One day I woke up and decided that I wanted to learn drums (like you do) and booked a taster lesson with Planet drum and loved it, so I booked the crash course. Two and a half years later I am still a student here so I thought I would share my experience to date with you all!
Whenever we learn a new activity we go through a happy (but somewhat deluded) beginner phase - in my case having fun making noise & bashing sticks. Then we start to improve and realise just how much our playing sucks and frustration creeps in. (This is where your empathetic Planet Drum teacher will encourage and motivate you to carry on and not give up whilst you vent your frustration at not being able to do stuff that looks like it should be easy but isn’t). Just remember that everyone is in the same boat! The band practices and workshops have been a great help in applying what I am learning in a supportive and friendly environment and also in gaining confidence playing with other students and musicians.
You will learn a lot about yourself. For example, I lack discipline. I play when I feel like it and can squeeze it in. How much better would my playing be if I practiced more consistently devoting a little time to rudiments, stick control, things I am not so good at and then enjoying pieces and things I am better at for fun at the end?
I also get bored easily. I get around this by doing some Trinity Syllabus work so as not to miss out on learning new techniques and a variety of genres but then I also have fun learning a bunch of rock tunes created by musicians that I find inspirational.
I played a lot of classical music as a kid. It’s hard to break out of the mould and kiss goodbye to that sheet music and allow yourself to be creative for fear of an inferior version to your beloved original after hours spent trying to work stuff out…till you realise that it gives you the freedom to do whatever you like!!!
And If you’re like me and the thought of sitting exams & performing makes you want to run for the hills, just remember that you’re going to get feedback on what you have done well and where you need to improve which will make you a better drummer. So why not showcase all of that progress at the Planet Drum Summer and Winter events and reward yourself with some well earned fun after at the socials!
