12 Tips I Wish I Knew as a Beginner Drummer

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Hindsight is 20/20, so here are my 12 best tips I’d give to my beginner self. If you’re a beginner drummer, please listen closely because these are huge pieces of advice that helped my playing ability a ton over the years. If you’re a drumming veteran, tell me in the comments which of these tips you feel have been most influential for you.

Even though this video is designed to help beginner and intermediate players the most, I can’t say that some of the topics touched on aren’t deep and fairly challenging! However, take these to heart as best you can, and work on implementing some of these techniques and mindsets in your practicing and performing. Let these tips become habits so that you don’t even have to think about them.

We’re talking about tuning, bass drum technique, muffling, hand technique, improvisation, listening, fill creation, “what is great feel?” and more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out these videos and playlists referenced in today’s video for more info.

“STOP Burying the Bass Drum Beater!”

“Computer vs Human: Proof that Feel Trumps Time”

Hand Technique Lessons:

Bass Drum Technique Lessons:

The Comprehensive Drum Tuning Tutorials:

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[thenonglamorousdrummer]

Are you struggling with stiff, clumsy hands with no control? How would you like to achieve confident speed, volume, and precision? Click here to join TOTAL Hand Freedom, my step-by-step, work-at-your-own pace course that helps a beginner go from stiff & slow to the fast & fluid hands you’ve been dreaming of!

[eldude-ivdw]

100% record yourself. It’s a totally objective way to determine how you really sound.

[johnryan]

1- Practice with a metronome, 2- start slow... then go fast, 3- learn how to play with your left and right sides, 4- record yourself, 5- learn a song 100%... then move to the next one, 6- HAVE FUN and play what you like!

[jaredabvan]

Lesson: don't play to impress, play because you love it, the more you like it better you play and sound. If you want to impress you get annoying

[D-Man_Jam]

_"No one cares how fast you are"_

Tell that to high schoolers.

[joemasse]

I’ve played for many years, and one of the best tips for a drummer, I’ve discovered? When sitting on your drum seat, don’t hunch over them, sit so your balance is slightly tipped back, makes everything easier, and after you get used to it, much less fatigue, the sticks will bounce back effortlessly, better dynamics!

[talktalk]

I tried playing fills with my ears but the sticks wouldnt fit in my ear holes.

[timwallander]

As a full time musician, drum teacher and hardcore practise freak I can tell you that what Stephen is saying is 100 % true. Music is really a great investment of time in Life. My advices are: be your own teacher, find out your personal struggles/problems and ask yourself questions. Do your research, but try to find the answers yourself before you look them up - it’s beyond exciting to explore! If music is important to you and you love it above all, then you better make sure you get the time you need to play, explore, research, practise, grow etc - no excuses!! <3 man, I love music more than ever now and my students feel that energy and we see results really quickly these days. One other important thing is to remember to love yourself for trying and playing, not bashing yourself for failing or sounding bad! Mental stability is key to sucessful practise and playing. You are more powerful than you think and you can achieve ANYTHING if you put your mind and heart into it, seriously!

[shrpys]

"Don't try to impress other by playing fast"

Me as a thrash metal player:

[midnightngel]

I"ve been playing for 40 years. These are Excellent tips. I too wish I knew this when I was 15.

[Thaisweetchillisensations]

I've just picked up a set of drums. As a 16 year old whose never touched a drum set in their life, these tips are really appreciated. Thank you for this

[QazwerDave]

My tip that I learned too late is:

Include the feet in fills !!
Bass or hi-hat pedal.

[lenamalecka]

i just started learning drums and i feel so bad because my family is asking me all the time like “do you know how to play X already?” “can you play something to us?” and i’m trying to tell them that i’m just learning the basics and they’re putting so much pressure and rushing me....

[frogtite]

I am an drummer in my 40s who has always buried the beater until 6 months ago. After watching this video I decided to follow your advice due to my leg literally giving out after 3 hr rehearsals. It is now so much easier to play, for longer, with no knee pain. I thought I was just getting too old to keep up and now realized I was working WAY harder then needed. I think there is a notable sound improvement as well. Thanks for the lifesaving tip.

[markcall]

An addition to #6 rule is to take the nervous energy and make it excitement also. I use to play in churches for like 15 years and the nerves always show up. I would put it into happy energy and would listen to a band that was similar to what I was playing and I got in a zone and the nervousness became excited energy. love the show. Rock on!!

[ekambijral]

i’ve been playing drums for over half my life, but these are still very useful. great video dude 👍

[DeeloGoodquest]

I was a music business major and my theory teacher promised not to fail me if I played in his 3rd string jazz band. He showed me the swing is in the 1/4 note and I matured into a decent jazz player comfortable enough to sit in with just about anyone at school. I gigged in Austin and toured for a good 6 years and all these pointers are so painfully true. Great great advice!

[munkhammer]

Many of the best players in the world ”bury the beater” instead of letting it bounce. It’s really all a matter of preference and depends on the sound you’re going for and what feels good. Just do whichever comes natural to you, there really is no right way to play the bass drum

[briankelley]

I’m a self taught guy who has been playing a very long time. I used to be good at a specific group of things (playing fast) then I took a ten year break and realized my technique is lacking and so now I’m basically learning all over again especially since the band I’m in now has more dynamics and is not quite as fast. I found every one of these tips to be extremely helpful. Some of them I am actively leaning into, and some of them I will lean into a lot more. All these points were very affirming. Thank you.

[NikkoNikko]

I’m 23 & I’ve been playing since I was 10 in church & in school & I’ve had a lot of experience in different live environments, these tips even helped me! These aren’t just great for beginners I think but for all drummers, I’m a firm believer in there’s always someone who knows more & I’m never done imporoving so videos like this help alot! 🤙🏼