PLEASE make sure you wear hearing protection! Reusable earplugs, stinking tissues in your ears... ANYTHING! Your ears are only good once and it even makes your drums sound better. DEWIT.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS ADVICE. I was big believer of "ear plugs are for babies" and now i have PERMANENT RINGING. If it was just hearing loss that would be one thing, but the never ending ringing is a LOT. Plugs don't make you a worse player. they don't make you a baby. sure, some of the chain smokers will laugh at you in between hacking fits. but better to have clear hearing at 35 and be made fun of a bit at 20. Yes, you will have hearing loss at only 35 without ear protection!!!!!!! this goes even FASTER if you play in a metal band or a jazz band that plays any funk! god i wish i could go back in time and tell my younger self to suck it up, get laughed at by the alcoholic in the band, and wear the plugs. and the trumpet players that wore plugs have perfect hearing still! and they are all professional studio musicians!!
I can not vouch for this enough. I drummed and gigged for far too many years without ear protection and now I have the life long joy of constant ringing thanks to tinnitus. Funny enough when I bought a set of Roland V-Drums so my neighbors would stop calling to police on me for even breathing near my set it actually has an option to emulate the sound of the drums as if you were wearing hearing protection because as you said IT MAKES YOUR DRUMS SOUND BETTER.
@@TAZo-ml6ft I would just try to make sure the earplugs are rated for the excessive noise drums can make. Good rule of thumb is to look for a noise reduction rating (NRR) of at least 10db. Even though you have earplugs in as well it’s still also important to make sure your headphones aren’t too loud as well.
@@ChampionOfSkyrim Clearly he needs to be ska fusion progressive power mathcore bluesy industrial folk metal band. Can't waste his talents on simple things.
Another tip: As someone with over a decade experience with drums, the best way to keep a pulse/beat steady is to physically groove along to it with your body - basically dance in place. Bob your head, tap your foot, wiggle your butt, whatever. This is called embodiment. Our bodies have a natural sense of rhythm, so by moving your body you can align your ears, brain, and hands to that natural sense of pulse
Yes!!! As someone who sings a lot, this helps tremendously in parts where there is no rhythmic element and that makes keeping a beat to hit the next part super easy!!
Same here. I usually "sing" the patterns out loud when I am practicing something new. Makes it easier to remember patterns and fills if you associate them into specific phrases. For example: I'd phrase a skank beat on double pedals as "do-doda" or a simple snare roll as "tatatatata".
This works with any instrument, really. I have played euphonium, tuba, and electric bass. And with all of them, I do something to get in the groove of the music. From tapping a foot to bobbing your head, anything you can do to keep a steady flow will help you.
I played bass through college in the school's jazz ensemble. The instructor would always tell the rhythm section that all you need is a hi-hat and a ride. Everything else is for more flavour.
Teachers like you are invaluable. The growth of artistic skill thrives on a base of approachably solid information AND enthusiasm. Kids who grow up in the system of "We're cramming dry info into you only because it's going to be on the test. Hope you pass." need examples of "Hey, see how cool X can be with practiced skill? Try it out, no pressure, you're allowed to have fun AND learn." My roots are in illustration, and higher education nearly sucked my soul dry until I had a teacher come along and asked me what I WANTED to draw. He let me have fun with my projects and made me remember how fun simple mark-making was once again; why I enjoyed art so much as a kid. That undercurrent of enthusiasm helped me find my current career which I've been at for 9 years. Thank you for being a good teacher. Keep being awesome! :)
me as a music sudent, or atleast someone in concert band, THIS IS SO AMAZING TO BEGINNERS, THIS IS THE EASIEST THING IVE EVER SEEN TO UNDERSTAND. AMAZING JOB MY GUY! you're magical i say
This is perfect, one of the most annoying things about learning an instrument is how so many resources try making you learn difficult stuff right off the bat rather than show you how to have fun. I almost gave up on guitar in the first couple days because Justin Guitars course tries to get you to learn chords straight away, but then a friend showed me how to read a tab and how to play a couple songs and I was hooked and excited to learn.
what i love about drums is that unlike other instruments you have the capability to fake it to you make it during rehearsals, as long as it fits the tempo
Lel seriously. Forgot to practice that song you had to? Just listen to it once and try something and usually it's cromulent enough that no one notices.
Started playing drums exactly a year ago. Man i think that was one of best decisions in my life, the journey have been so much fun thanks to the good teachers and loving community that are always there to help out!
"Rests are notes too" This entire video is filled with good information, but this in particular is a super underrated peice of advice for not just drummers but musicians in general. I have played guitar for about 6 years and am just now deciding to learn drums and I can say that one of my most valuable musical revelations was that silence is also a note. It gives a sense of space and it can add a suprising amount of color to an otherwise simple musical line. Thanks for the great video! I have a pretty good idea on how to get started now.
Your passion about music is contagious, not just about drums, but about playing instruments in general. Years ago I used to play the piano, but over time I forgot everything. After watching your videos, I bought myself a small synth piano and am trying to start again. Keep going mate!
