I have been a drummer since 10. Played in every kind of band from country to jazz to metal to alternative and yes pop. Taught myself . I now teach on the side and see how fast the students accelerate with proper guidence so I would suggest a teacher . One caveat however ; get one that does not teach old school but rather a teacher that is still active and possibly connected to whatever genre you would like to emulate. I was a Peart fan and spent 7 years day in and day out learning his material chop for chop. This was my school . Also , metal and rock drummers typically hold their sticks straight from wrist to fingertip while many jazz drummers lay the left stick across the palm. See what feels natural to you. Good luck and stick with it . Drumming is difficult to master.
