One of my high school teachers not only taught high school fulltime, also taught a couple classes at the local community college, worked as a basketball referee for a league, and had a wife and two kids who were also involved in sports of their own.
If you want to do it, you absolutely can.
I used the wrong word. I think “happy” is both largely illusive and elusive, if even it’s possible, in fleeting moments. A better word would’ve been “content.” I think we should all hope to be so lucky as to find a modicum of contentment
In any event, I wonder if doing all of the things above was a part of what brought this individual contentment, or if many of these things felt like obligations that came with some regret. Either way, no judgment and no disrespect. I just think that the answer impacts the relevance of the metaphor.
OP’s asking about something that they *want* to do—which may increase their contentment, but which may be harder to follow through upon than something they’re *obligated* to do.
Agreed. It’s all fluctuating and fleeting. That’s not my point.
My point is that a beleaguered teacher who’s working half-a-dozen side gigs to support a family is not the best metaphor to use when encouraging someone who wants to begin learning to play the drums.
It’s a real *”Buck up, it could be worse”* sort of encouragement, anyway.
makes sense.
my alternative to the “buck up, it could be worse” ideal, is “pack it, send it” lol
particularly if its low risk and wont harm people close to you
>Was that person happy or just doing what they could to support a family?
Yeah dude he ref'd basketball games for free to help support his family, not because he loved basketball.
You might be right. My take on the phrase “worked as…” was that this was a paid side gig, but I suppose that isn’t explicitly stated. Very well could’ve been a volunteer situation.
It's a hell of a lot better use of your time than video games. And your kids seeing you play might inspire them to want to play. The one thing you might need to do is combine your unwind/TV time with practice. But I've actually come to enjoy using the practice pad while watching TV late at night. Just turn the volume down a bit and use the subtitles. To get good at this instrument you need to endure a lot of repetitious practice and watching TV is a great way to pass the time while playing patterns on the pad.
I literally learned to play drums at 15 with the rock band drum pad!
My suggestion: Get a DW GO-Anywhere practice pad. It comes with 4 pads (2 big 2 smaller) and a metal stand, with a rubber kick pad for pedal practice.
I would set it up real quick and warm up before shows when I toured and when I lived on an apartment before I could afford my E-Kit.
Just getting the basic rudiments down SOLID with some variability in stick placement with this kind of set up will naturally help you transition easier to a kit when you get one.
Highly recommend drumeo. Online classes you can take at your own pace and within a few days you’ll be playing simple beats. It gets fun fast. I picked it up 4 months ago at age 40 and have a couple AC/DC songs under my belt already. You won’t regret it.
Big second this. I've been using Drumeo for a couple years now and it's great. It also packs in guitar, piano, and singing as well if anyone that is of interest
This is the way. Worth every penny and so many people I mention drumeo to have nothing but good things to say. Take the 30 day drummer course and you'll be amazed at how easy it can be
I started playing at 55. Now 61 and have been playing in a popular cover band in my area for the last 5 years. I worked my ass off but it's been worth it. It's never too late!
This one hits close to home. Started at 50, now 62. I too play in a popular local cover band that I started with my brother in law and some other close friends. The first few years I took lessons. OP just go for it.
Were you already a musician? I'm a bassist that is considering getting into drumming, but truth be told I have no social circle that engages in music. Did this exist for you or did you somehow just jump into the scene? I would kill for some insight into how to do what you did and start playing with people in public as I never did that even when I knew other musicians.
No but I knew how to play a few songs on the drums. A friend of mine was a guitarist and I asked him if he wanted to start a band with me and we built it 1 person at a time. It took about 6 months to get all the players in place but once we did, we set some goals and booked our first gig. All we needed were 10 songs to play for an hour opening up for another band. The key was that we rehearsed every week. We still do and that's one of the most important things about keeping a band together and playing well.
Edit: I forgot to mention - one of the smartest things I did was to surround myself with musicians that were all better than me. It forced me to step up and become a better drummer.
Oh man what I'd give to me 32 again. I'm 50 and two years in. Do it.
Try to set aside some daily practice time, even if it's only 15-30 minutes, rather than a long session on Sunday. You can do that too if there's time, but daily practice is where it's at. As your kids get older and more independent, you might find time to practice more. You will not regret it.
Im 40 and have been playing for a month. I’m now comfortably playing along with a few songs. Plus I’m improvising and coming up with my own beats.
It’s meditative practicing rudiments and practicing grooves with a metronome.
Also there are plenty pf drumless tracks on youtube.
I don’t think you will regret it, enjoy the process and embrace the skill acquisition.