I played a lot of drums as a kid. I got alright and even now, my rhythm kicks ass. But what killed it all for me was despite all the effort, I could never coordinate my feet with my hands. Those pedals killed me. But I appreciate this kind of rundown! It'll help a lot of people.
i've seen myself go through these steps even without your help. After playing for about 3 years, this video makes me feel like i'm on the right path with drums. Like a reassurance, thanks for this video.
I played middle school bamd percussion for four years, as the only one for most of them, amd it gave me just the worst performance anxiety to even think about playing again. I hated every second of it. However I was really good at it and still kind of am, even after a long time not playing. this channel istg is the only thing that has ever gotten me to actually want to pick playing back up again, and I'm still more than excited to learn even without a set. Thx dank
Even as someone who played drums in a band for 7 years back in high school, I guffawed out loud when you started playing the one beat over Soda City Funk. (8:32)
Oh yeah I also wanted to say: thank you for the part at the end! It’s useful even for programming drums tbh. I’ve been struggling to make engaging drum loops in Ableton because I end up making everything a big polyrhythmic melange just like I like to do with my hands. So those examples of varying drum fills over a basic template is rly useful, and a great reminder yet again that music is all about carefully picking and choosing the moments of complexity. Just like how I had to learn to create contrast by not just showing off how many stacked chords I know!
I always struggled with reading music, but your description and showcase of it helped me understand it a lot more. I struggle with moving my limbs independently so drums are a bit intense for me, but I still want to learn so I can play Clone Hero someday. That, and I really want to learn Piano.
I love the vibe of your videos. This one is exceptionally good. The _just go and have fun, fuck what the others think_ energy you bring is amazing and I wish there were more people like you.
I appreciate your teaching style in this video. Helping people get set up with the basics and how to play stuff easily and early on is key. A whole lot better than diving straight into the theory side of things
love this video. I really needed this like 17 year ago when I started playing the drums. I had the luck of a friend showing me this, but so many people don't. thanks for keeping drums fun and not getting boged down with roffle technicks and stuff, just smash some stuff mate.
Picked up an abused drum kit from the thrift store for 40 bucks, bought a bigger ride/crash for 70 online through goodwill with the stand. Done some minor work on it, but in a few weeks after I move I am gonna get it all set back up and start farming for noise complaints from my new neighbors and make sure they know that I hate me as much as they are about to hate me. I do appreciate how with a short video you finally took some of the scary out and got me an answer to how should I tune and make it sound with some solid tips for a couple of the sounds I am looking for.
Loved this, I already play drums but i can see how this would be incredibly useful and inspiring to someone wanting to take it up. One thing I'd add is, get a practice pad too, just practice keeping time to a click, cleanly separating hard hits and soft hits (dynamics), and some basic rudiments, all while your neighbors are sleeping. IT'S SO FUN! DO IT!
I was thinking drums are too complicated and stuff to learn alongside playing bass but dang half of the philosophy of bass lines is literally the same as drums. It's like a bigger, beefier, crashier bass. Wonderful
I have been a drummer for four years now. I don't need to watch this video but my god does it make me wish this video existed when I started drumming. It's so much more entertaining than what I remember starting with. It also addresses some issues I'm currently struggling with (a cromulent drum sound I don't hate) because it's very rare drum teachers will teach you how to tune, a good tuning tip is also just listen to tons of your favourite tunes or a favourite band and listen to a drum sound you like and then try to recreate it, use a reference it'll make life so much easier.
Thank you for reaffirming my belief that there is genuinely no better beginner drum book in existence than Frank Corniolas Rhythm Section drumming. I taught all my students with it.
I’ve only ever played mallet instruments in band really, but that simple drum beat over Soda City Funk has sold me, gonna see what I can do to get my little gremlin hands on a drum kit
I love this video! But one of the most important tricks is: Use hearing protection! Not only does it prevent you from all kinds of horrible ear damages but also your drums usually sound way nicer and less harsh, especially when you use the better earplugs with filters. Still, this video would've saved me a lot of time and money ~15yrs ago because most of this stuff you figure out if you play the drums for a bit and have half a brain cell but there's many people who still believe that drumming MUST be expensive to sound "really good"
As someone who has been playing most of their life and have friends ask me how to get started, i can confidently just send them this video. This was hilarious and helpful
I played drums in high school, but that was years ago. I did marching band, concert band, and jazz band in high school. Haven't played in a while. I have a drum set in my parent's house, but it won't fit in my current house. After watching your drum videos, I went out and bought a practice pad and some sticks. I'm slowly getting back in to the groove. One day, I'll get my kit from my parent's and find somewhere to keep it (maybe in a self-storage locker).
M8, ur a bloody legend. Inspired me to buy the cheapest POS ekit I could find (after thinking I’d need to spend $500+ to get started). Best decision ever!
3:45 If you can get an e-kit with USB midi you should. that way you can hook it up to your computer and play with much better sounds. I recommend BFD drums which has a free version thats great.
