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Drums are HARD, man! Drums are the second hardest instrument I've ever learned (the hardest was pedal steel, which kicked my ass. I gave up on it after realizin

by beat 12y ago

Drums are HARD, man! Drums are the second hardest instrument I've ever learned (the hardest was pedal steel, which kicked my ass. I gave up on it after realizing I'd need to spend three years or so as my primary instrument in order to gain real competence). I love the pull back and forth to set the feel of a band, too. One band I'm in has an odd effect... in most bands, one person tends to be the timekeeper (usually but not always the drummer), and the rest of the band follows her. But in this particular band I'm in, time-leading rotates - three of the four members can be the timekeeper, depending on the song.

agumonkey 12y ago
I don't know many instruments, I wouldn't say drums are especially hard, but they sure are deceptively simple looking. Even though, advanced stick control is akin to learning skateboard tricks, quite subtle. With the skin loudness, the tiniest variation become a catastrophe.
- S_A_P 12y ago
  I think drums are hard because its more than just keeping time. Different styles are completely different vocabularies that require different dexterity to be effective. That said, I can pretty much play "rhythm everything"- meaning drums, bass, guitar, piano. Im not particularly good at any one instrument nor do I feel Im an expert to speak on any instrument but if I had to rank the instruments I can play in order of difficulty I would say: 1) piano - playing chords in a rhythm is not hard, separating your hands can be tough and playing classical can be infinitely difficult. 2) drums - I am not a natural drummer, so staying on rhythm and fills and different styles was a hard won battle for me. I think that some people are born with this ability so drums may seem simple to them. 3) guitar - probably the easiest instrument to compose a full song with, and its somewhat easy to vary from chords to leads and back. I think that anyone with 6 months and some determination can be a "competent" guitarist or at least get over the learning curve. 4) bass - I think this is easiest because you have the choice to relegate yourself to the rhythm section and just play a groove. Im sure that others may feel differently, and I don't think there is a right answer. Being a virtuoso at any of these instruments is truly difficult, but getting over the learning curve and playing for fun definitely varies.

by beat 12y ago

agumonkey 12y ago

I don't know many instruments, I wouldn't say drums are especially hard, but they sure are deceptively simple looking. Even though, advanced stick control is akin to learning skateboard tricks, quite subtle. With the skin loudness, the tiniest variation become a catastrophe.

S_A_P 12y ago
I think drums are hard because its more than just keeping time. Different styles are completely different vocabularies that require different dexterity to be effective. That said, I can pretty much play "rhythm everything"- meaning drums, bass, guitar, piano. Im not particularly good at any one instrument nor do I feel Im an expert to speak on any instrument but if I had to rank the instruments I can play in order of difficulty I would say: 1) piano - playing chords in a rhythm is not hard, separating your hands can be tough and playing classical can be infinitely difficult. 2) drums - I am not a natural drummer, so staying on rhythm and fills and different styles was a hard won battle for me. I think that some people are born with this ability so drums may seem simple to them. 3) guitar - probably the easiest instrument to compose a full song with, and its somewhat easy to vary from chords to leads and back. I think that anyone with 6 months and some determination can be a "competent" guitarist or at least get over the learning curve. 4) bass - I think this is easiest because you have the choice to relegate yourself to the rhythm section and just play a groove. Im sure that others may feel differently, and I don't think there is a right answer. Being a virtuoso at any of these instruments is truly difficult, but getting over the learning curve and playing for fun definitely varies.