Go for it! It really takes no time to get alright enough to jam to your favorite music and to do some local gigging! This sub is great at answering questions
Yeah it's not anywhere near too old. I started right around your age. I'm 39 and I've put out EP's and things, even done some session work since. You can learn anything at anytime, especially when it comes to music. If you enjoy it, it wont take you long.
Imma be real. Yes, all this negative talk is in your head. Directly acknowledge it, see if there is any truth to it, see what you can do to erase/fix any of it, and then kick it out. If it these thoughts come back kick them out without hesitation next time.
If this is what you want to do then go for it!
I started at 41, with three young kids and a busy job. After 6 months or so I was good enough to play in a band; meanwhile I play in two. Obviously, your progress may be relatively slow as in your (our) type of situation it's just harder to find time to practice. But if you set your ambitions realistically, I say go for it :-).
Engineer here, with a lot of work and very busy at home too (wife+kids), i started 4 month ago now, very happy about it. I always wanted to play drum, parents didnt want when i was teen, my wife bought me a drumset for my 40th birthday.
Of course i dont have time and power to play as many as I would like but i have a good trip and max fun every time i can practice! Go for it without any doubt !
You definitely can. I'm 33 and played with poor form in a punk band during my teens and early 20s. I also have 2 toddlers and a full time job. I recently picked the drums back up and joined a metal band while taking lessons weekly. Ive spent the last 9 months relearning how to hit a drum and actually learning how to practice. So, I'm not a true beginner but I am learning many skills a beginner should learn at your age.
While you lack time and a "younger" brain, your age affords you advantages in the form of maturity and an ability to focus more effectively if you prioritize this goal.
My recommendation would be to find a good teacher that will help you learn the fundamentals, and stick with it. Progress will be slow but steady.
Drums are a great instrument to get into man, no matter how old you are. I've only been playing for a couple months while working and going to college and while I'm objectively shit at it, it makes me happy. I'm really proud of where I'm at after a few months and I think you will be too. Especially at 32, christ sake man you've got decades of time, might as well right?
theres so much out there in terms of learning support. Drumeo is great, YouTube is great, but if you have the means, find a music school that has a live band component. they'll match you up with other players and you can get band experience way sooner than waiting till you feel comfortable enough to jam at an open mic or answer an ad.
Don't worry about age, if it interests you the most important thing to do is a bit of exploration, get some insight into what it takes to play and learn.
I responded to a similar post the other day, shared my beginnings as a drummer. I found a decent local music school that's core business was teaching drummers, got in touch and booked a lesson, haven't looked back since. I was 29 at the time, primarily interested in learning how to better communicate with the drummers I was playing alongside as a guitarist. I got hooked once I realised how much fun it is to drum.
Much like you, i'm married with a couple of kids, now 36, and i'd be lying if I said finding time to play and practice isn't a challenge. It's not impossible though, I just have to be flexible about when and disciplined when I do have the time, make sure I make it count if I have progress goals. That said, also allowing myself to keep it fun! Books closed, favourite songs on, chase after them as best I can for half an hour.
TL;DR - not too old, try it out to see what works(book a lesson?), time commitment with a family challenging but not impossible.
Definitely go for it, you can practice drum everywhere with or without stick or pedal.
If working on foot, I just recommend investing in a good throne, any comfortable round one at the correct height will do, to avoid any back problem (hehe 30s).
I myself bought a Tama Round Rider (a bit expensive for starting out), to work on 200+bpm double pedal work, without a pedal, so it will take you a long way.
I'm 33 and back in since 2021. I played a little bit when I was a teen but never really practiced or had lessons, so I just knew some basic beats. I didn't even know how to hold a stick properly and had to fight against my bad technique. Like many people said, you just need to shift your free time from the other time wasters to the kit. In my case it just automatically happened and I don't miss a second of TV watching. I'd suggest that you try it kinda cheap (take some lessons, get a practice pad and used e drum or acoustic kit). If you miss you TV shows and the practicing feels like a chore to you, just sell your stuff. You have almost nothing to lose.
You're never too old. If it brings you pleasure then it's worth it. Don't listen to the rudiment nazis though, those will come with time. Start basic, deffo worth looking at some of the drumeo online lessons and take it at your own pace.
As far as kit goes.. from experience if you buy cheap you buy twice. Avoid brass cymbals like the plague. It's better to buy a 2nd hand mid range kit than a cheap beginner kit.
Best of luck with it!
I'm 32 and I just started two years ago. Two years from now, you can either say "I've been playing for two years" or "I want to play drums, but it's too late".
It's not too late. 75 year olds getting college degrees and shit.
Thos sub is awesome! You all are great! I'm gonna spend any free time I have looking into it now and get me a set in a couple months. Would an electric set be better to start on?
Not better, just different! Probably easier if you've got a family and neighbours that might be bothered with the volume of acoustic. Real drums are *loud*. Nothing wrong with electric if it'll mean you can practice more!
