What to Know Before You Take Your First Drum Lesson

Learning to play the drums can open up many opportunities, allowing you to jam with friends, learn to enjoy music more, and maybe even consider a career in music. When you’re ready to take the first step in learning the drums by getting started with drum lessons, you’re probably a little uncertain of what to expect. That’s why we’ve prepared some information about what you should know before your first drum lesson.

Music lessons at Sage Music are different from the lessons that you’d experience from other music schools. Not only do we seek out the best music teachers, but then we train them on how to help you grow as a musician. Here are just a few things to expect from your drum lessons at Sage Music, thanks to the specialized training that your teacher will have received.

At Sage Music, we tailor your lessons around your specific goals as a musician. Your teacher will sit down and talk with you about what’s motivating you to learn the drums. You’ll talk about specific goals that you might have, like to play the drums in a school band or to be able to play the drums and accompany your child on their instrument. Then, your teacher will structure your lessons so that they help you to achieve those goals.

To start, think about the reasons behind why you want to learn the drums and come up with a list of a few goals. If you’re not sure of specific goals yet, that’s okay. Your teacher can help you to iron out the details of some of these goals, and your goals may also change as you learn more and discover more about what you like about music. Your teacher will always be happy to adjust your plan to address these new and changing goals.

In addition to your lessons, plan to invest in some materials to help you learn the drums. A metronome is a must-have, since it can help you to learn to follow and keep a steady beat, improving your accuracy and rhythm. You’ll also need a set of good drum sticks, a method book, and a practice pad to start. Your teacher can help you to find appropriate materials and ensure that you buy items that will serve you well.

If you don’t yet have a drum or drum set, don’t worry, and don’t go out and buy an instrument right before your first lesson. Instead, talk with your teacher about the type of instrument that is best suited for your needs. Drums come in many different types, styles, and sizes, and the quality of these instruments varies, too. Your teacher can recommend some options so that the instrument that you do buy will last you for years and will help you to become a better musician, rather than holding you back with flaws and issues.

Now is also the time to think about how music will fit into your life and your schedule. In addition to attending your weekly music lessons, you’ll need to schedule time to practice the drums. This can be challenging at first, especially if you have a busy schedule, but if you block out time for practicing, it will become a routine and habit that will turn into a standard part of your daily life.

We understand that students have busy schedules, so Sage Music has multiple locations to make getting to your music lessons more convenient. Our first location is in Long Island City, Queens, and our second location is in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Our flexible lesson schedule also offers you plenty of choices in booking your lessons; lessons are offered on Mondays through Thursdays from 10 am to 9 pm. On Fridays, lessons are held from 10 am through 7 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays lessons are available from 9 am to 7 pm. This flexibility works well with most students’ schedules.

At Sage Music, we welcome musicians of all experience levels, and you don’t need a musical background to become a student here. Our teachers know how to work with complete beginners as well as more advanced musicians. The most important thing is that you’re ready to learn and excited about your journey as a musician. We want this to be a fun and enjoyable experience for you, and as you learn the drums, you may explore many of the other opportunities that are available, from composing music to performing in groups.