How Long Does It Take to Become a Drummer?

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, or just getting started in the drum world, one question everyone wants to know is: how long does it take to become a drummer? Ultimately, the answer depends on your individual situation and personal goals. But here are a few things to keep in mind as you progress toward your dream career:

Practice for Quality Over Quantity

A great way to learn the art of playing the drums is through practice, and quality over quantity is what it takes to progress quickly. The key is to have a solid practice routine that you follow consistently, and be mindful of what you’re doing. If you aren’t careful, your practice time can be a waste of time and effort that isn’t helping you to achieve your goals.

Read Rhythmic Notation

Learning to read rhythmic notation is an important skill for drummers because it allows them to easily understand grooves, fills and coordination patterns. It also helps them to feel the beat and create their own unique style of play, which is essential for developing into a good musician.

Reading music isn’t easy, and many people struggle with it at first, but once you get it, it’s a huge benefit in every aspect of your drumming. It’s a skill that is often overlooked but will make you much more prepared and confident when performing live or in the studio.

Learn About Multiple Genres

Being a multi-instrumentalist is essential to becoming a successful drummer in any genre. Having knowledge of other musical styles will allow you to perform in a variety of different venues, and to adapt to new styles when needed.

It will also help you to have a wider range of knowledge, which can improve your overall performance and help you be better able to communicate with other musicians.

Network Yourself

Using social media to market yourself as a drummer is an excellent idea, as it’s a great way to show off your skills and experience to potential employers. It’s also a great way to build connections with other drummers, so it’s worth taking the time to do it well.

Use YouTube to promote yourself

Creating a decent, if not great, drumming video that shows off your skills and your personality is an excellent way to get gigs. It’s like a digital business card, and you can post it to your social media profile for all to see.

Then you can reach out to people and let them know that you’re looking for session work. That’s how you start to build a portfolio of work and become known as a top drummer!

It’s also a great way to network with other musicians, and is a fun way to meet like-minded people. It can also be a great place to meet new friends, as you may end up hanging out with some of your favorite drummers!

You might be thinking, “I’m not a very good drummer!” That’s fine. You might never be the next Buddy Rich or John Bonham, but if you are dedicated to your craft and can get past the learning curve, you’ll be on your way!