YES YES YES!! This is the best advice for a beginner drummer ever! I see too many beginners just buy super expensive kits, thinking they will automatically sound amazing, only to give up after a few months as they never learnt how to actually tune or how to play the basics well. It's very sad.. But great for finding a bargain on marketplace! 😅
the "snare" like sound that makes the machinery that i work from 7am to 5pm it's my inspiration to mount a gig while working listening to something energetic like the album Mirrored from Battles
As soon as I've decided to go down the drum path of music first off a joke my friend made about being a drummer for his band when I haven't even picked up sticks yet, the legend himself uploaded a beginners guide. I did decide to grab a pair of sticks on the way back home that day, and even though I'm starting from scratch I really am excited to learn. Gonna be a while before I dedicate to a kit of anysort but I've already started building a scrap 'kit' with boxes, paper and metal things just to get the practice in, and it's fun. But this guide helped alot with throwing away the intimidation of the hardware and the complexities of drumming, and it's great that you stand by just doing it, cause even junk still works.
I've been wanting to learn drums for so long so I can stop relying on midi for my music, but haven't had the money, space, or ability to have loud shit. This video has convinced me to just finally do something about that so I can actually learn.
Thanks so much this is kind of the perfect introduction for the basic things you need to know to get started, exactly what I was looking for takes a lot of pressure away from trying to understand the instrument!
Given how much gatekeeping there is around virtually everything these days, it's great to see someone who not only smashed the gates down, but is standing out the front with a loudhailer yelling "come one, come all!" at passing traffic. Excellent work. 👍
Wade inspired me to play drums 2 years ago, and now I’m playing at Eisteddfods. It doesn’t come quick (2 years and I’m still crap at some stuff), but bite the bullet. It’s worth it. If you’re struggling with mental health like I have, it’s an amazing stress reliever.
I'm not a drummer, probably never will be, and have hit a drumhead I think twice in my life? BUT, despite that, this vid really helped me with learning how to better count a beat, which has been a massive issue for me learning Piano. So yeah, cheers.
OMG At my local tip there was a drum set. Kick, 2 toms F tom, hi hats, hard ware. In good condition, in tune, had a bit of loft insulation on them so clearly when the owner cleared the attic. all for 50 quid. I was soooo tempted. Then the dank man released how to start playing the drums and now I'm really tempted. If any one can seriously answer how to not upset the neighbours. I'll head back and buy them
Was on the fence about this as I am in a transitional period; this video slapped me in the face to just get one and I have been loving it for months thank you!
Your teaching style is perfect for beginners. When I used to help beginners get into creative writing, I used to hate how some teachers would big them down with dense literature or mountains of text about literary devices from the start. It's just discouraging and daunting and exclusionary. They're hungry to create and explore and express! Give them a few basic pointers and let them fall in love with the craft before you pile on the tedious stuff. It's like trying to tell someone they need to know all the rules, history, and strategy of baseball before they play catch. Let them throw the ball first!
I was always thinking about starting to drum in my youth. Sadly I've never come through due to lack of knowledge and proper money for stuff like this... And maybe the part were my parents are living in an apartment and I would have being sent death threats from the neighbours... Anyways all I have done till now is taking some old sticks and playing along on my table with them. But anyhow... Seeing you encourage and teaching the drummer of tomorrow brings me so much joy. I ended up in a totally different kind of hobby niche and I love practising but I always have a soft spot for drumming. Wade please keep doing what you do, you really have fire in your eyes when explaining drumming and music in general. I love ya for this mate.
I have no musical ambitions but I'm starting college again this fall (third time's the charm, hopefully, after starting and stopping to constantly pivot over the last 15 years). I really hope even just one of my professors are as enthusiastic as you are. You're doing what you love, so that also helps, but you're also great at trimming the fat and teaching the essentials for beginners, making an approach to something new (anything new) less scary. I think I picked a major that doesn't require mathematics, the bane of my existence, but if somehow I do need to take a class for it, I hope they're as easy to understand as you are 😅
I'd always had a passing interest in learning the drums, but having grown up with someone who played the drums I was a little intimidated. Like, dude knew how to read sheet music and how to translate it into drums. That's fucking magic to me.
I’ve been playing drums for about five months, got my grandfathers old kit sans cymbals and stands. So I had to save up and buy my own stands and cymbals, but I didn’t know where to set them up. So now there’s a drum kit in my bedroom I navigate around to take a piss at night. Also, I still can’t afford a tom rack, so for now the high toms have been replaced by a detuned snare off to the side, which sounds surprisingly similar. Edit: it’s been 11 months. Still have shit cymbals and no tom rack but I’ve discovered that I can use a broken snare stand to hold a high tom.
I haven’t touched a drum set in over 5 years and I’ve been feeling the itch again. Thank you for a great reminder that it can be done on a budget! Hopefully soon I’ll be back to it
Hell yes! I will always maintain that the best basic tutorial is what enables you to have fun soonest. Yeah, if you wanna get technical and serious with it then technique and theory lessons are gonna be important. But the best hobbies are the ones you start and feel driven to improve on out of love and enjoyment.
