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Beginner4 min read

Your first week on drums

Crossed wooden drumsticks resting on a practice pad

You do not need a drum kit to start. A cushion, a book and your knees are enough for the first week — what you are training is timing, not volume.

Day 1 and 2: play quarter notes with one hand along with the Tempo Room at 50 BPM. That is one hit per click. Boring is the point; boring means locked in.

Day 3 and 4: alternate hands — right, left, right, left. Keep the same 50 BPM. If it rushes, slow to 40.

Day 5 to 7: open Starter Path Level 1 in the Jam Room. Kick on 1 and 3, nothing else. When you hit 60% accuracy, Level 2 unlocks and adds the snare backbeat.

Rule of thumb for everything below: if you cannot play it perfectly three times in a row, it is too fast.

Keep reading

Chrome and walnut metronome with a glowing amber tempo dial
How slow is slow enough?
Why 40 BPM is a serious tempo, and how to use the slow-tempo dials without feeling silly.
Compact beginner drum kit with walnut shells and chrome hardware
Choosing your first kit
Acoustic, electronic or practice pad — what actually matters for a first purchase.