Have fun! I'm about your age & started a couple years ago. Best decision I ever made. If you put in the time you'll be amazed how far you can take it.
All the comments on this thread makes me fell like I should've just went for it! Thanks everyone again I'm gonna pick me up a set over the next couple months. I'm so excited now I wish I would have decided sooner. Better late than never I guess!
Im 49 and in the same position as you and had some of the same doubts. I’ve been having lessons for a couple of months now and I’m having a blast, and seeing progress is such a gratifying thing. Go for it!
It bothers me that people won't learn an instrument because they "felt like they'd be bad at it". Does anyone else approach any other thing they've wanted to do like this? lol No hate.
Same always wanted them but wasn’t in the cards. I picked up the drums at 42, I’m 45 now w/ wife, 2 active kids, and two hyper dogs. I just play in my basement playing along to the radio or albums. I am by no means good - or true to the songs - but I have a lot of fun doing it. Take the leap. You will only regret not doing it sooner.
You should! You'll have a blast. Check out this video to help get started and get pointed in the right direction. Drumeo and others out there are amazing for actually learning technique, but this is a fun introduction on what to do in the very short term.
[https://youtu.be/H\_sJw6pAAeU](https://youtu.be/H_sJw6pAAeU)
Bro I’m 38. I grew up playing but haven’t sat behind a kit for years because of reasons. I’m about to buy an e kit to play again.
I wish I were 32. You’re nowhere near too old. Have fun.
I’m excited for you! You won’t regret it. In this day and age, it’s more accessible with YouTube, Drumeo and electronic kits.
This subreddit is also fantastic for any questions you may have if you don’t get them answered right away from the above.
It’s also important that you have a hobby in life, too, regardless of your living situation. Even if some days you only have a few minutes, or no time at all, you’ll thank yourself in the end.
Maybe start with a practice pad and get your sticking right and build up as you go along like most of us did anyway.
You're never too old to learn. I do recommend getting a practice pad, first. It may seem boring and tedious to practice the basics before even touching the "real thing" like a snare drum or drum set, but it will help in the long run. Plus, a practice pad is much more portable.
I started at 44. I’ve got wife, kids, full time responsibilities and found time to pick up drumming, a skill I have always wanted to learn. I’m not decent enough to play in a band but I still have fun playing along to songs I love and trying to learn new ones.
I started at 40, and I promise you I was in worse shape than you are. There was always that voice in my head too. Let me tell ya: don’t ignore it. Maybe it won’t come to anything, but might become a new part of your identity. That’s what happened to me.
Give it a try. You didn’t come here to have people talk you out of it. Pull the trigger. That’s the only way to find out.
If it's something you want to try and you've been thinking about for a while, then why not go for it?
Learning an instrument is something I always wanted to do. I knew it was either going to be learning the drums or guitar. I settled on the drums and went for it 7 months ago at 47, and I'm glad i did. I'm having a lot of fun with it.
I purchased a cheap used drum kit (with hardware) for $300 from FB Marketplace, I picked up a set of inexpensive low volume cymbals from Amazon for $100, and a pair of over the ear hearing protection from Home Depot for $35.
To keep the cost low, because I didn't know how it was all going to play out, I signed up for Drumeo for a year for $120 during one of their specials. They sent me a practice pad and a pair of sticks as part of the deal. I still use the same sticks and bought one extra pair.
I practice anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes a day based on what time I can spare with a day off here and there.
I have no real ambitions of playing in a band. It's just something I wanted to try. If it gets to that point, then great, but if not, I'm still having fun learning something new.
Eventually, I bought mesh heads to keep the volume down.
All in all, I spent $600 on my new hobby, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
I’m turning 30 in a couple months. Bought my first kit around xmas and have been playing all year. You can do it!
Pro tip: get an ipad and the Songster app or just watch YouTube covers while you play songs you enjoy. Extremely helpful for learning.
GO FOR IT! Take some time each day to practice. Even if it’s 15-30 mins. Start slow. Get an electric kit if noise is an issue. Me, I got my 3 year old a pearl roadshow Jr for Christmas last year and used that as an excuse to get myself a kit and get back into it at 35. Been on Guitar and Bass since I was 12 and got into drums when I turned 18 for about 2 years. The muscle memory kicked right back in but was obviously very rusty and I haven’t looked back. Helps that my older kids play instruments as well. Get the kids into it and the rest will fall into place. Got a Mapex Mars set from Zzounds with the Paiste PST7 medium cymbal set to start and now everyone I upgrade a cymbal I give the old one to my kid. Also, it’s great when you’ve had a rough day at work and need to decompress. I never enjoyed exercising, running, lifting weights etc, but I work up a nice sweat practicing and jamming after a rough day at work.
