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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
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
I've been playing music professionally since 1967, and although I'm primarily a guitarist-singer-songwriter-bass player, I LOVE to play drums...drummer gets up and I sneak behind that kit...had a rehearsal space under my house in Hawaii for years and my keyboard player and I would get high and jam endlessly. Drums are the ultimate coordination test, and if you can, PLAY THEM. Fun, fun, fun...who cares how old you are? I don't have space for a kit where I live now, but if I did I'd absolutely use 'em. I know a singer-guitar player who was pretty good...opened some shows I mixed...I ran an outdoor jazz series one summer and he shows up with a jazz group and he's playing drums at a mind blowingly high level...just kicked it. Too cool...
16f4's avatar
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16f4
1,062 posts
 
I was just reading an article today that stated the happiest year of a persons life is, on statistical average, 55.  Since it’s all downhill from there, might as well make some noise. 
n80 OP
2,117 posts
 
@16f4 : I’m in a good place at age 56. Life is good. Finally have the means to do some things I’ve always wanted to do.

But that statistic really surprises me. For me my 50’s have been a challenge. Aging parents. Getting kids out of the nest. Job changes. Despite all that maybe maturity helps guide us through that stuff. Caring for others. It has not been bad, but not what I would call care-free.

Oddly, when I think back to when I was happiest (a dangerous thing to do, and probably not entirely accurate) I always go back to med school. Not high school. Not college. Broke as heck. Newly married. Working (clinical rotations) 80+ hours a week. Close, close friends who where in the same boat and lived two doors down. Some of that is probably related to immaturity. We mostly thought about ourselves.

All-in-all I’ve been blessed through hard times and easy.

You guys have inspired me. I think if that drum kit is still there in a couple of weeks I'll get it. I told my wife that tonight.

She didn’t throw anything at me.
expoobident's avatar
expoobident
16 posts
 
It all depends how serious you are and what you want to play. If your ambition is to bash out Ramones tunes, you can probably teach yourself. If you want to play something more sophisticated, you should take lessons. It'll save you a lot of time and possibly embarrassment. Learning to read drum notation is easy.  It's necessary to know about time signatures, and the different time values of notes. It should maybe 30 min. to learn. And you should prepare to devote at least 1 hour/day to practice. In the beginning it'll be frustrating and maybe boring to do some of the drills. But when you know how to play and are doing it -- it's all well worth it.  Plus it benefits your health, self-esteem, etc.
cisgo
30 posts
 
 At 54 I purchased my first drum kit last year. Mostly for physical therapy (disabled). I last played drums in 79 for about a week (borrowed uncle's kit to do a high school talent show). Did a lot of research, wanted a nice Tama kit with all the trimmings, but realized acoustic drums in my basement would be bad. Moisture would ruin them in no time.

   I looked at electric kits extensively. Roland is obvious tops, however you have to pay a premium. I settled on Alesis DM10 MK11 Pro and put it in a spare bedroom. Mesh heads similar size of acoustics and a lot of equipment for the money. The module comes with training programs, metronome, play along tracks, etc. Enough to keep you entertained. I use an Ipod and plug into module to play along. With a memory stick/computer you can get creative and assign sounds to drum/cymbal triggers, endless possibilities. Plenty of loaded kits, no need to tune and to me that is a plus. Just grab a pair of Audio-technica M50s and your set.
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