Get to Know the Instruments

Before you can play, get familiar with the most common drum kit pieces and the type of sound they generate.

How to Hold the Drum Sticks

There are two ways:

Beginners Steps

Step 1: Get in Rhythm

Use your hands for now to learn drum kit rhythms. Listen to music with clear rhythms and mimic that on the drum, your table or thighs. Start with a simple rhythm so you can get the hang of it.

Step 2: Quarter notes

There are several ways to learn a musical bar, but the simplest is the 4/4 time signature. The 4/4 has four beats per measure.

Step 3: Practice 8 note counting

Every quarter note is comprised of two 8 notes. Tap the quarter note beat with one hand and the 8 notes on a similar beat. Now you count aloud “1 and 2 and 3” and so on. Keep it as consistent as possible.

Step 4: Use your other hand

Keep tapping with one hand and count to 8 notes. When you say 2 and 4, tap the drum (or your thigh if you’re practicing that way) with your other hand. This will help you when drumming the snare.

Step 5: Practice the downbeat

Continue tapping with your two hands, but when you say 1 or 3, tap your left or right foot. This is the downbeat and is what you’ll do with the bass drum.

Step 6: Learn to use the metronome

Practicing with a metronome is the quickest way you’ll learn to play the drums. With this you’ll find it easier to learn tempo. You can find a metronome in music stores and recorded versions online.

Step 7: Play the kit

Now that you’ve practiced with your hands, it’s time to do the same on your drum. Hold the sticks, hit the 2 and 4 on the snare and play the hi hat. Use your foot on the bass drum pedal for the 1 and 3.

Step 8: Practice the hi hat pedal

Practice closing the hi hat using your left foot when you hit it as it generates a short, unique sound. This is how you’ll play the hi hat most of the time.

Use your right hand to play straight 8 notes and use your left to strike the snare on 2 and 4. Raise your foot from the hi hat every now and then until you get used to it. Hit the hi hat in various locations, open a bit, all the way, hit the bell or the outer rim and listen to the various sounds.

Step 9: Improve your footwork

Work on the bass drum rhythm as you strike the hi hat. Play with your right foot and right hand simultaneously. You can also try left hand freestyle to strengthen your muscles and get used to the rhythm.

Step 10: Experiment and switch

When you study how to play the drums step by step, it’s important you don’t become predictable. For instance rather than hit the snare on the 2 and 4, strike the hi hat. Raise your right hand from the hi hat and use your left to strike the snare.

As you practice keep counting aloud “1 E and 2 E and 3 E and 4 E” and so on. Hit the hi hat as you say “1 and 2 and 3 and 4” then hit the snare when you say “E” and “and”.

Step 11: Stay relax

Don’t let yourself get tensed. Stay relax and just focus on the rhythm and count. If you’re feeling tension slow the metronome down a little.

Step 12: Single and double stroke

If you want to do complex drums, practice the single and double stroke. You should also work on the 26 American drum rudiments. Keep doing this and you’ll learn how to do triple and quadruple stroke patterns too.

Step 13: Use your feet

Step 14: Triplets

You have to focus on half notes when it comes to quarter notes. Count 1-la-le in the half note space. This the same for eight note triplets, but 3 notes split inside the quarter note space.

Step 15:  16^th notes

16^th notes are the same thing you play while learning to move your hands in opposing ways. The count is one trip let and trip let, two trip let and trip let, and so on.

Step 16: 32^nd notes

32^nd note triplets are too rapid to say aloud and need a lot of subdivision counting. Just listen to “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix and you’ll get an idea of what 32^nd notes sound like.

It takes time to learn the 32^nd notes because you have to play evenly. You have to play the exact notes and produce identical sounds with both hands.

Step 17: Practice more intricate rhythms

When drumming notes, keep in mind all the subdivisions must match the metronome time. Every click is a quarter beat so it’s not going to be difficult to keep pace. As long as the numbers you count match the metronome clicks, you’ll be doing fine. Keep this up and you’ll learn to play faster.

Step 18: Use the rest

Next time you listen to your favorite tune, use the 16^th or 8^th note count subdivision and you’ll realize that songs have spaces in the fills where there’s silence as you count. That is the rest.

Step 19: Subdivide rests and beats

Use your snare drum to subdivide beats and rests. Your objective is to produce sounds evenly with your hands. When you make a normal stroke or an accented note with your right hand, it should sound the same with your left hand. The reverse should be true as well.

An accented stroke is when you hit the drum with more force compared to the other strokes.   Accent strokes are often done on the drum’s rim and symbolized by the > sign.

