I get asked questions about drumming lessons. Some are very relevant and some, not so much! This blog is mostly about the importance of being able to read music notes and how it will play a role in the drumming lessons that I offer.
So let’s be honest. Nobody wants to go through the tedious learning curve of learning music notes! Even yours truly played “by ear” for many years before taking “the plunge” and getting educated in reading music notes! Who even knew that “drums have music notes”? All that I wanted to do is have fun and jam behind the drums! Oh yes, the fun element…
With so many platforms where one can see how countless drummers and bands are having “fun” living out their passion! You see them jamming behind their instruments looking the part and playing it very good too! Who would’ve guessed that YES, some are very well “trained” in their craft and some are just playing “by ear”.
Does this mean to be a great player, you HAVE to learn music notes? Not necessarily. Some people were just born with more musical talent than others and some can play drums without having to read music notes. BUT, this is a very big but. These individuals are in the minority and some, if they are honest with themselves, will even tell you that they would want to learn reading notes, “…but it looks too difficult and scary…” so they just carry on jamming, without evolving!
To put all of the above in context. Some musicians are able to read music notes and it does take time to grasp the language. But once they are able to understand the basics, a whole new world will open up and enable them to facilitate the skills that come with reading music notes. Will this take the “fun out of drumming lessons”? No. Basics in note reading will make it possible for the student to understand the language that is drumming and give them the “upper hand”, improving at a faster pace than the “wannabe drummers” that are not willing to just give it a go.
To put it simply. If a student understands basic note reading, grasping the elementary essentials of music theory, they will find it easier to process information taught. I do not hammer on the deep theory side of note reading that will make Mozart cry, but the basics are needed to establish a foundation and measure progress. This skill gives the student the upper hand in any musical environment, whether it be for music grading or jamming with friends for fun!