This video would have been so helpful when I started drumming. It's been a few years since I've been able to play consistently, but when I can afford to do so I will be converting my shed into a drum room with the cheapest second hand drums I can get. Thanks for the content and inspiration Dank!
my order of priority when upgrading (because they are very personal each drummer to its own): 1. drum sticks (size, material, length, added features, etc) 2. snare drum (get a premium one, it is waaay easier to tune and versatile for most modern genres) 3. kick pedal (in my case, i prefer long boards and stability when bouncing is important) 4. drum stool (best position and support will make performance better) 5. hi hats (it is where most tempo foundation are laid) 6. hi hat stand (get a good one, because i play my left foot so much) those are it, other stuffs i can get when i have more money, because other stuff i can adjust to my play style relatively easier than those 6. e.g bass drum tone can be adjusted with pillows and clothes, tom tones can be adjusted with duck tape dampening, and if other cymbals are still brass, i just need to hit them as hard as i can (vs bronze alloy cymbals) lol
I love that even as a currently not-drummer but loving drums, is that I get the "err" part even outside the drumming context. It's just exactly what it is. Tighten a screw and then give it another "err" or *Tire skid noise" or two more and you know exactly what that means.
Video idea. Make a "PSA/dedicated video" about hearing protection. I think you really could change people's live's for the better if you do that. Like go over what hearing protection does, how it does it, different types and that hearing protection does not have to look dumb on your head to protect your hearing (I saw your comment and it gave me diz idea). With your reach and actual respect on YT right now I think you will make some people start using hearing protection. I know you probably have at least ten other ideas in the works right now, just throwing it out there mate. Really cool video, love it as always! From a fellow drummer.
Thank you for talking about making lessons fun. The drum teacher I had in middle school was all rudiments. I didn't care about triple-ratamacues, I just wanted to play my favorite songs, though i will admit I wasn't the greatest student.
I finally got my first kit this week. An e kit, but a kit nonetheless. I’ve been waiting for this for over 20 years since I was a kid and fell in love with bands like slipknot, read about drumming in my brother’s metal magazines and saw his drums in the garage. My entire life drums have been a huge passion of mine and I never had the chance to start outside of sticks and a practice pad until now. Just wish I didn’t let my parents make me settle on a guitar as a teenager.
The world needs more people demystifying music. I wanted to be a musician my whole life, but I waited until I was in my 20s before I really started. Partially because I was INCREDIBLY intimidated by music theory, and all the unspoken rules musicians seemed to have, and all the gatekeeping that happens. Now I’m in my 30s and I’ve toured to nearly every corner of the USA playing in at least a half dozen bands, and I’m moderately proficient at a wide range of instruments. Did I suck at first? YES, _GOD YES._ But I pushed through, annoyed a bunch of roommates, assaulted a bunch of ears, and now I’m pretty okay. Or at least good enough where I’m confident I can learn to be good enough to play in front of an audience with a little bit of elbow grease and moxie.
I have no desire to learn the drums at all. I still watched this entire thing and learned a lot. You're a pretty good teacher for how I learn. Thanks for sharing and please keep sharing your passion, it's inspiring.
I've just been in love with your flow (not specifically this vid). But just the confidence and small creative hits just activates a couple dopamine receptors that i forgot were there.
you a few months ago saying that new drummers should just play along to songs they like was amazing advice, ive just been playing along to sepultura and korn and shit is unbelievably fun even if i dont have a double bass pedal and I can barely play an even cymbal pattern
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
PLEASE make sure you wear hearing protection! Reusable earplugs, stinking tissues in your ears... ANYTHING!
Your ears are only good once and it even makes your drums sound better. DEWIT.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS ADVICE. I was big believer of "ear plugs are for babies" and now i have PERMANENT RINGING. If it was just hearing loss that would be one thing, but the never ending ringing is a LOT. Plugs don't make you a worse player. they don't make you a baby. sure, some of the chain smokers will laugh at you in between hacking fits. but better to have clear hearing at 35 and be made fun of a bit at 20. Yes, you will have hearing loss at only 35 without ear protection!!!!!!! this goes even FASTER if you play in a metal band or a jazz band that plays any funk! god i wish i could go back in time and tell my younger self to suck it up, get laughed at by the alcoholic in the band, and wear the plugs. and the trumpet players that wore plugs have perfect hearing still! and they are all professional studio musicians!!
I can not vouch for this enough. I drummed and gigged for far too many years without ear protection and now I have the life long joy of constant ringing thanks to tinnitus. Funny enough when I bought a set of Roland V-Drums so my neighbors would stop calling to police on me for even breathing near my set it actually has an option to emulate the sound of the drums as if you were wearing hearing protection because as you said IT MAKES YOUR DRUMS SOUND BETTER.
and if you play with others, try to get them to wear hearing protection as well. if they don't, try to control your volume.
I use ear plugs and headphones, but my ears still ring, I hope it’s only temporary
@@TAZo-ml6ft I would just try to make sure the earplugs are rated for the excessive noise drums can make. Good rule of thumb is to look for a noise reduction rating (NRR) of at least 10db. Even though you have earplugs in as well it’s still also important to make sure your headphones aren’t too loud as well.
Mate this is exactly what I’ve been needing, you’re the reason I got my drum kit, and now you’re setting me up to be the best worst drummer
congratulations, now your neighbors hate you
Now you just need a snake and a few nuggets and you can start your own amazing RUclips channel!
If you really wanna become the best worst drummer, you gotta start a ska fusion power metal band clearly
@@ChampionOfSkyrim Clearly he needs to be ska fusion progressive power mathcore bluesy industrial folk metal band. Can't waste his talents on simple things.
