Beginning drums....?

Question:Should I first focus on the snare (stick control) or is it ok to start working on rhythms on the set?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Should I first focus on the snare (stick control) or is it ok to start working on rhythms on the set?

If you are just starting it will be to your advantage to work with the snare drum for now. Learn all of you basic rudiments and how to read quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, etc. But really as long as you work on that every day it is fine to start trying beats on the kick, snare and hi-hat. Just don't let your stick control practice go by the wayside because the other stuff is more fun.

until you think you are comfortable to move on,

When I started, I started with the snare first. Like, I learned all the rudiments and rhythms and everything, and then i built from there. Once you master snare drum, it's easy to add the bass and hi-hat. And once you're confident enough, add the toms. Good luck!!

For all new instrumentalists, I recommend at least a dozen lessons with a good teacher. If you don't learn proper technique--how to properly hold the sticks and mallets, how to strike the head, etc.--then you will never become the drummer you could be. And if you do things wrong for too long, you risk repetitive motion injuries--so get a teacher to help you get the fundamentals down properly, at least.

I can't emphasize that enough--I constantly must go back to my basic instruction on percussion. The most important lessons I had on any instrument were the first ones.

Once you've had a dozen or so lessons and your fundamental technique is sound, you can go on without a teacher if you wish--in which case get instructional videos. I'm really fond of "Under the Table and Drumming" by Carter Beauford, but there are lots of good ones--look for used on ebay or at a used book shop to save $$$.

Now, there's no hard and fast rule for when to start on the full set. If you have it there, go ahead and play on it. Take it slow--the rule is: correctly first, fast later.

Get some recording of Gene Krupa from the 40's and 50's.
He was the best.

RHYTHM, RHYTHM, RHYTHM!

work on your basic beats first....get your drum grooves solid, timing down first. That is priority #1 first of all as a beginner drummer.

Focus on doing solos later after you have mastered doing basic drum beats first. As a drummer, you have to be able to lay down solid grooves down, keep your timing tight and set the foundation in songs. That's your job as drummer.
As a drummer....you need to be able to hold down the timing down solid. Dont worry about showing off to your friends. that comes later after you have mastered your drum solos, fills & etc. Aslo, learn other popular drumming styles like : Funk, Jazz, Techno, Salsa, Punk, Country, Pop, Disco, Industrial, Progressive rock & Metal drumming too. What makes a great drummer GREAT is their ability to mix in all these various styles and still hold down the timing in a song. Trust me on this. Good luck