Question:
Should I start learning the drums?
?
2013-01-10 10:06:09 UTC
I've been learning the saxophone since Year 4 (am now in Year 9). I've passed Grades 1-3 classical and passed my grade 4 jazz with merit last year. I'm going to do grade 5 at the end of spring term. I have a lesson every week and play in an intermediate concert band.
I know it would probably cost a fair amount but i've just quit netball so my mum is keen for me to do something new (as am i) and it might be easier to persuade her to let me learn the drums cos she doesn't have to pay for my netball any more.
I really like McFly and love Harry's drumming and the way it sounds. My brother's just started learning the guitar so it would be cool if i could accompany him.
The only real problem is trying to get my parents on board especially as i have quit a few things so i'd have to persuade them that i won't and also they probably wouldn't like the loudness. Also, i don't practice my sax as often as i should (hardly ever) so i'd have to show them that i would practice both.
so should i ask or not? in music this term we're being given a chance to try out a new instrument so maybe i should wait till then and see if i like it? do you think i could cope with two instruments? would it be hard to learn?
thanks :)
Eight answers:
2013-01-10 10:09:46 UTC
No.
2016-02-24 03:12:41 UTC
Guitar isn't a trend. That's like saying singing is a trend. I am personally an advocate for self-teaching. I never took lessons on guitar or drums or piano. Decide which instrument you think you will need the most help with (I would assume guitar) and take some lessons there. Then, when you practice guitar, also do some drum exercises on your own. This will help you if you want to write songs. The more instruments you understand, the better your arrangements will be. If you know guitar, then you can do bass. If you understand some of the theory behind guitar and bass, then you can play piano. All the while you will also be practicing drums. That's a full band. Diversity, diversity, diversity.
2016-05-17 17:20:14 UTC
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2016-02-17 07:41:47 UTC
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?
2013-01-10 10:46:50 UTC
Drums are a very... different instrument from the sax. If you're given the opportunity to try before setting down to try it, I suggest doing that. It'll be a huge change, and yeah, they are very, very loud. You'll be stuffing your drums within a week of buying them, I'd bet.



In relation to your brother, you could totally accompany his guitar with the saxophone anyway. Most teachers move their students into jazz and blues within a relatively short time, and until then, you can rock out on the saxophone to whatever he's playing, no problem. There have been a fairly large number of rock songs that have featured the saxophone. For instance, this highly famous tune with a gorgeous sax solo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UzBSxoXVRs

You could really easily play around with it to give the sax more playtime, too.



Or, how about the Boss? Jungleland has a great sax solo, as well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR_0nbEzVdY



And then, of course, there's this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3khH9ih2XJg

How can anyone ever forget Bob Seger's Turn the Page? It's a pretty easy song to play on guitar, and it sounds great.



Another option, he's pretty much guaranteed to learn "Mr. Bojangles", I've yet to meet a guitar teacher who doesn't teach his students that song, and you could play King Curtis' version, which is entirely saxophone, to his guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGcZ37--BXM



These are just suggestions for the saxophone. There are a thousand things you could do, including learn the drums, but if you go that route, I seriously recommend trying it before buying it, so to speak.



Here are a few other suggestions for new instruments, if you decide the drums just aren't for you:

Guitar (I know, your brother plays, but it truly is an amazing instrument. I've been playing for years)

Bass (More or less the same, thicker stringers, wider frets, longer fretboard, of course, and less strings. I've been playing this longer than guitar)

Banjo (Easier tuning than the guitar, different sound, but you can jam)

Piano (The piano is fun. It's not hard to play, once you figure out where the notes are, and it's an instrument that never needs anyone else for it to shine - like the sax. I've dabbled for a few years, myself.)

Trumpet (This is another fun instrument. Great for a whole plethora of genres, but you might be able to talk your brother into doing some ska-punk, like Goldfinger or Reel Big Fish.)

Trombone (See: Trumpet)

Harmonica (A very... unpopular instrument, although I've never understood why. The harmonica has a somber sound, which is why it's so good for blues and country, but it can also be really upbeat and fun(see: Free Willy), hence its use in bluegrass, as well. I've been playing around with these since I was a kid.)

Tin Whistle (These are one of my favourite instruments. They're simple, yet elegant, and so much fun. Great for all kinds of folk.)

Pan flute (On that note, the pan flute is a ridiculously beautiful-sounding instrument, haunting and hollow and just fantastic. Plus, it has a really cool, exotic sound to it)

Violin/Fiddle (I'm partial to the fiddle myself. Toe-tapping, intricate and delicate, perfect for Western-European folk styles, especially Celtic)
2013-01-10 10:10:45 UTC
Yes! It is a great thing to get doing, You should! Great hobby, i Used to plays drums, i love it, Every year when i was young my mother always got me a musical instruments for my birthday. Musical Instruments is a great hobby! :)
2013-01-11 05:00:37 UTC
Yes. You obviously want to, and you have the opportunity, so go for it. I used to play (poorly) and really enjoyed it.
?
2013-01-10 10:06:37 UTC
es


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