Guitar or drums ? whats the easiest way to learn
Discussion
I'd get lessons if you can afford them. I thought a couple of years ago if someone like Liam G can play the guitar I should be able to. Bought a guitar, a computer teaching programme and a dummy's guide. They might as well have been written in Greek for all the good they did me. So, I thought I'd get some lessons. One of these days I will . . . 
You can teach yourself anything but there is no 'easy' way! Hard work and application are paramount, along with memory, internalising all you learn and listen to and self expression.
Buy some theory books, go to a teacher a couple of times a month if you have to and dig in. Very rewarding once you become fluent in your own style.
Good luck.
Buy some theory books, go to a teacher a couple of times a month if you have to and dig in. Very rewarding once you become fluent in your own style.
Good luck.
You can't beat one to one lessons - or, failing that, group lessons. These days, there are lots of evening courses held for all sorts of musical instruments - but chiefly guitars and keyboards.
If you don't do lessons, an alternative is getting hold of audio, video or DVD tuition guides. They aren't as goos as real lessons but better than nothing.
Also, just listening to music or watching performers at work will help you understand what is involved.
I taught myself basic folk guitar about 20 years ago using a combination of all the above (except DVDs of course - they hadn't been invented).
If you don't do lessons, an alternative is getting hold of audio, video or DVD tuition guides. They aren't as goos as real lessons but better than nothing.
Also, just listening to music or watching performers at work will help you understand what is involved.
I taught myself basic folk guitar about 20 years ago using a combination of all the above (except DVDs of course - they hadn't been invented).
Firstly, guitar vs drums:
You can play an electric guitar in a flat with headphones on without disturbing anyone. You can't do this with acoustic drums, but you can with electric drums.
Drums aren't as interesting as the guitar to play on their own.
Once you become proficient, you will discover that no-one seems to be looking for guitarists, as every band has about 4, but everyone wants a drummer.
The two instruments have very different skills associated with them - try and think what you prefer doing.
Secondly, how to learn:
For the guitar (the instrument I play) I'd definately reccomend a few lessons to start with to get the right technique (much like tennis or motor racing, bad technique is hard to unlearn and will hamper you in the future). The main thing though is just practise. When I started, I had ten lessons once a fortnight, and played for 3 to 4 hours a day. Within five months I was on stage playing my first gig. When my friend James started, I wrote a booklet on how to play the guitar for him (now sadly dead and gone with my old computer), and he just practised in his bedroom, with the odd tip from me. He is fairly competant now.
I would reccomend having some lessons at the start, and practising as much as you can. The most important thing is playing music that you like - that way you'll be motivated to practise and you'll learn to replicate the subtle intricacies of rhythm etc that you know very well in your favourite songs. I got songs out of guitar magazines, which also give tips and often come with a CD to play along with (playing along with a CD is great for learning, and more satisfying). Obviously, when finding a teacher, note the difference between Classical guitar (reading music) and Pop/Rock guitar (playing by ear).
As you begin to improve and are able to play a few chords, I'd strongly reccomend that you start to look into music theory, and begin to understand why you are playing the notes and chords that you are. This will greatly improve your learning, playing and enjoyment.
You can play an electric guitar in a flat with headphones on without disturbing anyone. You can't do this with acoustic drums, but you can with electric drums.
Drums aren't as interesting as the guitar to play on their own.
Once you become proficient, you will discover that no-one seems to be looking for guitarists, as every band has about 4, but everyone wants a drummer.
The two instruments have very different skills associated with them - try and think what you prefer doing.
Secondly, how to learn:
For the guitar (the instrument I play) I'd definately reccomend a few lessons to start with to get the right technique (much like tennis or motor racing, bad technique is hard to unlearn and will hamper you in the future). The main thing though is just practise. When I started, I had ten lessons once a fortnight, and played for 3 to 4 hours a day. Within five months I was on stage playing my first gig. When my friend James started, I wrote a booklet on how to play the guitar for him (now sadly dead and gone with my old computer), and he just practised in his bedroom, with the odd tip from me. He is fairly competant now.
I would reccomend having some lessons at the start, and practising as much as you can. The most important thing is playing music that you like - that way you'll be motivated to practise and you'll learn to replicate the subtle intricacies of rhythm etc that you know very well in your favourite songs. I got songs out of guitar magazines, which also give tips and often come with a CD to play along with (playing along with a CD is great for learning, and more satisfying). Obviously, when finding a teacher, note the difference between Classical guitar (reading music) and Pop/Rock guitar (playing by ear).
As you begin to improve and are able to play a few chords, I'd strongly reccomend that you start to look into music theory, and begin to understand why you are playing the notes and chords that you are. This will greatly improve your learning, playing and enjoyment.