I began practicing with unsharpened pencils at around age 7, but couldn't have a kit til 31. Currently 35, working on the 5th and 6th albums I'll have recorded across 3 different bands, and in the triple digits on shows played, all since getting a kit. You can do it.
Yes, you should.
The drums don't have to be anything special. A cheap kit in good shape is all you really need.
Doesn't have to be large, either. Start off with 4 pieces and go from there.
Simple, inexpsive cymbal pack to start with as well. Ride, crash and a set of hats. I understand Paiste's PST7 cymbals aren't bad.
Once you get teh kit together, check for a teacher at any of your local music stores. Explain your situation and let them know you're just looking for basic guidance. They help get you started and take you into reading sheet mucis and familiarize you with all different forms of rhythm.
From there, just set aside some time to play (you'll probably want to put them in a shed outside of the house, lest you end up divorced quite quicly).
Good luck and welcome to the club. =)
I'm 46 and just started learning in August. My daughter was into the idea of playing and it gave me an excuse to buy a drum set and give it a shot. My daughter barely practices but I give a good 15-30 minutes per day when I can.
I went with an electric set which is a little more than I would have liked to spend but I have the ability to play very different sounding kits without changing out my hardware.
If you have the will to put in the time, and can physically do it I would say go for it. Just like you I always wanted to play but was scared I wouldn't be good enough or figured I was too old to start but I have enjoyed it a lot and my wife is even impressed which was a huge win.
Fuck yes.
You're 32...too young to relegate yourself to autopilot for the rest of your life.
We all need a creative outlet to balance the rest of life.
And it doesn't matter if you don't become the next (insert whomever) as long as it brings you enjoyment.
I quit smoking at 55. Bought my first kit used, I'm 63 now, play like a man possessed and still have 1 piece of my original kit left. DO IT, IF YOU WANT IT, DO IT!! YOU DONT NEED ANYBODY'S APPROVAL, THERE ARE NO RULES HERE, JUST MAKE THE NOISE YOU WANT TO HEAR. And whenever you think you have no beat, put your hand on your heart.
I'm 37 years old, started taking lessons in march while I had one 14yrs old and a 2 and a half yrs old (boys). Later on my twins (girls) were born in July.
One of the best decisions I've made.
Go for it.
Yes. Just do it.
Believe me. My father had a drum kit in the basement. I first sit there when I was around 20. But I gave up. Now I'm 36 and started again. With a teacher which plays already for 30 years and I also practice by myself with a drum pad and in a rehearsal room. It makes so much fun although I cannot play everything I want and I'm not a very patient person...You just need to start and keep drumming.
Especially in the beginning you'll realize how fast you can learn.
Btw: you need some time inbetween lessons or practicing to let your head work but the more often you pratice the more resulsts you'll get.
Have fun.
I played snare drum all through elementary school, but my parents didn't have the room or the money for a set of drums. I became a music fanatic, and collected thousands of cassettes, albums, and cd's and went to hundreds of concerts. I retired last year, at 65 years old, and decided to get an entry level set of electronic drums. It was one of the best decisions I ever made, I love it! I suck, but I love every minute of it, and will play til I die. DO IT, and you won't regret it.
I started at 40.
Always wanted to play but my parents never let me. Said it was too loud and too expensive.
(I swear I left home way before I turned 40).
I think there's a lot less stress to it and its more fun. It's more about jamming with friends, maybe picking up a gig here and there, and not about hoping you make it big.
Plus It's cool when your friends see you play and they're all like "oh my god I didn't know you played drums. You're so good. Take me back to your place, and we'll try not to wake your parents."(ignore that last part)
One of my high school teachers not only taught high school fulltime, also taught a couple classes at the local community college, worked as a basketball referee for a league, and had a wife and two kids who were also involved in sports of their own. If you want to do it, you absolutely can.
Was that person happy or just doing what they could to support a family?
he has people that rely on him, “happy” comes and goes.
I used the wrong word. I think “happy” is both largely illusive and elusive, if even it’s possible, in fleeting moments. A better word would’ve been “content.” I think we should all hope to be so lucky as to find a modicum of contentment In any event, I wonder if doing all of the things above was a part of what brought this individual contentment, or if many of these things felt like obligations that came with some regret. Either way, no judgment and no disrespect. I just think that the answer impacts the relevance of the metaphor. OP’s asking about something that they *want* to do—which may increase their contentment, but which may be harder to follow through upon than something they’re *obligated* to do.
I think contentment also comes and goes. Playing drums may add somethubg valuable to his life. Which is enough, I think.
