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Take up drums at age 56?

I know this technically has nothing to do with high end audio but I know there are some drummers here that might be able to help me along here....or tell me to skip it altogether. And it does have to do with music.

I'm almost embarrassed to even post this. I'm 56. I have never played a musical instrument other than dabbling with a harmonica. I do not read music. I am certain that I'll never perform for anyone or play in a band.

But I've always wanted to play drums.

And now I have enough money to get a simple cheap used drum kit and I have a basement that is isolated enough to not bother the neighbors. (I actually have an acquaintance who refurbishes used drums who can probably hook me up).

So I have a couple of questions:

1) Can you teach yourself to play drums? Alone or with YouTube etc? Are actual lessons required? Can I skip the practice pad and start with a kit?

2) Is there any point? In other words, even if I were to learn to play are the drums the kind of instrument that you sit down and play for your own pleasure the way you would a guitar?

My realistic expectation is that I'd get a simple kit. Try to do something with it. Find that it is much harder to do than it looks, especially for a guy with two left feet. It sits in the basement for a while and then I sell it for a big loss but hopefully at least happy that I tried it.

Any other thoughts on the matter?

(If totally inappropriate for this site I have no problem removing the post.....especially if someone points me to a better site for the topic.)


n80
111 responses Add your response
bgoeller
73 posts
 
I played for more than 30 years, sometimes in a band, mostly for my own pleasure. Of course, unhesitatingly, if you want to play I encourage you to do so.

My only advice is to consider an electronic kit, and for one reason only, you can manage the volume. An acoustic kit can be loud, especially in a small space. And if you want to play along with music, that music has to be loud. I'm sure it took a toll on my hearing. 

I didn't switch to electronic until about 20 years in. No, its not the same as playing 'live' but as a drum hobbyist, it was no longer worth it to subject my ears to that sustained level of sound.

There is so much tutorial content on youtube that I would recommemd starting there instead of commiting to an instructor. If you get into it and dig it, then consider lessons, but shop around for an instructor you jive with.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Lessons are important but practice is the real key. You should devote 2 to 3 hours daily. YouTube is amazing. If you want to get really good with technique then rudiments are a must. There is no way around it and you need discipline - devote at least 1/2 hour to rudiments daily. Top level drummers all still do rudiments daily to warm up.

If you happen to have a School of Rock in your area then join the adult band after six months of practice. This is more important than all the above.... you got to get out and play with others......that is priority #1 otherwise you will lose interest.

Check this out, I am working on it currently and I can guarantee you that you can achieve this level in 3-5 years of hard work. Producing it credibly with all the nuance however may take a multitude of life times....

http://vicfirth.com/zoro-we-want-the-funk-15/

For me, the above and the New Orleans Second Line style are the kind of  “goals”, that I work towards or aspire to

https://youtu.be/uVnm8ixW3pw

But Rock has plenty of meat and potatoes to work with on that great and wonderful journey (which never ends because there is always more to learn)...check this out, the feel of this non-technical drummer is godly...the timing follows the lead guitar and believe me time is stretched and compressed by these experts of tension and release (possibly the best rhythm section in rock n roll of all time)

https://youtu.be/n_GFN3a0yj0










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astewart8944
499 posts
 
I encourage you to give it a rip. Making your own music can be joyful--and a bit maddening. I play the guitar and have for 40 years now. I'm probably above average. I've paid all my meaningful bills doing something else I'm much better at than guitar. Never had a lesson. My son has played the drums for the past 10 years. He is 18 years old now...and an objectively decent kit drummer. He has had serious drum lessons for most of that time. He is much better on the drum kit now than I was on the guitar at his age. The point is invest in the lessons. IMO it is your best shot at staying on the journey and actually improving (which is funner than not improving) because someone can help you correct your "non-musical" tendencies--and we all have them.
Go get 'em.
jc4659
530 posts
 
Failed to mention that I have an electronic kit now.  Not as visually impressive but still sounds great and is lots of fun.
jc4659
530 posts
 
N80
yours is my story almost exactly!  I was the same age when I did it.  And I went overboard with buying additional cymbals, drums, accessories, etc.  I contacted the band instructors at a few local high schools and got the names of a few good drummers.  I ended up hiring a guy who aspired to becoming a professional drummer and he was at a point where he was so good that there were few teachers locally who could teach him anything new.  He was old enough to drive and so taught me at my home on my kit.  He taught me to read music and most importantly to start slowly.  I'm 64 now but relocated twice in the last 9 years.  I recently sold my acoustic kit because I am currently in an apartment.  I still drum along to music all played through my headphone.  I don't regret a day of it but you may find that it's a lot harder than you think.  And you must practice, practice, practice!  Good luck!

oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
n80 ...

Your question has everything to do with this site. Why? Because you’re a lover of music.

Back in the day, the great writer H.L.Mencken wrote an essay on the topic of how you can tell that a person is a true music lover.

Mencken said that when observing people at opening night at the opera, you would see all of the sophisticated women in their flowing evening gowns and their gentlemen escorts in their tails and top hats. They were not true music lovers, being there not for the opera, but only to be seen out in society and to rub elbows with other self-important elites.

According to Mencken, true music lovers always reveal themselves because they always try to make their own music. They may be atrocious at it, but they try anyway.

I’ve been playing the harmonica and chromonic harmonica since I was nine years old and still play atrociously. :-)

Buy the drums ...

Frank
falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
I certainly admire your courage to reach out for opinions. I have considered this more than a few times myself but decided to just listen instead. You could always rent a kit for a while to see how it goes. Best of luck!
n80 OP
2,110 posts
 
I've never seen Step Brothers. I can only handle Will Ferrell in very small doses.

I can't get the "@" function to work to tag bdp24. But he is a professional drummer and I'm sure my drumming aspirations will sound silly to him. Although I'd be interested in what he has to say about just playing on his own for fun. But I have always felt there is a big difference in doing something professionally verses doing it _just_ for fun. I know when I get home from work doing what I do professionally.....I'm not particularly interested in doing it at home or on the weekend....

As far as having fun, I guess the only way to know is to try it. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
A drum kit, you say.
Everything there is to know about drums is perfectly encapsulated by Dale and Brennan in Step Brothers.
mrdecibel
3,033 posts
 
This is what I told people when I set up for karaoke night. Have fun !
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@bdp24 is your man for this one!

When I played in a band , our drummer quite often left his kit set up in our practice room which was a sealed off part of my garage.

All I can say is that it was a lot harder than it looks or I imagined it could ever be!

I gave up and stuck to my bass and writing lyrics!
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