Just what do you say about a student drummer who comes to you at 12 years old, and you already know on that first appointment that he is meant to grow to be one of the outstanding drummers in the world? That was my experience when Justin Faulkner came to me for lessons 6 years before. He didn’t possess the reading, hand technique, drum set coordination, and musical expertise that he has now at eighteen, but his playing of the drum kit was incredible.
Similar to lots of drummers who start actively playing as a young whipper snapper, Justin was actively playing by ear. This meant that he could copy what other drummers were playing, but he had not learned to read music at that time. This occurs when youngsters start drumming when they are little. I really think the ideal instrument for very young children is to learn the piano. This will provide them the best basis they need at this critical age to learn any other instrument, including persussion.
Since Justin could already play the drums, learning how to read music was quite a challenge. He was positive that reading music wasn’t required. The truth is, there was a some level of frustration on his part (and mine) when I needed to take him back to learn easy notes, values and rhythms. The key is to bring the reading level up to an equal level as the playing level. Just how do you go about doing that? The pupil (and parent) must understand that success will happen, and the pupil will be much better off in the long run. Patience and trust are imperative.
The one thing a teacher needs to do in this circumstance is not let the pupil get too upset. If that happens it could bring about a situation where the student desires to find a different teacher (who will let him/her to keep on the same track he/she is already on without learning to read music) , or even worse, wants to abandon the instrument completely. The student needs to go back to the basics, but must be prompted at the same time.
Plan part of the lesson on the basics of reading and method on the snare drum and drum kit, but also allow part of each lesson where the pupil can play something they enjoy. Have them bring in their favorite CD to accompany and guide them with that in the event that they have any kind of questions. Demonstrate to them (on paper) the fill or rock pattern that they may be playing to allow them to see what it looks like, and instruct them to read simple rock patterns and fills from any fundamental book. If there are two drum kits in your studio (as you can find in mine), trade 4’s with your student and teach them about improvisation. Encouragement and fun is the key.
Why should a student learn how to read music when they can already play well without it? After all, you are able to have fun (and even earn an income) playing the drums and not know how to read music. Actually, I have been teaching some of the finest single style drummers in this area today that weren’t able to read music. But whenever they understood that reading could throw open new variations and approaches to them, they identified that this was truly the proper way.
So now the student does not have to rely on another person to show him or her exactly how the part should go. Now the pupil can go beyond his or her specialized niche and play whatever they want. Now they can read a drum set chart in their school jazz band, or play percussion in their school band or orchestra. The can now learn different patterns on the drum kit that are over and above their comfort level, and understand what they are playing. Now they can play diverse gigs and make a better living. Just as someone who can read a book, now the entire world is available to them.
Whatever level you achieve or what your goals are, to get better on the drums you must learn how to read music. The pupil will become a better drummer, and more people will desire to play with them. Reading music will widen your horizons and test your mind. It can make you more self-sufficient.
So if you really want to learn how to play drums, you will also need to learn how to read music too. Regardless of whether you are a beginner drummer or an accomplished one before you begin reading music, rest assured it will expand your level of knowledge once you have perfected this.