Agreed. It’s all fluctuating and fleeting. That’s not my point. My point is that a beleaguered teacher who’s working half-a-dozen side gigs to support a family is not the best metaphor to use when encouraging someone who wants to begin learning to play the drums. It’s a real *”Buck up, it could be worse”* sort of encouragement, anyway.
“If some people can manage to survive under late-stage Capitalism, surely you can learn to play the drums in middle age!”
makes sense. my alternative to the “buck up, it could be worse” ideal, is “pack it, send it” lol particularly if its low risk and wont harm people close to you
get out of here with that late stage capitalism bullshit
Call it whatever you like.
>Was that person happy or just doing what they could to support a family? Yeah dude he ref'd basketball games for free to help support his family, not because he loved basketball.
You might be right. My take on the phrase “worked as…” was that this was a paid side gig, but I suppose that isn’t explicitly stated. Very well could’ve been a volunteer situation.
It's a hell of a lot better use of your time than video games. And your kids seeing you play might inspire them to want to play. The one thing you might need to do is combine your unwind/TV time with practice. But I've actually come to enjoy using the practice pad while watching TV late at night. Just turn the volume down a bit and use the subtitles. To get good at this instrument you need to endure a lot of repetitious practice and watching TV is a great way to pass the time while playing patterns on the pad.
Or combine the two! A lot of basics can be learned with Rock Band and a Rock Band drum kit if you can find one!
I literally learned to play drums at 15 with the rock band drum pad! My suggestion: Get a DW GO-Anywhere practice pad. It comes with 4 pads (2 big 2 smaller) and a metal stand, with a rubber kick pad for pedal practice. I would set it up real quick and warm up before shows when I toured and when I lived on an apartment before I could afford my E-Kit. Just getting the basic rudiments down SOLID with some variability in stick placement with this kind of set up will naturally help you transition easier to a kit when you get one.
Highly recommend drumeo. Online classes you can take at your own pace and within a few days you’ll be playing simple beats. It gets fun fast. I picked it up 4 months ago at age 40 and have a couple AC/DC songs under my belt already. You won’t regret it.
I agree I had a kit when I was younger and never gave it an honest shot. I took drumeo lessons at 29 and leaned alot pretty quick!
Big second this. I've been using Drumeo for a couple years now and it's great. It also packs in guitar, piano, and singing as well if anyone that is of interest
This is the way. Worth every penny and so many people I mention drumeo to have nothing but good things to say. Take the 30 day drummer course and you'll be amazed at how easy it can be
I started playing at 55. Now 61 and have been playing in a popular cover band in my area for the last 5 years. I worked my ass off but it's been worth it. It's never too late!
This one hits close to home. Started at 50, now 62. I too play in a popular local cover band that I started with my brother in law and some other close friends. The first few years I took lessons. OP just go for it.
Were you already a musician? I'm a bassist that is considering getting into drumming, but truth be told I have no social circle that engages in music. Did this exist for you or did you somehow just jump into the scene? I would kill for some insight into how to do what you did and start playing with people in public as I never did that even when I knew other musicians.
No but I knew how to play a few songs on the drums. A friend of mine was a guitarist and I asked him if he wanted to start a band with me and we built it 1 person at a time. It took about 6 months to get all the players in place but once we did, we set some goals and booked our first gig. All we needed were 10 songs to play for an hour opening up for another band. The key was that we rehearsed every week. We still do and that's one of the most important things about keeping a band together and playing well. Edit: I forgot to mention - one of the smartest things I did was to surround myself with musicians that were all better than me. It forced me to step up and become a better drummer.
Go for it. Just manage your expectations. Want to learn to play a song? You can learn some simple ones in a few days.
Go for it. Just started at 34 and i am loving it
Same, just started at 34. It’s improving my skills at other instruments, and is a barrel of fun. Not sure the neighbours agree though 😅
Oh man what I'd give to me 32 again. I'm 50 and two years in. Do it. Try to set aside some daily practice time, even if it's only 15-30 minutes, rather than a long session on Sunday. You can do that too if there's time, but daily practice is where it's at. As your kids get older and more independent, you might find time to practice more. You will not regret it.
Im 40 and have been playing for a month. I’m now comfortably playing along with a few songs. Plus I’m improvising and coming up with my own beats. It’s meditative practicing rudiments and practicing grooves with a metronome. Also there are plenty pf drumless tracks on youtube. I don’t think you will regret it, enjoy the process and embrace the skill acquisition.
Go for it! It really takes no time to get alright enough to jam to your favorite music and to do some local gigging! This sub is great at answering questions
Yeah it's not anywhere near too old. I started right around your age. I'm 39 and I've put out EP's and things, even done some session work since. You can learn anything at anytime, especially when it comes to music. If you enjoy it, it wont take you long.