Lessons certainly aren't the only way to learn, but they help. I had lessons for the first 4 years of playing, but really I only needed to sort out the basics and get my technique right, after that I was only being taught scales, modes, arppegios etc. all of which I could have taught myself. You could easily get away with about 6 months worth, even less if you're a quick learner.
As for drums vs. guitar, drums are very cool to bang about on and the other guitarist in my first band quit guitar after a few years and became a drummer but... if you can play guitar, you can grab your acoustic and bang out a few popular tunes around a campfire, getting everyone to sing along etc., but I don't think I have ever sat around a campfire listening to a dummer tap out some paradiddles on his full kit...
As for drums vs. guitar, drums are very cool to bang about on and the other guitarist in my first band quit guitar after a few years and became a drummer but... if you can play guitar, you can grab your acoustic and bang out a few popular tunes around a campfire, getting everyone to sing along etc., but I don't think I have ever sat around a campfire listening to a dummer tap out some paradiddles on his full kit...
Guitar, lessons do help, but you can learn by yourself. Also as said above it's a much quiter and cheaper option. Drums it is much better to have lessons. Both my brother's play and I tried to teach myself, but sadly it was lost on me, (I am vaguely musical, playing the flute, bass and electric guitar). But when one of my brothers went away I took over his lessons for a couple of months. I learn't so much. If is very satisfying to play them and you feel much more cooordinated when you get the beat right.
I think the pros and cons of drums versus guitar boils down to what really takes your fancy.... and is it practically easy for you to play drums in your house.
I play both: Originally, as a teenager, drums in a cover band for about 10 years, then took up guitar later. I still play both now. I am fortunate enough to have a basement room to keep the drum kit in so it is set up permanantly so I can play as and when I want: If I had to set it up every time I wanted to play I doubt I would play much at all.
I play both accoustic and electric guitar (and recently bass for a laugh) and thinking about it probably spend five times as much time playing guitar as drums even though I enjoy both equally:I guess its just easier to sit down with a guitar.
On lessons I would strongly recommend at least a few on either: There is a lot you can teach yourself but even a few months with agood teacher makes a huge difference.
I now have a teenage son who plays drums and daughter that plays guitar, both have lessons regularly and are going to be better than me by the look of things. It's hillarious when we play together!
Food for thought
M
I play both: Originally, as a teenager, drums in a cover band for about 10 years, then took up guitar later. I still play both now. I am fortunate enough to have a basement room to keep the drum kit in so it is set up permanantly so I can play as and when I want: If I had to set it up every time I wanted to play I doubt I would play much at all.
I play both accoustic and electric guitar (and recently bass for a laugh) and thinking about it probably spend five times as much time playing guitar as drums even though I enjoy both equally:I guess its just easier to sit down with a guitar.
On lessons I would strongly recommend at least a few on either: There is a lot you can teach yourself but even a few months with agood teacher makes a huge difference.
I now have a teenage son who plays drums and daughter that plays guitar, both have lessons regularly and are going to be better than me by the look of things. It's hillarious when we play together!
Food for thought
M
Whichever you choose, just be prepared for the fact that learning to play any musical instrument is really hard, and it takes months to be able to play even the most basic songs. However, If you stick with it you will find it unbelievably rewarding.
The reason there are so many 'DJs' around, is because it's piss easy, anyone can do it, and you can sound good immediately.
The reason there are so many 'DJs' around, is because it's piss easy, anyone can do it, and you can sound good immediately.
evil jack said:
Whichever you choose, just be prepared for the fact that learning to play any musical instrument is really hard, and it takes months to be able to play even the most basic songs. However, If you stick with it you will find it unbelievably rewarding.
The reason there are so many 'DJs' around, is because it's piss easy, anyone can do it, and you can sound good immediately.
Well, I also DJ and have to disagree! DJing well is jolly hard. I was playing the lead part to the "Sultans of Swing" all the way through within 6 months of taking up the guitar. Six months after starting to learn to mix, I could just about string a twenty minute mix together! I did practise mixing a lot less though.. (not as interesting to do!) mixing is definately a tricky skill to master though!
Playing the drums is what everyone tells you they wish they could play...
But the reality is that the guitarist gets more limelight, its easier and more interesting to learn from a 'standing start', you can practice the guitar without making enemies with your surrounding neighbourhood, you can have a smaller sportier car without the need to drag a drum kit round with you, you can buy a guitar relatively cheaply but a drum kit plus stands, cymbals and shells will cost you a lot if you want something thats going to be serviceable...
Just IMO obviously.
In all seriousness though I would suggest you evaluate which instrument (if either of these) actually holds an interest for you. To be good at something and stick to it you need to have a certain amount of passion/desire to want to do it. I knew I could play drums before I played them, I knew that was what I would play. It would have been very hard to motivate myself to play the guitar however cool it might be standing at the front of that stage.