Cool, good luck! 🙂
The hard part is not buying a drum kit, it's finding out where you can play in peace
Another tip: As someone with over a decade experience with drums, the best way to keep a pulse/beat steady is to physically groove along to it with your body - basically dance in place. Bob your head, tap your foot, wiggle your butt, whatever. This is called embodiment. Our bodies have a natural sense of rhythm, so by moving your body you can align your ears, brain, and hands to that natural sense of pulse
Yes!!! As someone who sings a lot, this helps tremendously in parts where there is no rhythmic element and that makes keeping a beat to hit the next part super easy!!
that's sounds like a great advice, thanks dude!
Same here. I usually "sing" the patterns out loud when I am practicing something new.
Makes it easier to remember patterns and fills if you associate them into specific phrases.
For example: I'd phrase a skank beat on double pedals as "do-doda" or a simple snare roll as "tatatatata".
Also start with prog or jazz. They only have 4 letters in their names so it’s easy
This works with any instrument, really. I have played euphonium, tuba, and electric bass. And with all of them, I do something to get in the groove of the music. From tapping a foot to bobbing your head, anything you can do to keep a steady flow will help you.
I played bass through college in the school's jazz ensemble. The instructor would always tell the rhythm section that all you need is a hi-hat and a ride. Everything else is for more flavour.
Thats mostly for jazz- rock's basically the same but its bass snare and hats instead
Mate please keep doing this! A tutorial series from you would be a gift from heaven!
You are so generous with your knowledge. If more people did half as much to pass on what they know to others the world would be a much better place
Teachers like you are invaluable. The growth of artistic skill thrives on a base of approachably solid information AND enthusiasm. Kids who grow up in the system of "We're cramming dry info into you only because it's going to be on the test. Hope you pass." need examples of "Hey, see how cool X can be with practiced skill? Try it out, no pressure, you're allowed to have fun AND learn."
My roots are in illustration, and higher education nearly sucked my soul dry until I had a teacher come along and asked me what I WANTED to draw. He let me have fun with my projects and made me remember how fun simple mark-making was once again; why I enjoyed art so much as a kid. That undercurrent of enthusiasm helped me find my current career which I've been at for 9 years.
Thank you for being a good teacher. Keep being awesome! :)
me as a music sudent, or atleast someone in concert band, THIS IS SO AMAZING TO BEGINNERS, THIS IS THE EASIEST THING IVE EVER SEEN TO UNDERSTAND.
AMAZING JOB MY GUY!
you're magical i say
As someone who wants to get better at adding drums to the music I make, this is invaluable 👀
This is perfect, one of the most annoying things about learning an instrument is how so many resources try making you learn difficult stuff right off the bat rather than show you how to have fun. I almost gave up on guitar in the first couple days because Justin Guitars course tries to get you to learn chords straight away, but then a friend showed me how to read a tab and how to play a couple songs and I was hooked and excited to learn.
what i love about drums is that unlike other instruments you have the capability to fake it to you make it during rehearsals, as long as it fits the tempo
Lel seriously. Forgot to practice that song you had to? Just listen to it once and try something and usually it's cromulent enough that no one notices.
HI KING GIZZARD
Dude I’ve been playing drums since the start of this year and I’ve never even thought of playing along to my Spotify playlist. You bloody genius.
thats like all i want to do i swear lmao my biggest motivation for maybe starting drumming
Love how casually you went from talking about poo rolled in sprinkles a month ago to playing drums guide
Finally, another drum video I'll rewatch 10 times despite not playing the drums and not having any plans to ever do so.
A lot of this is useful for programming drum loops in drum machines or DAWs too!
Even with 15 years under my belt I needed to hear this. Sometimes you find yourself forgetting to just have fun with it!
Started playing drums exactly a year ago. Man i think that was one of best decisions in my life, the journey have been so much fun thanks to the good teachers and loving community that are always there to help out!
"Rests are notes too"
This entire video is filled with good information, but this in particular is a super underrated peice of advice for not just drummers but musicians in general. I have played guitar for about 6 years and am just now deciding to learn drums and I can say that one of my most valuable musical revelations was that silence is also a note. It gives a sense of space and it can add a suprising amount of color to an otherwise simple musical line. Thanks for the great video! I have a pretty good idea on how to get started now.
Your passion about music is contagious, not just about drums, but about playing instruments in general. Years ago I used to play the piano, but over time I forgot everything. After watching your videos, I bought myself a small synth piano and am trying to start again. Keep going mate!
I played a lot of drums as a kid. I got alright and even now, my rhythm kicks ass. But what killed it all for me was despite all the effort, I could never coordinate my feet with my hands. Those pedals killed me. But I appreciate this kind of rundown! It'll help a lot of people.
cant believe im getting a drum lesson from dankpod
i've seen myself go through these steps even without your help. After playing for about 3 years, this video makes me feel like i'm on the right path with drums. Like a reassurance, thanks for this video.
