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Take up drums at age 56?

I know this technically has nothing to do with high end audio but I know there are some drummers here that might be able to help me along here....or tell me to skip it altogether. And it does have to do with music.

I'm almost embarrassed to even post this. I'm 56. I have never played a musical instrument other than dabbling with a harmonica. I do not read music. I am certain that I'll never perform for anyone or play in a band.

But I've always wanted to play drums.

And now I have enough money to get a simple cheap used drum kit and I have a basement that is isolated enough to not bother the neighbors. (I actually have an acquaintance who refurbishes used drums who can probably hook me up).

So I have a couple of questions:

1) Can you teach yourself to play drums? Alone or with YouTube etc? Are actual lessons required? Can I skip the practice pad and start with a kit?

2) Is there any point? In other words, even if I were to learn to play are the drums the kind of instrument that you sit down and play for your own pleasure the way you would a guitar?

My realistic expectation is that I'd get a simple kit. Try to do something with it. Find that it is much harder to do than it looks, especially for a guy with two left feet. It sits in the basement for a while and then I sell it for a big loss but hopefully at least happy that I tried it.

Any other thoughts on the matter?

(If totally inappropriate for this site I have no problem removing the post.....especially if someone points me to a better site for the topic.)


n80
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astewart8944
499 posts
 
I encourage you to give it a rip. Making your own music can be joyful--and a bit maddening. I play the guitar and have for 40 years now. I'm probably above average. I've paid all my meaningful bills doing something else I'm much better at than guitar. Never had a lesson. My son has played the drums for the past 10 years. He is 18 years old now...and an objectively decent kit drummer. He has had serious drum lessons for most of that time. He is much better on the drum kit now than I was on the guitar at his age. The point is invest in the lessons. IMO it is your best shot at staying on the journey and actually improving (which is funner than not improving) because someone can help you correct your "non-musical" tendencies--and we all have them.
Go get 'em.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Lessons are important but practice is the real key. You should devote 2 to 3 hours daily. YouTube is amazing. If you want to get really good with technique then rudiments are a must. There is no way around it and you need discipline - devote at least 1/2 hour to rudiments daily. Top level drummers all still do rudiments daily to warm up.

If you happen to have a School of Rock in your area then join the adult band after six months of practice. This is more important than all the above.... you got to get out and play with others......that is priority #1 otherwise you will lose interest.

Check this out, I am working on it currently and I can guarantee you that you can achieve this level in 3-5 years of hard work. Producing it credibly with all the nuance however may take a multitude of life times....

http://vicfirth.com/zoro-we-want-the-funk-15/

For me, the above and the New Orleans Second Line style are the kind of  “goals”, that I work towards or aspire to

https://youtu.be/uVnm8ixW3pw

But Rock has plenty of meat and potatoes to work with on that great and wonderful journey (which never ends because there is always more to learn)...check this out, the feel of this non-technical drummer is godly...the timing follows the lead guitar and believe me time is stretched and compressed by these experts of tension and release (possibly the best rhythm section in rock n roll of all time)

https://youtu.be/n_GFN3a0yj0










bgoeller
73 posts
 
I played for more than 30 years, sometimes in a band, mostly for my own pleasure. Of course, unhesitatingly, if you want to play I encourage you to do so.

My only advice is to consider an electronic kit, and for one reason only, you can manage the volume. An acoustic kit can be loud, especially in a small space. And if you want to play along with music, that music has to be loud. I'm sure it took a toll on my hearing. 

I didn't switch to electronic until about 20 years in. No, its not the same as playing 'live' but as a drum hobbyist, it was no longer worth it to subject my ears to that sustained level of sound.

There is so much tutorial content on youtube that I would recommemd starting there instead of commiting to an instructor. If you get into it and dig it, then consider lessons, but shop around for an instructor you jive with.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
FYI the tribute to Miles Davis is evident in the Pee Wee Ellis penned Cold Sweat song.

you can hear another tribute in this JB s tune

https://youtu.be/jbWTYhTDLlk

there is a language to music and like any other language it opens many doors and insights...once you can speak the language then you will “get it”....so the effort is mind expanding or true “mind power”

https://youtu.be/YiOgPd18UmQ




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lowrider57
5,393 posts
 
I say go for acoustic drums. There's nothing else that can provide the feel, the sound and the satisfaction of striking real heads whilst  hearing and feeling the resonances and vibrations of a drum kit.

If you start with an instructor, you will be learning the rudiments, proper form, and learning to read music. After a lesson you'll be given homework which will be reviewed by your instructor at your next lesson. I'm so glad I started with an instructor, but I was a teenager.
As suggested, watch and learn from YouTube videos. The best way for you to start is to have somebody show you the basics. Most music shops will have a drummer available that you can hire for some basic lessons.

Rudiments are so important and absolutely necessary even if you're not learning to read music. You should own a practice pad in addition to your kit. Spending time on the pad is necessary to learn proper sticking, fingering, and rudiments. 

To answer an earlier question, it's loads of fun playing along to recorded music using headphones or earbuds.

It sounds like you're really interested, so don't miss this opportunity. After years of not playing, a kid in my neighborhood bought a kit and let me jam on it. I was about 40 then and it was a blast from the past.


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