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The Concept of Rhythm
I Can Play Drums breaks rhythm into simple, playful steps—listening, feeling the beat, relaxing your grip, and having fun—making it the perfect starting point for nervous beginners of any age. What do beginners misunderstand most about rhythm when they first start?
Kids see a drummer in action, mostly in staged videos, looking cool as whirling sticks and playing all over the place, then hound parents to buy them a drum kit, as they are now inspired.
The new kit arrives, a box of bits and pieces with no assembly instructions; the new kid drummer and parents have to work out how it pieces together with an unhealthy belief that everything on the internet is the Bible.
Once the kit is in some playable form, they then start to try to work out how to be like that cool drummer as seen on videos, fail to do so, and are unable to resist the temptation to just bash away, hoping something musical comes out, and learn bad habits.
Parents gasp at the cost of good tuition, as the kit sits in the corner collecting dust after finding lessons of playing single and double strokes all boring and repetitive (unbeknownst to them that is what and how that cool drummer learned and plays).
To add, many books on drumming after the initial pages of basic beats turn into daunting exercises. Not all, though, a good progressive one to mention is the Carmine Appice Realistic Rock. There is a gap in providing an initial guide to point someone new to drumming in the right direction, hence an attempt in writing I Can Play Drums, to hopefully provide some assistance.
The kit eventually is for sale due to a lack of interest after finding it all too hard, a shame, as with a good start and mind engaged in the concept of rhythm and how it works, there is then a chance to enjoy drumming, and what it brings with perseverance.
Once a learner can gather the basics and start playing rhythms, the immense world of drumming opens to them.
What’s the one piece of gear advice you wish every new drummer would hear first?
To play drums, there is no need to spend a lot of money on equipment. A drummer has all they need with two hands, two feet, and their head in the right place. Then, to prove me wrong, there is the band Def Leppard’s drummer, Rick Allen, who plays with no left arm.
The addition of a pair of drumsticks and a practice pad (a piece of a flat rubber sheet), then drums can be practiced anywhere.
Should anyone venture into a big-name rockstar drummer’s dressing room pre a stage show, they are likely to find the drummer warming up, playing his sticks on a practice pad.
There is also the question of what drummers should not hear. Please invest in hearing protection and use it.
What would you say to someone holding drumsticks for the first time and feeling unsure?
To read I Can Play Drums, taking note about grip on sticks to be so loose so that the drumsticks do the work as they naturally rebound, it is no secret, as this method is proven by many great drummers, such as examples Tiger Bill Meligari, Jo Jo Mayer, as well as most likely any corps drummer.
By playing with a controlled grip, problems of limiting playing ability and the risk of injuring the body are reduced considerably. Many drummers who play hard with a stiff grip end up with carpal tunnel issues, as well as foot issues for those who, by default, slam the pedal into the head. It is good to know about this at the commencement of drumming rather than later.
Another thing is to learn and play slowly to one’s own ability. Speed, power, and the flashy stuff that initially inspired them to take up the drums all come in time with plenty of practice.
Drumming is a very physical thing to do, learn to hold the sticks correctly, as well as placing and playing the feet correctly, and yes, you can play drums, well.
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I Can Play Drums
I Can Play Drums is a friendly beginner’s guide that walks the reader through the basics of drumming in simple steps. It starts with listening and feeling the beat, then moves into coordination, timing, practice methods, stick control, tuning, kit setup, and all the little things a new drummer needs to know. It keeps the language light and direct, and it focuses on helping anyone learn rhythm by breaking ideas into small actions that can be practiced anywhere.
The book talks to you like a coach who actually wants you to enjoy the journey. I appreciated how the book treats drumming as something playful, something almost childlike at times. The little challenges, like patting your head while circling your tummy, made me smile. The tone feels encouraging in a way that pulls down the fear that beginners often carry. I liked how it keeps telling you to slow down, relax, and have fun. That landed with me because learning an instrument can feel stressful. This book leans the other way, and that gave me a sense of relief.
I also liked the ideas in the sections about gear and tuning, even though they are simple. The author keeps the advice practical and almost homespun, which made the book feel grounded. There were good reminders to loosen your grip on the sticks and to avoid chasing fancy drum parts before you can hold a steady beat. The honesty there felt refreshing. Some parts did feel long and a bit repetitive, although I get why the author wanted to reinforce certain habits. Even so, the informal tone kept me reading, and I never felt talked down to.
I think I Can Play Drums works best for new drummers, younger learners, or anyone who feels nervous about starting. The writing is easy to understand, and the hands-on exercises make rhythm feel reachable. If you want a book that takes you by the hand and makes drumming feel simple and fun, this one will suit you well.
Pages: 76 | ISBN : 9781105931598