I played middle school bamd percussion for four years, as the only one for most of them, amd it gave me just the worst performance anxiety to even think about playing again. I hated every second of it. However I was really good at it and still kind of am, even after a long time not playing. this channel istg is the only thing that has ever gotten me to actually want to pick playing back up again, and I'm still more than excited to learn even without a set. Thx dank
Even as someone who played drums in a band for 7 years back in high school, I guffawed out loud when you started playing the one beat over Soda City Funk. (8:32)
Oh yeah I also wanted to say: thank you for the part at the end! It’s useful even for programming drums tbh.
I’ve been struggling to make engaging drum loops in Ableton because I end up making everything a big polyrhythmic melange just like I like to do with my hands. So those examples of varying drum fills over a basic template is rly useful, and a great reminder yet again that music is all about carefully picking and choosing the moments of complexity. Just like how I had to learn to create contrast by not just showing off how many stacked chords I know!
I always struggled with reading music, but your description and showcase of it helped me understand it a lot more. I struggle with moving my limbs independently so drums are a bit intense for me, but I still want to learn so I can play Clone Hero someday. That, and I really want to learn Piano.
Love that Bozzio's kit got thrown in there for a split second lol. Great video as always Sir!
I love the vibe of your videos.
This one is exceptionally good.
The _just go and have fun, fuck what the others think_ energy you bring is amazing and I wish there were more people like you.
that take on me cover is one of the most beautiful things i have ever experienced in my life 😭💗
I appreciate your teaching style in this video. Helping people get set up with the basics and how to play stuff easily and early on is key. A whole lot better than diving straight into the theory side of things
me who listens to that toddler playing at the start and go, dude! this guy is a awesome jazz drummer!
@0:47 Jesus Wade go easy, some of us are watching at work
love this video. I really needed this like 17 year ago when I started playing the drums. I had the luck of a friend showing me this, but so many people don't. thanks for keeping drums fun and not getting boged down with roffle technicks and stuff, just smash some stuff mate.
That little flash of Bozzio at the end of the list of drummers.... classic!
2:54 actually the most relatable thing ever
Been drumming for 10 years and I am watching this to teach my friends, good video 👍🏻
Picked up an abused drum kit from the thrift store for 40 bucks, bought a bigger ride/crash for 70 online through goodwill with the stand. Done some minor work on it, but in a few weeks after I move I am gonna get it all set back up and start farming for noise complaints from my new neighbors and make sure they know that I hate me as much as they are about to hate me.
I do appreciate how with a short video you finally took some of the scary out and got me an answer to how should I tune and make it sound with some solid tips for a couple of the sounds I am looking for.
Loved this, I already play drums but i can see how this would be incredibly useful and inspiring to someone wanting to take it up. One thing I'd add is, get a practice pad too, just practice keeping time to a click, cleanly separating hard hits and soft hits (dynamics), and some basic rudiments, all while your neighbors are sleeping. IT'S SO FUN! DO IT!
Wade makes something informational and boring things into something funny to watch and yet Informational
That's why I love his content ❤
I was thinking drums are too complicated and stuff to learn alongside playing bass but dang half of the philosophy of bass lines is literally the same as drums. It's like a bigger, beefier, crashier bass. Wonderful
I have been a drummer for four years now. I don't need to watch this video but my god does it make me wish this video existed when I started drumming. It's so much more entertaining than what I remember starting with. It also addresses some issues I'm currently struggling with (a cromulent drum sound I don't hate) because it's very rare drum teachers will teach you how to tune, a good tuning tip is also just listen to tons of your favourite tunes or a favourite band and listen to a drum sound you like and then try to recreate it, use a reference it'll make life so much easier.
Thank you for reaffirming my belief that there is genuinely no better beginner drum book in existence than Frank Corniolas Rhythm Section drumming.
I taught all my students with it.
I’ve only ever played mallet instruments in band really, but that simple drum beat over Soda City Funk has sold me, gonna see what I can do to get my little gremlin hands on a drum kit
I love this video! But one of the most important tricks is: Use hearing protection!
Not only does it prevent you from all kinds of horrible ear damages but also your drums usually sound way nicer and less harsh, especially when you use the better earplugs with filters.
Still, this video would've saved me a lot of time and money ~15yrs ago because most of this stuff you figure out if you play the drums for a bit and have half a brain cell but there's many people who still believe that drumming MUST be expensive to sound "really good"
As someone who has been playing most of their life and have friends ask me how to get started, i can confidently just send them this video. This was hilarious and helpful
I played drums in high school, but that was years ago. I did marching band, concert band, and jazz band in high school. Haven't played in a while. I have a drum set in my parent's house, but it won't fit in my current house. After watching your drum videos, I went out and bought a practice pad and some sticks. I'm slowly getting back in to the groove. One day, I'll get my kit from my parent's and find somewhere to keep it (maybe in a self-storage locker).
M8, ur a bloody legend. Inspired me to buy the cheapest POS ekit I could find (after thinking I’d need to spend $500+ to get started). Best decision ever!
3:45 If you can get an e-kit with USB midi you should. that way you can hook it up to your computer and play with much better sounds. I recommend BFD drums which has a free version thats great.
0:47 *sweating profusely*
YES YES YES!! This is the best advice for a beginner drummer ever!
I see too many beginners just buy super expensive kits, thinking they will automatically sound amazing, only to give up after a few months as they never learnt how to actually tune or how to play the basics well. It's very sad..