Step 20: How to play fills

A fill is used to put some style to the music. Fills usually occur between beats on the cymbals and toms. Start with a simple beat like the following.

Step 21: Keep practicing

The more you play, the more you’ll learn how to do complex fills, beats and rhythms. There is no substitute for putting in the hours of practice, but it is just as important to know and use the right techniques.

Beginners’ Guide to Playing Drums Video

Here is a video showing how to play drums:

How to Tune a Drum Kit

Knowing how to learn drums for beginners is just one aspect, as you must also know how to tune a drum kit. The good thing is tuning one drum is the same as the others, though it will take more than a few tries to find the tone you’re looking for.

Step 1. Seat the drum head onto the shell

Before you set the head onto the drum, make certain to wipe it clean the head and rim.

Step 2. Set the drum head on the drum

Follow the instructions on your drum kit guide.

Step 3. Screw in the tension rods

Screw the tension rod tight, but not too tightly. This is important for rod positioning.

Step 4. Stretching the drum head

Once you’ve secured the rods, the drum head needs to be stretched. Form your hand into a fist and press in the center on the center of the drum. Repeat this for all the drums you want to tune.

Step 5. Tune the drums

The tension rods need to be tightened opposite of each other. Choose a rod and using your drum key, tighten some turns.

Look for the opposite tension rod and repeat the turns. Keep repeating this for all the rods until they’re tightened and secure. Try to keep the rotation count on every rod the same number.

Step 6. Test the drums

Hit the drums after you’re done tightening the rods. If it does not sound right it’s time to fine tune.

Choose a tension rod to adjust and tap the head a couple of inches off the rod.  Do the same for the rod opposite it.

Hit the drums again and listen for inconsistencies or uneven tones. If there is, make a half turn and listen again. This is a fine tuning process so you have to be patient.

Keep in mind this is your music: only you can determine if the tone is right. Keep tuning until the sound is just what you want.

Tips and Warnings

Conclusion

Learning how to play drums for beginners need not be complicated or frustrating. It is all about taking the time to practice and unleashing your creativity. Keep working on it and you’ll notice the difference and improvements.

The Drum Pieces

Before starting, gather the pieces. These are the most common components in a standard drum kit.

• Bass drum (kick drum with pedal)
• Snare drum
• Ride cymbal
• Crash cymbal
• Hi hat cymbal (and pedal)
• Stool or throne (this is where the drummer sits)
• Drum key (used to loosen or tighten drum kit bolts)

Depending on what type of drum kit you buy, it may have more or less pieces than the ones listed above.

You can expand a drum kit by adding:

• China cymbals
• Splash cymbals
• Sizzle cymbals
• Chau gongs
• Cymbal stacks
• Cable or x hats
• Mini timbales
• Additional rack or hanging toms
• Double bass drums

Step 1. Position the bass drum in the middle

Move the bass drum in the center of where you want the kit to be. Set it vertically so the logo or head faces front.

Step 2. Add the bass drum legs

Hold the steel legs connected to the bass drum. Slide them in the openings on the drum’’s sides. Turn the knobs to tighten the brackets.

Step 3. Add the kick drum pedal

The kick drum is often fastened on the bass drum’s bottom edge bracket. Slide the foot pedal edge under the bass drum’s center. Turn a screw to secure it into position and you’ll hear a clamping sound indicating it’s locked in.

Step 4. Position the throne

To get the right drum set positioning for the throne, place it at the back of the bass drum. Adjust the height until you’re comfortable with it.

Photo by christina rutz/ CC BY

Step 5. Put the snare drum in position

The snare drum often sits on an adjustable stand with 3 arms that keep it in position. To set up the stand, unfold the legs so the stand remains stable.

The snare is usually set at a horizontal angle, but you can change that depending on what you’re comfortable with.

Step 6. Adjust the snare height

Loose the snare drum stand’s nut and adjust its height. The ideal height is when you can play the snare without making contact with your legs, i.e. a bit higher than your knees.

Step 7. Place the toms on the bass

Look for the metal bracket on the bass drum and mount the toms there. The process is similar to how you set up the drum legs and bass drum. Some bass drums have two holes for the toms’ poles, while others only have one. If it’s the latter you have to mount both toms on one pole.

The placement is up to you. Just make certain the tom is near enough and at appropriate angle so you can reach it without difficulty.

Step 8. Attach the floor toms’ legs and position them

Floor toms usually have long, steel legs with rubberized feet. Loose the screws on the floor toms and insert the legs. Fasten the nuts so the raised drum is well balanced. Strike the toms a few times to make sure it’s not going to flip.

