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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
roncagg
61 posts
 
Definitely do it! I was unemployed after my business failed in 2001 so to keep sane while seeking work I did what I’d always wanted to do and took drum lessons (age 40 at the time). Bought an older Ludwig kit and some cymbals from my teacher, had a blast. Got it out of my system and sold off the kits but it was entirely worth it. My teacher, Jim Payne, had a great method, his site is funkydrummer.com it might be worth checking out. Good luck and be careful - you may do with cymbals on eBay what we do with gear on Audiogon, they are fun to collect and listen to!
robert53
461 posts
 
I forgot one thing. of course the first thing you have to learn is how to hold the sticks properly using the fulcrum. You can look it up online.
robert53
461 posts
 
I watched a few videos about the fulcrum and holding the sticks properly just now, and some were good, but they did not explain that the three fingers ( your middle finger to your pinky ) are not supposed to be snug on the stick. They are supposed to move up and down to make the stick go up and down along with your wrist moving up and down. I hope I'm not being too technical, but as a very technical drummer I want you to start out properly. Again, good luck and have fun.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Robert, that's why I recommend taking lessons. In the OP's case, he should at the very least have some  instruction to start him off.
I believe he said the music shop offers this.

buellrider97
387 posts
 
   GO FOR IT ! I watched my brother start at 50. He did however have a head start with 30 years of guitar with lessons and could read music . He now is exclusively drums and takes lessons, as he is OCD . He’s on his fourth kit after 10 years . He trades with Bentley’s Drum Shop in Fresno, Ca. I’ve attended clinics there with him . He’s drummed at the store with Carmine Appice , Vinnie Appice and Tommy Aldridge . He was big on a Yamaha and now has Tama . This last year Kenny Aranoff came , as well as the Tama rep. He used my brothers kit for the clinic . When Carmine came , he played later that night at a local small venue with Michael Shanker and my brother went with him . My brother plays well and has worked his ass off . Also having earned a Black Belt in his discipline, has helped his speed and timing immensely. But he drums mostly alone and for his own pleasure. He’s like a Soul Surfer in the way he approaches drumming . We grew up in a music filled house and were both SENT to piano lessons . Marc kept at it , and I learned to the PLAY STEREO fairly well 😝. You only live once as a human , so GO FOR IT !!! Peace , Mike B. 
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