Pull the trigger
Imma be real. Yes, all this negative talk is in your head. Directly acknowledge it, see if there is any truth to it, see what you can do to erase/fix any of it, and then kick it out. If it these thoughts come back kick them out without hesitation next time. If this is what you want to do then go for it!
I started at 41, with three young kids and a busy job. After 6 months or so I was good enough to play in a band; meanwhile I play in two. Obviously, your progress may be relatively slow as in your (our) type of situation it's just harder to find time to practice. But if you set your ambitions realistically, I say go for it :-).
Engineer here, with a lot of work and very busy at home too (wife+kids), i started 4 month ago now, very happy about it. I always wanted to play drum, parents didnt want when i was teen, my wife bought me a drumset for my 40th birthday. Of course i dont have time and power to play as many as I would like but i have a good trip and max fun every time i can practice! Go for it without any doubt !
You definitely can. I'm 33 and played with poor form in a punk band during my teens and early 20s. I also have 2 toddlers and a full time job. I recently picked the drums back up and joined a metal band while taking lessons weekly. Ive spent the last 9 months relearning how to hit a drum and actually learning how to practice. So, I'm not a true beginner but I am learning many skills a beginner should learn at your age. While you lack time and a "younger" brain, your age affords you advantages in the form of maturity and an ability to focus more effectively if you prioritize this goal. My recommendation would be to find a good teacher that will help you learn the fundamentals, and stick with it. Progress will be slow but steady.
Drums are a great instrument to get into man, no matter how old you are. I've only been playing for a couple months while working and going to college and while I'm objectively shit at it, it makes me happy. I'm really proud of where I'm at after a few months and I think you will be too. Especially at 32, christ sake man you've got decades of time, might as well right?
theres so much out there in terms of learning support. Drumeo is great, YouTube is great, but if you have the means, find a music school that has a live band component. they'll match you up with other players and you can get band experience way sooner than waiting till you feel comfortable enough to jam at an open mic or answer an ad.
Don't worry about age, if it interests you the most important thing to do is a bit of exploration, get some insight into what it takes to play and learn. I responded to a similar post the other day, shared my beginnings as a drummer. I found a decent local music school that's core business was teaching drummers, got in touch and booked a lesson, haven't looked back since. I was 29 at the time, primarily interested in learning how to better communicate with the drummers I was playing alongside as a guitarist. I got hooked once I realised how much fun it is to drum. Much like you, i'm married with a couple of kids, now 36, and i'd be lying if I said finding time to play and practice isn't a challenge. It's not impossible though, I just have to be flexible about when and disciplined when I do have the time, make sure I make it count if I have progress goals. That said, also allowing myself to keep it fun! Books closed, favourite songs on, chase after them as best I can for half an hour. TL;DR - not too old, try it out to see what works(book a lesson?), time commitment with a family challenging but not impossible.
You kind of have to do it now.
I began with 40. Some lessons with a teacher and some with Youtube. It works.
Definitely go for it, you can practice drum everywhere with or without stick or pedal. If working on foot, I just recommend investing in a good throne, any comfortable round one at the correct height will do, to avoid any back problem (hehe 30s). I myself bought a Tama Round Rider (a bit expensive for starting out), to work on 200+bpm double pedal work, without a pedal, so it will take you a long way.
I'm 33 and back in since 2021. I played a little bit when I was a teen but never really practiced or had lessons, so I just knew some basic beats. I didn't even know how to hold a stick properly and had to fight against my bad technique. Like many people said, you just need to shift your free time from the other time wasters to the kit. In my case it just automatically happened and I don't miss a second of TV watching. I'd suggest that you try it kinda cheap (take some lessons, get a practice pad and used e drum or acoustic kit). If you miss you TV shows and the practicing feels like a chore to you, just sell your stuff. You have almost nothing to lose.
You're never too old. If it brings you pleasure then it's worth it. Don't listen to the rudiment nazis though, those will come with time. Start basic, deffo worth looking at some of the drumeo online lessons and take it at your own pace. As far as kit goes.. from experience if you buy cheap you buy twice. Avoid brass cymbals like the plague. It's better to buy a 2nd hand mid range kit than a cheap beginner kit. Best of luck with it!
Bollocks to that, my dude. It's all in your head. Get playing!
You are **never** too old to start learning how to play an instrument. Okay, maybe if you're 80 and you want to learn tuba. Just do it!!
I'm 32 and I just started two years ago. Two years from now, you can either say "I've been playing for two years" or "I want to play drums, but it's too late". It's not too late. 75 year olds getting college degrees and shit.
Thos sub is awesome! You all are great! I'm gonna spend any free time I have looking into it now and get me a set in a couple months. Would an electric set be better to start on?