But great for finding a bargain on marketplace! 😅
have i been playing drums for 8 years? yes. will i still watch this video to completion? absolutely.
the "snare" like sound that makes the machinery that i work from 7am to 5pm it's my inspiration to mount a gig while working listening to something energetic like the album Mirrored from Battles
As soon as I've decided to go down the drum path of music first off a joke my friend made about being a drummer for his band when I haven't even picked up sticks yet, the legend himself uploaded a beginners guide.
I did decide to grab a pair of sticks on the way back home that day, and even though I'm starting from scratch I really am excited to learn. Gonna be a while before I dedicate to a kit of anysort but I've already started building a scrap 'kit' with boxes, paper and metal things just to get the practice in, and it's fun.
But this guide helped alot with throwing away the intimidation of the hardware and the complexities of drumming, and it's great that you stand by just doing it, cause even junk still works.
I've been wanting to learn drums for so long so I can stop relying on midi for my music, but haven't had the money, space, or ability to have loud shit. This video has convinced me to just finally do something about that so I can actually learn.
Mr. Wade never shorten your videos, we love the long ones
Thanks so much this is kind of the perfect introduction for the basic things you need to know to get started, exactly what I was looking for takes a lot of pressure away from trying to understand the instrument!
Listening to music that has drums also helps. Gives you fills and beats you can steal for yourself.
Been watching for years got a thrashed kit for pretty cheap. Turned out phenomenal!
Given how much gatekeeping there is around virtually everything these days, it's great to see someone who not only smashed the gates down, but is standing out the front with a loudhailer yelling "come one, come all!" at passing traffic. Excellent work. 👍
Only a madman with experience can make a 101 this condensed and easy to understand without excess filler.
Wade inspired me to play drums 2 years ago, and now I’m playing at Eisteddfods. It doesn’t come quick (2 years and I’m still crap at some stuff), but bite the bullet. It’s worth it. If you’re struggling with mental health like I have, it’s an amazing stress reliever.
I'm not a drummer, probably never will be, and have hit a drumhead I think twice in my life?
BUT, despite that, this vid really helped me with learning how to better count a beat, which has been a massive issue for me learning Piano.
So yeah, cheers.
When I was 8 I used to play on my uncles drumkit, he would join me with the bass, love my uncle.
OMG At my local tip there was a drum set. Kick, 2 toms F tom, hi hats, hard ware. In good condition, in tune, had a bit of loft insulation on them so clearly when the owner cleared the attic. all for 50 quid. I was soooo tempted. Then the dank man released how to start playing the drums and now I'm really tempted.
If any one can seriously answer how to not upset the neighbours. I'll head back and buy them
Was on the fence about this as I am in a transitional period; this video slapped me in the face to just get one and I have been loving it for months thank you!
Your teaching style is perfect for beginners. When I used to help beginners get into creative writing, I used to hate how some teachers would big them down with dense literature or mountains of text about literary devices from the start. It's just discouraging and daunting and exclusionary.
They're hungry to create and explore and express! Give them a few basic pointers and let them fall in love with the craft before you pile on the tedious stuff. It's like trying to tell someone they need to know all the rules, history, and strategy of baseball before they play catch. Let them throw the ball first!
I was always thinking about starting to drum in my youth.
Sadly I've never come through due to lack of knowledge and proper money for stuff like this... And maybe the part were my parents are living in an apartment and I would have being sent death threats from the neighbours...
Anyways all I have done till now is taking some old sticks and playing along on my table with them.
But anyhow... Seeing you encourage and teaching the drummer of tomorrow brings me so much joy.
I ended up in a totally different kind of hobby niche and I love practising but I always have a soft spot for drumming.
Wade please keep doing what you do, you really have fire in your eyes when explaining drumming and music in general. I love ya for this mate.
I have no musical ambitions but I'm starting college again this fall (third time's the charm, hopefully, after starting and stopping to constantly pivot over the last 15 years). I really hope even just one of my professors are as enthusiastic as you are. You're doing what you love, so that also helps, but you're also great at trimming the fat and teaching the essentials for beginners, making an approach to something new (anything new) less scary. I think I picked a major that doesn't require mathematics, the bane of my existence, but if somehow I do need to take a class for it, I hope they're as easy to understand as you are 😅
Bought a drum set today, set it up and this video had just been released. The stars have aligned
I'd always had a passing interest in learning the drums, but having grown up with someone who played the drums I was a little intimidated. Like, dude knew how to read sheet music and how to translate it into drums. That's fucking magic to me.
No matter how good I am at the drums I will always and ALWAYS watch this video.
I’ve been playing drums for about five months, got my grandfathers old kit sans cymbals and stands. So I had to save up and buy my own stands and cymbals, but I didn’t know where to set them up. So now there’s a drum kit in my bedroom I navigate around to take a piss at night. Also, I still can’t afford a tom rack, so for now the high toms have been replaced by a detuned snare off to the side, which sounds surprisingly similar.
Edit: it’s been 11 months. Still have shit cymbals and no tom rack but I’ve discovered that I can use a broken snare stand to hold a high tom.
I have been playing for over 5 years and still watched this all the way through. Definitely gonna try the bass drum tuning method.
