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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
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,714 posts
 

Yup @n80, drums are loud! Useta drive my dad nuts; one day he came into my room when I was playing along with Charlie Watts on "Satisfaction" and told me "I said you could practice, not do this."

One reason Gretsch are big in the South is they're made in South Carolina. Or at least they have been for awhile. Originally they were made in Brooklyn, New York. Lots of 50's-60's Jazz drummers played Gretsch, as did Levon Helm of The Band. Some guys who have endorsement deals with other drum companies play Gretsch in the studio, Jeff Porcaro (L.A. studios, Toto) for one. Their shell design is excellent, and they've always fitted their drums with die cast hoops.

n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
Update: I'm enjoying this. Practicing and playing for a couple of hours a day sometimes. Not spending enough time on rudiments though. Working on 'independence" exercises. That's where you work on getting your right arm to do different things from your right foot, etc. That is not going well and I have to slow it down to a crawl to get it right and even then don't get it right for long. I'll stick with it since its fun. But I'm not sure I'll ever conquer that issue.

Although, I did finally get heel-and-toe downshifting at the racetrack and it is now second nature so there may be hope for me.

It is fun to play along with music. I can turn the music up enough that I can't hear how awful I'm doing. 
jc4659
544 posts
 
Yes, slow it down to a crawl if you have to!  You can do it!
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,467 posts
 
@bdp24

Gretsch family has been involved in making instruments for 6 generations. I met one of the Gretsch Family’s latest generation recently - great guy - and he plays drums!


bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,714 posts
 
@shadorne, I have two Gretsch sets, one veneered with the no-longer-available Brazilian Walnut, the other wrapped in Black Diamond Pearl, my favorite vintage finish (hence the bdp of bdp24. The 24 refers to my preferred bass drum size, 24"). Great sounding drums, but it's time for me to downsize the collection. 
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