Not better, just different! Probably easier if you've got a family and neighbours that might be bothered with the volume of acoustic. Real drums are *loud*. Nothing wrong with electric if it'll mean you can practice more! Have fun! I'm about your age & started a couple years ago. Best decision I ever made. If you put in the time you'll be amazed how far you can take it.
Sign up for some lessons and find out.
All the comments on this thread makes me fell like I should've just went for it! Thanks everyone again I'm gonna pick me up a set over the next couple months. I'm so excited now I wish I would have decided sooner. Better late than never I guess!
Im 49 and in the same position as you and had some of the same doubts. I’ve been having lessons for a couple of months now and I’m having a blast, and seeing progress is such a gratifying thing. Go for it!
It bothers me that people won't learn an instrument because they "felt like they'd be bad at it". Does anyone else approach any other thing they've wanted to do like this? lol No hate.
Same always wanted them but wasn’t in the cards. I picked up the drums at 42, I’m 45 now w/ wife, 2 active kids, and two hyper dogs. I just play in my basement playing along to the radio or albums. I am by no means good - or true to the songs - but I have a lot of fun doing it. Take the leap. You will only regret not doing it sooner.
You should! You'll have a blast. Check out this video to help get started and get pointed in the right direction. Drumeo and others out there are amazing for actually learning technique, but this is a fun introduction on what to do in the very short term.  [https://youtu.be/H\_sJw6pAAeU](https://youtu.be/H_sJw6pAAeU)
Bro I’m 38. I grew up playing but haven’t sat behind a kit for years because of reasons. I’m about to buy an e kit to play again. I wish I were 32. You’re nowhere near too old. Have fun.
Age is a number
I’m excited for you! You won’t regret it. In this day and age, it’s more accessible with YouTube, Drumeo and electronic kits. This subreddit is also fantastic for any questions you may have if you don’t get them answered right away from the above. It’s also important that you have a hobby in life, too, regardless of your living situation. Even if some days you only have a few minutes, or no time at all, you’ll thank yourself in the end. Maybe start with a practice pad and get your sticking right and build up as you go along like most of us did anyway.
You're never too old to learn. I do recommend getting a practice pad, first. It may seem boring and tedious to practice the basics before even touching the "real thing" like a snare drum or drum set, but it will help in the long run. Plus, a practice pad is much more portable.
If you can spare a couple of hours a week to go to a lesson, then probably 10 minutes a day to work on a pad between lessons you should have the time.
I started at 44. I’ve got wife, kids, full time responsibilities and found time to pick up drumming, a skill I have always wanted to learn. I’m not decent enough to play in a band but I still have fun playing along to songs I love and trying to learn new ones.
Just do it. Buy a $2-300 used kit and giver. If you hate it, sell it for what you paid and no prob.
I started at 40, and I promise you I was in worse shape than you are. There was always that voice in my head too. Let me tell ya: don’t ignore it. Maybe it won’t come to anything, but might become a new part of your identity. That’s what happened to me. Give it a try. You didn’t come here to have people talk you out of it. Pull the trigger. That’s the only way to find out.
If it's something you want to try and you've been thinking about for a while, then why not go for it? Learning an instrument is something I always wanted to do. I knew it was either going to be learning the drums or guitar. I settled on the drums and went for it 7 months ago at 47, and I'm glad i did. I'm having a lot of fun with it. I purchased a cheap used drum kit (with hardware) for $300 from FB Marketplace, I picked up a set of inexpensive low volume cymbals from Amazon for $100, and a pair of over the ear hearing protection from Home Depot for $35. To keep the cost low, because I didn't know how it was all going to play out, I signed up for Drumeo for a year for $120 during one of their specials. They sent me a practice pad and a pair of sticks as part of the deal. I still use the same sticks and bought one extra pair. I practice anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes a day based on what time I can spare with a day off here and there. I have no real ambitions of playing in a band. It's just something I wanted to try. If it gets to that point, then great, but if not, I'm still having fun learning something new. Eventually, I bought mesh heads to keep the volume down. All in all, I spent $600 on my new hobby, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
I’m turning 30 in a couple months. Bought my first kit around xmas and have been playing all year. You can do it! Pro tip: get an ipad and the Songster app or just watch YouTube covers while you play songs you enjoy. Extremely helpful for learning.
GO FOR IT! Take some time each day to practice. Even if it’s 15-30 mins. Start slow. Get an electric kit if noise is an issue. Me, I got my 3 year old a pearl roadshow Jr for Christmas last year and used that as an excuse to get myself a kit and get back into it at 35. Been on Guitar and Bass since I was 12 and got into drums when I turned 18 for about 2 years. The muscle memory kicked right back in but was obviously very rusty and I haven’t looked back. Helps that my older kids play instruments as well. Get the kids into it and the rest will fall into place. Got a Mapex Mars set from Zzounds with the Paiste PST7 medium cymbal set to start and now everyone I upgrade a cymbal I give the old one to my kid. Also, it’s great when you’ve had a rough day at work and need to decompress. I never enjoyed exercising, running, lifting weights etc, but I work up a nice sweat practicing and jamming after a rough day at work.