Step 9. Adjust the floor tom height

Set the height of the floor tom so it is level with the snare. Make adjustments to the legs so you’ll be able to strike the tom without too much effort. There are many kinds of drum setup ideas, but this is one that’s almost always the same.

Step 10. Install the bottom hi hat cymbal

Unfold the 3 legs of the hi hat cymbal stand and spread the legs. Slip the hi hat bottom cymbal on the stand so the cup side is facing up. This may require you to thread the hi hat’s upper part through the hole in cymbal’s center.

Step 11. Add the top hi hat cymbal

Remove the hi hat clutch’s bottom nut and position the top hi hat cymbal between the two felt pads within the hi hat clutch.

Fasten the nut on the bottom and set the hi hat clutch on the stand. Press the pedal and hit the cymbal at the same time. There has to be a clicking sound when you press the pedal and a hiss if the pedal isn’t pressed.

Typically a hi hat cymbal is positioned along the left of the snare drum so you can hit it with your stick. You use your left foot to press on the pedal.

Step 12. Install the ride cymbal

There’s a curved base on most ride cymbal stands, an upper part set at an angle and three legs. Unfold the legs, remove the nut on the stand and sandwich the cymbal between the felts.

Screw the nuts on again, but don’t make it too tight as the cymbal must be able to wing if struck with force. Secure the knob by tightening it and adjust the cymbal’s height until you’re comfortable with it.

Usually the ride cymbal is placed on the right side on the set, behind and above the bass and floor tom. The cymbal hangs a bit over the floor tom but not so much you can’t hit the drum..

Step 13. Install the crash cymbal

A crash cymbal stand usually could straight or have an adjustable arm similar to a ride cymbal’s. No matter the design, you set up the stand and install the cymbal the same way as you did the others. Remember not to tighten the nut too much as the cymbal must be able to swing when you strike it.

Crash cymbals are often placed on the drum set’s left side, at the back of the hi hat and the bass drum. Any extra cymbals you may want to add are placed between the back and sides of the kick drum.

Step 14. Play your drums

Now that you’ve got your drum kit set, it’s time to tune the drums and play.

Where to Place Your Drum Kit

Knowing how to set up cymbals and the drums is only one part of the equation. First you need to find an appropriate place to set up your drum set. Some pointers:

How to Set up a Drum Set Video

Here’s a video showing how to set up a drum set.

What are the Different Types of Drum Set Configurations?

The steps given above on how to assemble a drum kit is for the full size set, but other kits are available with varying number of pieces.

The 3 Piece

A 3 piece drum kit consists of a 10 inch hanging tom, a 10 inch snare and a 16 inch bass drum.

A large 3 piece set may include a 14 inch snare, a bass drum, a 14 to 18 inch suspended cymbal, a 12 inch hanging tom and 12 to 14 inch hi hats. This set up was widely used during the 1960s. Today they’re still used for children’s kits and some acoustic bands.

4 Piece

A 4 piece set is the same as the 3 piece – snare, bass, tom, 2 cymbals – but comes with another tom. This addition may be a floor tom or another hanging tom that takes the place of of the cymbal.

A 4 piece set often adds another cymbal, so there are two stands for the crash and ride cymbals. Sometimes the ride cymbal is placed on the bass on the right of the drummer, with the crash cymbal on its own stand. Most 4 piece drum kits use a 2 inch ride and 16 inch crash cymbal.

A 4 piece drum set usually comes with a 14 inch or 16 inch floor tom, especially if it will be used for jazz, rock and roll or classic rock. The ride cymbal is frequently used in jazz drum sets, and when there’s no additional hanging tom the ride is set nearer to the drummer.

A fusion drum kit set up usually has two hanging toms. The additional tom is 8 inches deep and 10 inches in diameter or 13 inches in diameter and an inch deeper than the other tom. In other cases a drummer adds a 14 inch, 8 inch deep tom, same depth as the 12 inch.

Regardless of the diameter and depth, the toms are set on the bass, with the smallest adjacent to the hi hat. These setups are ideal for small locations like pubs.

5 Piece

A 5 piece kit is the “standard” setup for rock drummers. It usually consists of a bass, snare, cymbals and three toms. A fusion drum kit has a 14 inch hanging or floor tom to the right of the bass. Regardless of the set up the toms are 10, 12 and 14 inches respectively.

The 3 tom setup is ideal for rock, fusion and other musical styles because it gives you a low, high and mid register pitch tom, providing you greater flexibility for fills and solos.

