
Additional Information
Hobby attributes.
| Attributes | Value |
|---|---|
| Activities | Creating, Exercising, Learning, Performing, Playing, Relaxing, Socializing |
| Fields | |
| Locations | |
| Participants | |
| Skills | Active Listening, Agility, Attention to Detail, Communication, Concentration, Creativity, Fine Motor Skills, Hand-eye Coordination, Memory, Mindfulness, Motor Coordination, Multitasking, Musical Ability, Physical Fitness, Self-esteem |
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