6 Steps to Start Learning Percussion Instruments and Drums

6 Steps to Start Learning Percussion Instruments and Drums

 

Prep Step – Pick your Instrument!

Hey there percussion students! So you’re thinking about picking up a new instrument, and you’re stuck on which one to choose. Have no fear! I’m here to give you my top 5 tips on choosing the right percussion instrument for you.

If you’re in doubt if percussion is the right instrument for you, check the top 30 Percussion Health Benefits, with studies proving the efficacy of percussion in generating better physical and mental health.

Objective: Find an instrument (or instruments) that speaks to you. See which one feels the most natural in your hands. Ask friends or teachers for their opinion on what would be the best fit for you.

5 tips on how to choose the right Percussion instrument for you

Whether you’re a beginner percussionist or looking to add to your arsenal, choosing the right instrument can be overwhelming. Do you want something that will make a lot of sound volume? Or something that is easy to carry around? With so many options available, it can be tough to know where to start.

Here are five tips on how to choose the right percussion instrument for you:

1. Think about what kind of music you want to play. Do you like samba, or African drumming?

2. Find an instrument that speaks to you.

3. Ask yourself what kind of performer you want to be – soloist or ensemble member? This will help guide you in choosing the right instrument for you!

4. Consider your goals. What do you hope to achieve by playing percussion? Percussion instruments are a great way to add energy and excitement to any music genre.

5. Go with your gut! If something feels right, it probably is. So there you have it, my top 5 tips on choosing the right percussion instrument for YOU! Now get out there and make some beautiful music!

Consider what type of music you want to play

When deciding on the right percussion instrument for you, it’s important to consider what type of music you want to play. Brazilian instruments like an Agogô, Caxixi, or Cuíca are ideal for those seeking bright and vibrant sounds to match the Brazilian rhythms of samba.

 

 

 

 

 

Caxixi, a easy instrument to learn percussionCaxixi and Ganzá models from our Store – Easy to learn percussion instruments.

On the other hand, if you’re in search of deep, rich tones then you can look at an Atabaque, sabar, or djembe! With their wide range of sounds, these versatile drums will bring complexity and rhythm to whatever groove you desire.

Find an instrument that speaks to you.

Choosing the right musical instrument can be a tough decision, especially when it comes to percussion. Fortunately, there’s no such thing as the “wrong” drum. From hand drums and maracas to bass drums and xylophones, there are so many options out there that you’re sure to find one that speaks to you!

Take your time getting to know the different musical instruments, listen to how each one sounds, and experiment with them until you find a musical companion of your own. That is the moment when you’ll know for sure which musical instrument is right for you!

Ask yourself what kind of performer you want to be – soloist or ensemble member.

If you are looking to join a band or orchestra as a soloist, you might want to get a solo instrument such as the drum set. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed, social environment then consider joining a drum circle and picking up something smaller like an Agogô bell or bongo drum.

It all depends on what kind of performer you want to be! Do some research and ask around since there are lots of different percussion instruments out there – Pandeiro, Berimbau, and shakers – that may suit your style better. Whichever instrument you choose will be an exciting journey into rhythm.

Consider your goals. What do you hope to achieve by playing percussion? Percussion instruments are a great way to add energy and excitement to any music genre.

When learning percussion, it’s important to consider your goals and what you hope to achieve. Do you want to join a percussion group? Are you looking to explore traditional percussion instruments as a way of learning more about traditional arts from around the world? Or do you just want to add some extra energy and excitement to your favorite music genre? Whichever goals or learning objectives drive your passion for learning percussion, there is an instrument that can help you reach them.

Have fun with it! Percussion is all about making grooves and enjoying yourself

Whether you choose a hand drum, such as the Atabaque, or any other percussion instrument, the most important thing is to have fun with it!

  1. That’s what percussion is all about: making grooves and just enjoying yourself.

    Don’t overthink the process of choosing your ideal instrument and allow yourself to get lost in the rhythms you create. There are so many rhythms out there and it’s time to explore them all!

     

     

     

    Atabaque - Brazilian percussion instrument

    Now get out there and make some beautiful music! And if you’re still undecided, be sure to check our catalog of artisan-made drums and percussive instruments. Who knows, maybe one of our instruments will speak to you!