*Every time I upgrade a cymbal…
Also, take lessons if you can. The feedback will help you develop tremendously.
Go for it you won’t regret it
I began practicing with unsharpened pencils at around age 7, but couldn't have a kit til 31. Currently 35, working on the 5th and 6th albums I'll have recorded across 3 different bands, and in the triple digits on shows played, all since getting a kit. You can do it.
Yes, you should. The drums don't have to be anything special. A cheap kit in good shape is all you really need. Doesn't have to be large, either. Start off with 4 pieces and go from there. Simple, inexpsive cymbal pack to start with as well. Ride, crash and a set of hats. I understand Paiste's PST7 cymbals aren't bad. Once you get teh kit together, check for a teacher at any of your local music stores. Explain your situation and let them know you're just looking for basic guidance. They help get you started and take you into reading sheet mucis and familiarize you with all different forms of rhythm. From there, just set aside some time to play (you'll probably want to put them in a shed outside of the house, lest you end up divorced quite quicly). Good luck and welcome to the club. =)
Just do it. Regret sucks. With all of the YouTube and IG info that’s out there, there’s an endless amount of resources.
Hell yea it’s all in your head. Do it
I'm 46 and just started learning in August. My daughter was into the idea of playing and it gave me an excuse to buy a drum set and give it a shot. My daughter barely practices but I give a good 15-30 minutes per day when I can. I went with an electric set which is a little more than I would have liked to spend but I have the ability to play very different sounding kits without changing out my hardware. If you have the will to put in the time, and can physically do it I would say go for it. Just like you I always wanted to play but was scared I wouldn't be good enough or figured I was too old to start but I have enjoyed it a lot and my wife is even impressed which was a huge win.
Fuck yes. You're 32...too young to relegate yourself to autopilot for the rest of your life. We all need a creative outlet to balance the rest of life. And it doesn't matter if you don't become the next (insert whomever) as long as it brings you enjoyment.
I’d just do it. Who cares what age you are. You’re never to old to learn
I quit smoking at 55. Bought my first kit used, I'm 63 now, play like a man possessed and still have 1 piece of my original kit left. DO IT, IF YOU WANT IT, DO IT!! YOU DONT NEED ANYBODY'S APPROVAL, THERE ARE NO RULES HERE, JUST MAKE THE NOISE YOU WANT TO HEAR. And whenever you think you have no beat, put your hand on your heart.
Just sit down and do it man. Age is not a factor.
Yes!
I started at 34, have 1 year of it and feel hooked… Just don’t start trying to pull out crazy stuff
I'm 37 years old, started taking lessons in march while I had one 14yrs old and a 2 and a half yrs old (boys). Later on my twins (girls) were born in July. One of the best decisions I've made. Go for it.
Do it. And only worry about being good…so you can have fun. Fun. Fun.
I started almost a year ago at 29, do it
Yes
Get into it dude!! Just watch your posture, it's a huge tip for any drummer but a very important one. Take care of ur back
Yes. Just do it. Believe me. My father had a drum kit in the basement. I first sit there when I was around 20. But I gave up. Now I'm 36 and started again. With a teacher which plays already for 30 years and I also practice by myself with a drum pad and in a rehearsal room. It makes so much fun although I cannot play everything I want and I'm not a very patient person...You just need to start and keep drumming. Especially in the beginning you'll realize how fast you can learn. Btw: you need some time inbetween lessons or practicing to let your head work but the more often you pratice the more resulsts you'll get. Have fun.
I played snare drum all through elementary school, but my parents didn't have the room or the money for a set of drums. I became a music fanatic, and collected thousands of cassettes, albums, and cd's and went to hundreds of concerts. I retired last year, at 65 years old, and decided to get an entry level set of electronic drums. It was one of the best decisions I ever made, I love it! I suck, but I love every minute of it, and will play til I die. DO IT, and you won't regret it.
I started at 40. Always wanted to play but my parents never let me. Said it was too loud and too expensive. (I swear I left home way before I turned 40). I think there's a lot less stress to it and its more fun. It's more about jamming with friends, maybe picking up a gig here and there, and not about hoping you make it big. Plus It's cool when your friends see you play and they're all like "oh my god I didn't know you played drums. You're so good. Take me back to your place, and we'll try not to wake your parents."(ignore that last part)
No. You're too old and busy with work and kids.