DRUM LESSONS

sketch of drums

Interested in playing drums? Improve your rhythm with drum lessons from Sloan School of Music! Due to popular demand, we are pleased to offer drumming lessons 7 days a week to accommodate our students’ schedules.

Whether you are looking to drum in a band, simply are looking for a new hobby or if your passion is to play in an orchestra, we will help you accomplish your percussion goals.

We offer easily accessible lessons for drummers at every skill level, from beginner to advanced, with emphasis on every aspect of drumming.

Maryland Locations

(Virtual Lessons Available)

Man playing drums

WHAT TO EXPECT:

History of Drums

Drums are perhaps the oldest instrument in the world. The earliest percussion instruments were idiophones made from mammoth bones, and they were first used nearly 70,000 years ago. The first drums, however, didn’t appear until around 5500 BCE, and these Chinese instruments were made of alligator skins. 

Early civilizations quickly embraced the drum, and Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all included drums in their religious ceremonies. Early drums typically consisted of leather stretched over a wooden frame. This evolved into the snare drum and the tom-tom, and eventually, the drum kit and electronic drums appeared on the scene. 

Different civilizations and cultures continue to use different types of drums, but these classic instruments exist worldwide and have a presence in almost every genre of music. Musicians rely on the drums to set the rhythm for a song, so the drummer is a key player in most bands.

Benefits of Taking Drum Lessons

Taking drum lessons helps you learn how to play the drums, but the value of lessons goes far beyond just developing musical abilities. Drum lessons offer the following benefits to children and adults.

Drum Lessons Refine Skills

Lessons can help people of all levels refine their drumming skills. Even professional drummers occasionally take lessons. They know they can learn a lot from people who have spent more time drumming. 

Lessons Are as Important as New Equipment

It’s fun to buy new equipment, but if you don’t know how to use it correctly, you won’t be able to optimize the sound. Learning how to play well will make it even more rewarding to play your new drum set.

In-Person Drum Lessons Provide Customized Instructions

There are many video lessons online that promise to teach you how to drum, but these lessons take a one-size-fits-all approach. They aren’t the same as working with an instructor. An in-person instructor can observe you and tailor the lesson to your unique strengths and weaknesses. 

Taking music lessons can also help you in other ways. You learn how to persevere at a task, you develop time management skills as you fit practice into your busy schedule, and you get to tap into your creative side. Learning an instrument like the drums also has proven therapeutic benefits and can boost your IQ.

FAQs About Drum Lessons

Drum Lessons for Kid

Prospective drumming students contact us with many different questions, and to point you in the right direction, we have put together answers to some of the questions we hear most frequently. Don’t hesitate to contact the team at Sloan School of Music with any of your questions.

How Old Do You Need to Be for Drum Lessons?

You can start drum lessons at any age if you’re able to pay attention, listen to instructions, and hold onto a drumstick. Many people start from ages 9  to 13, but others start at younger ages or well into adulthood.

Do You Need to Own a Drum Kit?

You do not need to own a full drum kit to take drum lessons, but you will need something to practice on. Many beginners, for example, use electronic drums or a single snare drum for practice until they are ready to invest in something more extensive. 

Can You Learn to Play the Drums Online?

You can certainly learn a few things from an online drumming lesson, but you should sign up for an in-person lesson for the best results.

Can You Take Lessons for Any Type of Drum?

You can take drum lessons that show you how to play different types of drums. Lessons can focus on drum sets, marching drums, bongos, goblet drums, timpani, steel drums, and more. Knowing what kind of music you want to play will guide you toward the right drum for that genre; the experienced staff at Sloan School of Music can help with that. 

How Much Do Drum Lessons Cost?

The cost of a drum lesson varies, so contact us directly to learn about costs. Don’t automatically choose the cheapest option. You deserve to work with a high-quality professional.

Do you have additional questions? Want to learn more about drums or talk about drum lessons? The team at Sloan School of Music is always happy to answer your questions.

Drumming Lessons for All Ages

At Sloan School of Music, we are happy to offer drumming and percussion lessons for everyone from preschool to adult, regardless of experience.

Our broad selection of percussion instruments are available in sizes and configurations to suit players of all sizes. With extensive instruction and performance experience, our instructors can tailor your lesson plans and pace your learning to ensure that you get the most from your lessons and practice sessions.

For beginners, we offer extensive training on drum pads, to establish solid technique and a sense of rhythm. As our students achieve higher levels of skill and understanding, they graduate to the use of full sets and professional-grade percussion equipment, up to and including drum sets, xylophones, and other specialized instruments.

little kid practicing drums

QUALIFIED AND HELPFUL INSTRUCTION

drum instructor teaching student how to play drums

At Sloan School of Music, we are happy to offer drumming and percussion lessons for everyone from preschool to adult, regardless of experience.

Our broad selection of percussion instruments are available in sizes and configurations to suit players of all sizes. With extensive instruction and performance experience, our instructors can tailor your lesson plans and pace your learning to ensure that you get the most from your lessons and practice sessions.

For beginners, we offer extensive training on drum pads, to establish solid technique and a sense of rhythm. As our students achieve higher levels of skill and understanding, they graduate to the use of full sets and professional-grade percussion equipment, up to and including drum sets, xylophones, and other specialized instruments.

COMPREHENSIVE MUSIC EDUCATION

Not only will you learn excellent technique, posture, and instrument care, our experts will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the principles of music theory, including meters, beat shifting, and modulation.

You will learn to understand the fundamentals of dynamics and tempo, and comprehensive exercises and pieces will help you to apply the knowledge to further improve your drumming abilities.

Depending on your focus, our lessons extend to performance tips and tricks, so you can feel comfortable and confident in a variety of on and offstage settings.

group of artists playing various instruments with main singer

Overview of Sloan Locations

The Sloan School of Music has two convenient locations in Hagerstown and Frederick (Urbana) in Maryland. Both offer private rooms for drum lessons, performance spaces, group practice areas, and recording studios. Each one also has a retail store stocked with carefully curated, high-quality drums and other musical instruments. 

Our locations also offer free Wi-Fi, complimentary beverages, and a comfortable environment with modern furniture and signed music memorabilia on display.

Why Choose Sloan School of Music

We are committed to providing our students with the best music instruction possible from highly experienced, well-educated instructors. We have everything you need for your drumming journey, including lesson spaces, group classrooms for band practices, performance facilities, and even a recording space.

Students who choose Sloan School of Music can get more than just private lessons. They can also sign up for band programs and more, all under one roof. Our retail store also gives our drumming students access to the best brands of instruments and accessories, chosen by staff members who are experienced players and teachers themselves.

We have a comfortable waiting room with Wi-Fi and other amenities for parents who accompany their children to lessons or for students waiting for their lessons to start.

Contact the Sloan School of Music and Book a Drum Lesson Today

We are passionate about drumming, and we would love to help you learn this instrument. Contact Sloan School of Music for more information about musical instruments, accessories, lessons, and more. You can also use the online booking form on our contact page to schedule a drum lesson right now.

DRUM INSTRUCTORS

Interested in taking up drums? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned drummer looking to hone your craft. Either way, Sloan School of Music has instructors for all skill levels. Check out our instructors below, and be sure to schedule a lesson when you find one that you click with.

bailey kercheval playing drums

BAILEY KERCHEVAL

kris nigh playing trombone on stage headshot

KRIS NIGH

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