Good luck with whatever you do - and get in a band asap, its the best learning ground IMO.
Dom (Drummer!!!)
But the reality is that the guitarist gets more limelight, its easier and more interesting to learn from a 'standing start', you can practice the guitar without making enemies with your surrounding neighbourhood, you can have a smaller sportier car without the need to drag a drum kit round with you, you can buy a guitar relatively cheaply but a drum kit plus stands, cymbals and shells will cost you a lot if you want something thats going to be serviceable...
Just IMO obviously.
In all seriousness though I would suggest you evaluate which instrument (if either of these) actually holds an interest for you. To be good at something and stick to it you need to have a certain amount of passion/desire to want to do it. I knew I could play drums before I played them, I knew that was what I would play. It would have been very hard to motivate myself to play the guitar however cool it might be standing at the front of that stage.
Good luck with whatever you do - and get in a band asap, its the best learning ground IMO.
Dom (Drummer!!!)
A911DOM said:
Playing the drums is what everyone tells you they wish they could play...
But the reality is that the guitarist gets more limelight, its easier and more interesting to learn from a 'standing start', you can practice the guitar without making enemies with your surrounding neighbourhood, you can have a smaller sportier car without the need to drag a drum kit round with you, you can buy a guitar relatively cheaply but a drum kit plus stands, cymbals and shells will cost you a lot if you want something thats going to be serviceable...
Just IMO obviously.
In all seriousness though I would suggest you evaluate which instrument (if either of these) actually holds an interest for you. To be good at something and stick to it you need to have a certain amount of passion/desire to want to do it. I knew I could play drums before I played them, I knew that was what I would play. It would have been very hard to motivate myself to play the guitar however cool it might be standing at the front of that stage.
Good luck with whatever you do - and get in a band asap, its the best learning ground IMO.
Dom (Drummer!!!)
Very wise words there. Practicality is a big issue, but you need to think about where your passion lies. I took up the cello last year. Totally impractical with an Elise on the way, but it just excited me more than any other orchestral instrument. (I've since found it out that it does fit in an Elise - just!)
I taught myself to play both I found guitar was a bit harder to get a good result but more satisfying. Good points have been made about learning the drums being F*&$ing annoying to anyone within earshot. I gave drums up because we moved house & it was not neighbour friendly 
I didn't find the basics of DJing difficult, however my brother is a pro-musician and far more talented than me but cannot get the hang of beat matching. The real skill imo is not being musical in the "traditional" sense of the word - it's about being able to work the crowd. I have a lot of time for proper DJ's who create a lot of the music they play, otherwise IMO it's a bit of an easy option compared to learning an instrument properly. As others have said, every man & his dog are "DJ's". If you had a lone musician in a pub with the ability of many pub DJ's, they would get chucked out within minutes.
I didn't find the basics of DJing difficult, however my brother is a pro-musician and far more talented than me but cannot get the hang of beat matching. The real skill imo is not being musical in the "traditional" sense of the word - it's about being able to work the crowd. I have a lot of time for proper DJ's who create a lot of the music they play, otherwise IMO it's a bit of an easy option compared to learning an instrument properly. As others have said, every man & his dog are "DJ's". If you had a lone musician in a pub with the ability of many pub DJ's, they would get chucked out within minutes.
bga said:
I didn't find the basics of DJing difficult, however my brother is a pro-musician and far more talented than me but cannot get the hang of beat matching. The real skill imo is not being musical in the "traditional" sense of the word - it's about being able to work the crowd. I have a lot of time for proper DJ's who create a lot of the music they play, otherwise IMO it's a bit of an easy option compared to learning an instrument properly. As others have said, every man & his dog are "DJ's". If you had a lone musician in a pub with the ability of many pub DJ's, they would get chucked out within minutes.
Oh sure, without doubt!
Most pub DJs can't even mix! I was referring to the sort of quality of mixing that you get from people like Paul van Dyk or, diversely, Eddie Halliwell. That sort of thing takes years of practise and doesn't come to everyone. It is interesting what you say about your brother... I'm far from a professional musician like your brother is, but in an amateur way I play two instruments, write my own scores (my band has a string quartet) and have a very strong sense of rhythm (moreso than pitch anyway! lol) - however I find mixing very hard indeed! I have met people who seem to just pick it up straight away though. Interesting!Cheers fellas, looks like the guitar to start with. I really want to learn the drums but don't think it is going to be possible where I am at the moment. I have mates in a band and they will let me have a bang on their drums and let me join in with them for a laugh so a few lessons, few dvds, and lots of practice here I come.
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