Get your Brazilian Groove on!

We offer a percussion course that features direct contact with a Master Teacher!

You can start learning with traditional style teachings: no theory or textbooks!

Learn by oral teaching methods: Discover a new way to understand Rhythm!

To Observe and listen are the basic principle upon which our teachers, and their teacher, and so on for several generations, learned, and so can you!

You can also check out our Shop, to find Atabaques, Pandeiros, Agogôs, Caxixis, and many other Brazilian instruments, each one made by master craftsmen such as Mestre Dinho, from Pelourinho in Salvador.

Free Trial on our Course

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Learning to play hand or stick drums can be a fun and fulfilling experience. Whether you are just starting out or an experienced player, there are many benefits to playing these instruments.

Getting in touch with Traditional culture, helping the development and total impact of oral knowledge in your community, and getting info and lessons on new instruments. From snare drums to Atabaques and Djembe, percussion instruments cover a huge

If you’re having doubts about how to play percussion drums or other percussive instruments, we advise you to find a good teacher.

A qualified percussion teacher can help you develop proper technique, build a strong foundation of rhythm and timing, and introduce you to different musical styles and genres. You can search for “percussion lessons near me” or try to find online teachers, such as the ones we offer at our site.

Look for a teacher who has experience teaching your instrument and who can work with your schedule and learning style.

We recommend searching for teachers from traditional culture, such as our Master Teacher from traditional communities, who have lifetime experience

 

 

1 -Learning percussion and drums: Listening is key to begin

 

Listening is the most crucial aspect of learning Percussion instruments techniques. Drumming is about being in sync with the music and rhythm.

How to start learning Percussion : Listen

Candomblé Percussion Master Adauto pointing the importance of Listening

 

The Drum makes vibrations, the waves we understand as music, and playing it is feeling and being part of it.  Bass drums are on the low frequencies, and bells are on the high frequencies, and they make up percussive harmony.

Only by listening, can we be part of music from the inside out. No percussion lessons can teach you about learning, which is something you have to develop in order to learn percussion.

There are many who say that great percussionists have rhythm.

Better yet say that the great percussionists have a superb feeling, and know to listen to the rhythm.

The reason that in Brazil, African Diaspora in the Americas, and Africa people organize to play Poly-rhythms, and the different rhythms match seamlessly is that everyone is hearing one another.

Two can’t play together without listening to each other and being able to feel each other rhythms. Percussion is about teamwork!

This is why the most used studying aid for percussionists and drummers is something that you hear, the metronome, but more on this later.

2) Exercise – Percussion instruments are learned through practice

Percussion, especially hand drums playing is not only a musical technique but also a physical exercise. In the same way that Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian culture is both dance and martial arts

 Percussion is both musical and physical.

The physical aspect of percussion must not be downplayed:

Percussion learning is about technique

This goes in two ways:

One is something we can cover in another article, stretching, strengthening your rotator cuffs and having body consciousness, and keeping good posture.

Rotator Cuff Strengthening Exercises Examples

The other is doing specific exercises that will enhance your ability to perform different motions and hand and note combinations.

Read up all the way, and you’ll get a sample of free percussion lessons with some beginner percussion exercises to kick-start your training!

Learning percussion takes time and dedication. Set aside regular practice time each week to work on your technique, timing, and musicality. Start with simple exercises and gradually increase the difficulty as you progress. Remember to practice slowly and focus on proper technique, rather than speed or volume.

These exercises can be considered one of the most technical parts of learning Percussion, and can be summed up as:

Strengthening your body so that it can be physically apt to perform within the rhythm.

Doing these exercises is a fundamental part of percussion, as you’ll be fit physically to perform the motions needed to be in sync with the song.

There is still a fundamental aspect of being in Sync with the song, that will connect with the listening aspect.

3)Your Next Best Friend: The Metronome

Ideally, you would be practicing together with a more experienced player who can keep a perfect rhythm, and tell you when you are speeding or lagging behind.

You can’t have both at will, but:

You can have any time, for free, one out of these two: The metronome

The metronome is the perfect Rhythm keeper

Listen, and you’ll know when you are keeping the rhythm, and when you’re out of sync

So how can you practice with the metronome?

