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Question: I want to play the drums but!.!.!.!.!.!?
i want to play the drums but im not sure because i want to be able to tell what song it is when i play it instead of it just sounding like a ummm!.!.!.!.not a song!.!.!.!.!.( i know it wont sound like a song by itself tho i just want to know if you can tell what song your playing!.!.!.kinda)!.i want to know when you play the frums if it sounds somewhat like a song or just a beat!.!.!.i have a friend who plays guitar so we could play together and it would sound real but does it sound good by itself!.!.!.!.i want to know more about drums before i start (duh) any thing you could tell em would be appreciated!.!.!.thanks! Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Well, I've played over 100 musical instruments, including percussion!. So let me tell you:

Regardless of the instrument you play, if you are really working in music, you will have a lot of times when you are just filling out the parts!. When a 2nd violin player performs in the symphony, most of the time you could not tell the piece they play from just their part--it's mostly just component notes in a harmony!. But once in a while that 2nd violin has a part that's recognizable!.

So whether I play bass, guitar, flute, sax, percussion, or keys, much of the time my part is not the important one--and then I get a few moments in the sun!.

So most of the time as a drummer, you're just providing a nice solid shuffle or backbeat or hip-hop rhythm or whatever, and the same part could do for hundreds of different songs!. But then there's the drum part that stands out, that says "This is the song you're hearing now" without any of the other instruments!.

Want to hear an example!? Get Little Feat's "Waiting for Columbus" and listen to "Time Loves a Hero!." One of the greatest examples of rock drumming ever, Richie Hayward ought to be given a medal and a permanent exhibit at the rock and roll hall of fame (if those wankers had any taste to begin with)!.!.!.there are also some Sting tracks that show that level of sensitivity in the drum parts, and IMO the ultimate rock drummer is Dave Matthews' Band, Carter Beauford--his intro to "Tripping Billies" might illustrate what drums can do for you!.

Now--a lot depends on what musicians you play with!. If you're good enough and lucky enough to back up a Dave Matthews/Little Feat/Sting, then yes you have an opportunity to play drum parts that have a unique, recognizable character!. If you just wind up playing for the cover band that works at the local beer joint, probably not as much!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A drum by itself sounds like a drum by itself!. If you want to be playing a more melodic, recognizable part of a song take some voice or guitar lessons!.

Whether or not one will be able to figure out which song you're playing will vary based on both the style of music and the prominence of the drum part in that given song!.

That being said, learning the drums is still a wonderful thing to do!. If you really want to get into drums read up on tempo and rhythm and learn how the drums fit into whatever style of music you intend upon playing!. Recognize this, experience this, appreciate this!. While I originally saw the Bass as a lesser guitar part I began to really get into the instrument as I learned its purpose and how to use it effectively!.

Learning drums will no doubt be an enriching experience; just don't go in there expecting to sound melodic all by your lonesome - you'll be setting yourself up for disappointment!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't play drums -- although I do play several other instruments -- but my impression is that drums, or any other percussion instrument, played by themselves, just produce a beat!. Without a singer or some kind of melody instrument, it's not something that most people could recognize as a specific song and sing along with -- although in the words of Sly and The Family Stone, "All you need is a drummer, for people who only need a beat" in order for them to "Dance To The Music" (OK, I realize I'm showing my age, LOL!)!.

Drums are probably the ultimate ensemble instrument, in that a good drummer can make a band or jam group sound GREAT -- and a really good drummer is ALWAYS in demand -- but played by themselves, there's not much there to listen to!.

If your friend plays guitar along with you, it would sound better -- but even then, if all he/she does is strum chords along with the beat, its still not going to sound much like a recognizable song -- you'll still need one of you to sing in order for that to happen!. Www@QuestionHome@Com