Thank you for this video, Wade. As a beginner, I find this extremely helpful.
Amazing beginner's guide, even for intermediates this video was cool to watch and your vibe always helps.
I haven’t touched a drum set in over 5 years and I’ve been feeling the itch again. Thank you for a great reminder that it can be done on a budget! Hopefully soon I’ll be back to it
Hell yes! I will always maintain that the best basic tutorial is what enables you to have fun soonest. Yeah, if you wanna get technical and serious with it then technique and theory lessons are gonna be important. But the best hobbies are the ones you start and feel driven to improve on out of love and enjoyment.
This video would have been so helpful when I started drumming.
It's been a few years since I've been able to play consistently, but when I can afford to do so I will be converting my shed into a drum room with the cheapest second hand drums I can get. Thanks for the content and inspiration Dank!
my order of priority when upgrading (because they are very personal each drummer to its own):
1. drum sticks (size, material, length, added features, etc)
2. snare drum (get a premium one, it is waaay easier to tune and versatile for most modern genres)
3. kick pedal (in my case, i prefer long boards and stability when bouncing is important)
4. drum stool (best position and support will make performance better)
5. hi hats (it is where most tempo foundation are laid)
6. hi hat stand (get a good one, because i play my left foot so much)
those are it, other stuffs i can get when i have more money,
because other stuff i can adjust to my play style relatively easier than those 6. e.g bass drum tone can be adjusted with pillows and clothes, tom tones can be adjusted with duck tape dampening, and if other cymbals are still brass, i just need to hit them as hard as i can (vs bronze alloy cymbals) lol
I love that even as a currently not-drummer but loving drums, is that I get the "err" part even outside the drumming context. It's just exactly what it is. Tighten a screw and then give it another "err" or *Tire skid noise" or two more and you know exactly what that means.
Video idea. Make a "PSA/dedicated video" about hearing protection. I think you really could change people's live's for the better if you do that. Like go over what hearing protection does, how it does it, different types and that hearing protection does not have to look dumb on your head to protect your hearing (I saw your comment and it gave me diz idea).
With your reach and actual respect on YT right now I think you will make some people start using hearing protection. I know you probably have at least ten other ideas in the works right now, just throwing it out there mate. Really cool video, love it as always! From a fellow drummer.
Thank you for talking about making lessons fun. The drum teacher I had in middle school was all rudiments. I didn't care about triple-ratamacues, I just wanted to play my favorite songs, though i will admit I wasn't the greatest student.
I finally got my first kit this week. An e kit, but a kit nonetheless. I’ve been waiting for this for over 20 years since I was a kid and fell in love with bands like slipknot, read about drumming in my brother’s metal magazines and saw his drums in the garage. My entire life drums have been a huge passion of mine and I never had the chance to start outside of sticks and a practice pad until now. Just wish I didn’t let my parents make me settle on a guitar as a teenager.
I like the humour and joie de vivre.
And the way you make it look easy and fun.
This is actually helping. Even though i’m broke and cant afford even a set of sticks, this helps in just “pretend drumming”. I can’t kick-drum right.
I'm already a drummer but it's still really fun to hear you teach about drums 10/10 would watch again
The most inspirational video I've ever seen. Absolutely brilliant
The world needs more people demystifying music. I wanted to be a musician my whole life, but I waited until I was in my 20s before I really started. Partially because I was INCREDIBLY intimidated by music theory, and all the unspoken rules musicians seemed to have, and all the gatekeeping that happens.
Now I’m in my 30s and I’ve toured to nearly every corner of the USA playing in at least a half dozen bands, and I’m moderately proficient at a wide range of instruments.
Did I suck at first? YES, _GOD YES._ But I pushed through, annoyed a bunch of roommates, assaulted a bunch of ears, and now I’m pretty okay. Or at least good enough where I’m confident I can learn to be good enough to play in front of an audience with a little bit of elbow grease and moxie.
I have no desire to learn the drums at all. I still watched this entire thing and learned a lot. You're a pretty good teacher for how I learn. Thanks for sharing and please keep sharing your passion, it's inspiring.
I've just been in love with your flow (not specifically this vid). But just the confidence and small creative hits just activates a couple dopamine receptors that i forgot were there.
I got back into drumming a few years ago cause of you. (Got an old kit from a college friend) Such fun when I can make noise.
I play woodwinds a little and hearing percussion intro make me smile
This is the intro to drums I need. I’ve been thinking about a kit. I’ve been drumming a little a while. Now I can finally dive in. Cheers Wade!
1:58 Terry Bozzio's setup looks like something out of Animusic!
Thank you for using the word cromulent in a sentence, it did not go unnoticed.
Been playing drums for nearly 15 years and I naturally watched all of this because you made it 👍
As somebody who's been drumming for 6 years I needed this
I barely knew what a Tom was but after watching this video I'm now the drummer for Dream Theater. Thanks Dank!
you a few months ago saying that new drummers should just play along to songs they like was amazing advice, ive just been playing along to sepultura and korn and shit is unbelievably fun even if i dont have a double bass pedal and I can barely play an even cymbal pattern
Mate you're coming in clutch! I was planning to start drumming a week ago and this is what I see today? I must be dreaming!