The metronome is a challenging companion: You have to start counting with it, beat in sync with it, and listen to see if you’re deviating from the starting point.

If you type metronome in Google, it will have a built-in tool you can use. We recommend starting slow, beginning at 60 bpm.

The great thing about the metronome is that you’ll improve your listening and rhythm at the same time.

The best advice in this guide: 

You can practice the exercises and the rhythm keeping all at the same time

4) Play-along! Tip: Have a friend or family accompany you on the bass drum 

  In fact, the Metronome works the same way as a song. You can in fact use them in place of one another:

You can play a rhythm from a song on the metronome at a slower velocity to properly understand the rhythm.

You can play the exercises with the song, so you can get a better idea of how the exercises can fit inside the music rhythm.

The vast majority of songs are recorded with metronomes used to align the tracks of the different instrumentists, so at a basic level, they’re tied.

 

Playing organically has different challenges, but this will help you prepare for them.

5) Be part of a group, or record yourself and play with your own tracks!

While a steady rhythm is an essential part of any music, independent of tradition, while playing with other players organically, the rhythm can vary. It may slow down, or go faster.

To help you with this the best ways are:

  • Doing exercises with the metronome:  Listen and catch the timing faster, and keep it steadier as you listen to your own variations
  • The original and Traditional way: Playing with others who have basic listening and rhythm-keeping skills
  • Recording yourself, and playing with your recording: You’ll need to use the metronome to start the first rhythm or recording so that your track can fit with the next rhythms you’ll add

 

 

As you develop your skills, start building your repertoire of songs and rhythms. Choose music that you enjoy playing and that challenges you to improve your technique and timing. You can also collaborate with other musicians and percussionists to create new music and explore different genres and styles.

 

You’re own your way to start learning percussion! How can you go further thought?

  • 6) Listen, feel, and improvise:

Tinho a Master teacher of percussion - considered the best solo percussion

Tinho ‘Pequeno’ First Timbalada Soloist – Heard on Songs such as Mulatê do Bundê, Sambaê, Meio da Maré

One of the aspects that make African and Afro-Diasporic Percussion unique is the improvisation techniques employed.

To improvise, first, listen to the master improvisers: 

  • Mamady Keita (Republic of Guinea)
  • Giovanni Hidalgo (Cuba)
  • Timbalada, especially early albums (Brazil, Bahia)
  • Olodum live Performances, and early Cd`s (Brazil, Bahia)
  • Naná Vasconcelos (Brazil, Pernambuco)
  • Cara de Cobra and other Ivete Sangalo Percussionists (Brazil, Bahia)

Playing a rhythm is reading a language. Improvising is speaking that language. 

There’s no universal improvisation technique because improvisation happens when you have a grasp of the language that each rhythm represents.

Improvisation is aided by the exercises or rudiments.

But the basis of improvisation and solo is understanding the rhythm and what are its expressions. 

There are many rhythms, and like languages, many share common roots. You may see similarities in Brazilian, African, and Cuban Rhythms for example.

The semantics and the accents will be unique in different languages, and so with rhythms and any music category.

Samba in Salvador and in Rio will certainly sound different, you will need to start each learning process separately, as they represent different musical languages!

To know how to improvise within a culture, it is needed to understand the language of the rhythm within that culture.

The first tip remains the best: Listen, immerse yourself.

Looking for more content on Percussion? We offer drum lessons directly from Master teachers from Traditional Communities, see below!

Read our Samba Guide to discover The Origins and Unique History of Samba

Read about Brazilian Rhythms, the Full Guide 

 

Learn the Basic Rudiments and Exercises

Get your Brazilian Groove on!

We offer a percussion course that features direct contact with a Master Teacher!

You can start learning with traditional style teachings: no theory or textbooks!

Learn by oral teaching methods: Discover a new way to understand Rhythm!

To Observe and listen are the basic principle upon which our teachers, and their teacher, and so on for several generations, learned, and so can you!

You can also check out our Shop, to find Atabaques, Pandeiros, Agogôs, Caxixis, and many other Brazilian instruments, each one made by master craftsmen such as Mestre Dinho, from Pelourinho in Salvador.

Free Trial on our Course

Instrument Shop

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