Other 5 piece drum setups have a 12 or 13 inch hanging tom. The set up may include a 16 inch or 14 inch floor tom, or a 14 inch hanging tom on a stand. Since 2010, the most common setup has been a 16 inch floor tom paired with 10 and 12 inch hanging toms.

A 5 piece drum setup often uses a 22 inch diameter bass drum, but jazz drum set go with an 18 inch bass. For fusion the bass is 20 inches while a rock setup use a 24 or a 26 inch bass. Rock drum setups add a second crash cymbal, typically an 18 inch to pair with the 16 inch, the bigger one positioned to your right.

A large band may use a 20, 24 or even 26 inch crash cymbals. Some rock bands also use bigger hi hats – up to 15” – and a 22” ride.

If you go beyond the basic 5 piece drum kit you’ll find that most have at least one effects cymbal added. This extra cymbal requires a separate stand. Because of this, most high end drum sets don’t come with any hardware so you can pick and choose the ones you need.

At the other end are the entry basic 5 piece kits that have everything. You get 5A sticks, a throne, a 3 piece cymbal pack, 2 cymbal stands and the 2 drum, 3 tom combo.

Small Drum Setups

A 2 piece drum kit is called a lounge or cocktail. It doesn’t have any toms, or there is a pedal run beater on the floor tom’s bottom skin. This setup is common for jump blues, rockabilly and trad jazz. In some variations the hi hat stand is taken out, enabling you to play standing up.

Compact drum kits may have fewer parts, but the drums are the same size as those used in regular kits. In some cases the bass drum is even larger.

There are so-called boutique drum kits with smaller drums to accommodate play in small venues, make the set portable and easier for younger drummers. Smaller drum kits produce quieter sounds so it’s ideal for playing in compact locations.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to set up a drum set, it’s time to play and be creative. With an understanding of how the basic drum kit setup is like, you can add more pieces to get the sound you want.

Different drummers can have different opinions regarding the maintenance and cleaning of their drum sets. Some drummers don’t care much for cleaning their drums at all, as it doesn’t jive with their “let it be” rock and roll approach to life. If you have this same punk rock attitude, then you better have plenty of money because not cleaning your drum set can result in its shorter lifespan. You’re going to have to buy a new one much sooner than you ought to.

Of course, some drummers prefer to have their drum sets shiny and gleaming all the time. Others tend to have a more relaxed attitude, and clean their drum sets less frequently. But the point remains—you do need to clean your drums on a regular basis so that it doesn’t wear down too soon.

So how do you do this? Here are the basic steps you need to take:

Disassemble the Drum Kit

Some drummers don’t do this for general maintenance. That’s understandable. It takes a lot of time and effort to disassemble the drum kit. It can get fussy too, as you end up with too many parts that you eventually have to put back together again. So some drummers just wipe down their drum set with a clean cloth every now and then. This takes care of the dust that inevitably settles on the drums as time flies.

However, at least once a year you should do a complete and thorough cleaning of your drum kit. This means disassembling your drum kit so you can take a good long look at everything. Here are some tips to help you out:

At this time, it’s also an opportune moment to inspect every part of your drum kit for any damage that may require repair or replacement. See if you have any missing or loose hardware. Look over the tension lugs and check that they’re not bent. Look also for any sort of damage to the threads.

Clean the Drum

You need to be careful when you clean your drum. They’re somewhat as delicate as elegant furniture, so you will need to be very careful. There are several ways to clean the whole drum, but here are the basic steps and tips:

Polish the Drum

Now that it’s clean, you may as well polish it so it looks fine.

Clean the Cymbals

You will want to clean the cymbals. That’s because the dirt can have a negative effect on the sound of the cymbals. Also, it’s great if the cymbals look shiny, especially if you’re performing on stage.

Take Care of The Hardware

Drum kits have plenty of small moving parts, and you will want each one of them to work together properly. So you will need to clean the hardware, and you shouldn’t forget about the bass pedals and the hi-hat stands. Here’s how to clean drum hardware:

Put the Drum Kit Back Together

This should be easier, as you can just consult your original drum kit manual to assemble it like you did the first time. YouTube is also a nice resource on how to do this. Just don’t forget to make sure that your efforts should match what you have with the “before” pictures you took.

Final Tips

In between the thorough cleanings, here are some basic maintenance tips:

You need to learn how to clean a drum set, so you can take care of it properly. Of course, there’s a better way of keeping the dirt and dust away from your drum set. Keep on playing as often and as long as you can!