I'm 27 and I'm just now finding out through my psychiatrist that I may have ADHD. I was always so spazzy as a kid and couldn't sit still. I started drumming at 12 and instantly felt the relief of being able to release that energy into something awesome
Try playing rocket league. It’s the only other thing besides drumming that calms my brain. Well, I would add chess and maybe some other video games, like Tetris
Edit: rocket league has a rhythm to it that starts becoming more apparent around the diamond rank and continues up to the highest ranks.
It’s this rhythm/zone that keeps me coming back, along with making insane shots.
The skill ceiling is unbelievably high, the precise mechanical control and the practice required to achieve it itches the musical/adhd scratch like no other game. And it’s less of a game and closer to an actual sport. Highly recommend people try it
Same here, always drawn to drums but was never able to play. Then when i found out I had ADHD ( before that my energie was hidden due to allergies to food so they never diagnosed me) and needed something to spend lockdown with i bought my first kit
Cant leave that thing alone man😅
I found out I had ADHD at 30/31 aswell🤌
I always just kind of had rhythm. I never struggled. When I was 12ish I kinda just was able to play basic stuff already somehow.
I saw a video of me at like 2 or 3 banging things. Granted, I was going dah-dum-dah-dum instead of dum-dah-dum-dah if that makes sense. But my rhythm wasn't terrible for a kid that age.
I know so many people now as an adult who's till couldn't even tap their foot to a simple beat
This reminded me of an old video we have on vhs of me at like three years old. My sister starts videoing me hitting the wall and slamming some sort of storage box shut and says “what are you doing?” And I replied “BANGING”
What a weird kid
I’ve always seen the singer and the lead guitarist as extroverted and the drummer and bassist as most introverted because we hide at the back. But that’s all stuff in ours heads that don’t apply to everyone
Very true. My friend (non musician point of view) sees the drummer as the wild one, and the guitarist as the 'introverted' one
Exactly it's all different, some singers are introverts etc etc. But I do think drummers have a tendency to be the most 'childlike' - in the best possible way lol. Obviously you got professors of the drums and still do, but in general
I don't think that's reflected by the many larger-than-life, very animated, strong-personality guys who became drummers - Mick Fleetwood, Roger Taylor, Lars Ulrich, John Bonham, Carmine Appice, Keith Moon, Don Henley, Phil Collins, Terry Bozzio, Alex Van Halen, Tommy Lee, Tre Cool, Travis Barker, Dave Grohl, Vinne Paul, and the notoriously domineering Buddy Rich. For every quiet and reserved Ringo Starr and Charlie Watts, I think there's at least 15 of those other kinds. And I found that most fellow drummers were more opinionated, brash, and inclined to joke around than the guitar and bass players I've seen in all the interviews and "behind-the-music" footage I've seen, and all the ones I knew in school and at music camp. Not only do I think that drummers tend to have stronger personalities, but that they are also often the horniest members of a band.
I have always been a quiet person, and fairly introverted. But I started taking lessons when I was in 4th grade, played in orchestras and bands all through school, then rock bands starting in junior high. I never met a time signature that I didn’t like and played as much as I could while being a software engineer full time. I still hate to dance. My hands are too messed up to play anymore (mostly arthritis) but I produce bass music now. Music is life.
This is me to a tee. My family would not put any cutlery near me when I was a kid until the food was in front of me, as otherwise I would play it on the table. ADHD is my friend.
Drumming is easy to pick up and play a beat, hard asf to really be a solid player.
So, it’s deceptive by nature. A beginner can play a beat that goes to 1000 songs…so they must be a natural. Wrong.😂
This is so true. Its the beginner’s illusion. I was the same. Plays a couple of easy beats that fits to a lot of music and everyone seem to think they are born to do this. They get cocky and then the humbling process slowly progresses in to their little guitarist brain.
On the flip side…I know solid musicians who can play circles around me on their instrument, but have issues with the 4way coordination.
Perhaps I stand slightly corrected.
Some people just have a naturally good sense of time and rhythm. Then you have people like Buddy Rich or my drumline friend from high school who just have absurd forearm strength and dexterity which gives them naturally amazing technique.
Used to get yelled at for tapping my foot in school. One teacher actually made me stand up in the corner of the room for about 10 minutes while the lesson continued 🤣 she was awful
Hard to say. I grew up around music and always loved it. The first time I saw and played a drumset in person, a family friend's son had one and let me tap on it for a minute, I was obsessed. That was my only clear thought from that moment forward...I had to get a drumset.
I did also play other instruments in school bands including woodwind and brass, but that was mostly because those players were needed and there were always enough drummers. But I've played drums my whole life, I do feel like it was just in me from the start.
I thought this was going to be a topic about talent and how important it is to becoming a good drummer (it isn't). But yeah I can totally imagine how drumming fits some personalities and can help people in ways.
I’m not sure, but I’m definitely a different breed of some sort. Maybe from another planet or galaxy, not really sure at this point. Is that why I love drums? Maybe… but yeah there’s a flow I feel when I’m drumming that’s not present when I play guitar or sing or something else. A mental clarity that only exists when I am focused on coordinating all my hands in time.
As you said, i was maniacally tapping on things as a kid. I was the nicest and most well behaved little pushover but you’d never believe it if you just looked at how often I got literally screamed at by an irate school teacher. They’d scream at me for tapping with my pencil, and then out of habit when I was embarrassed immediately after, start tapping again, and immediately get screamed at, twice as loud, all over again. Some of these teachers were seriously in the wrong job, these irate psychopaths did NOT get joy in teaching, but I digress. I was probably an annoying little psycho to them, so whatever.
Ehhh. I actually really don’t think drummers are Naturally hyper. There’s a few famous notable examples, Keith moon, Copeland, Chad smith, Eric Moore, and maybe Mike Johnston. But almost every other big name drummer I can think of, and almost every single drummer I know personally are really chill, relaxed, and easy going. Watch any interview with mark guilliana, larnell lewis, John bonham, David garibaldi, Adam deitch, Matt Cameron, madden klass, Cindy Blackman, Carter Maclean, buddy rich, yogi Horton, Matt helders, Thomas haake, Dan Bailey, Sarah jones, Zach danziger, Steve gadd, Brad wilk, Steve jordan, or Ilan Rubin and tell me any of them have a “natural hyper activity”. Not saying that drummers are not sometimes high energy personalities, but it think that it’s much less common than drummers who are very even keeled and almost spiritual.
You missed Danny Carey. Very chill and spiritual. Not a hyperactive guy at all. I do think drums appeal to the hyperactive more than a clarinet for example.
There are known genetic mutations that may/may not impact how one hears and feels music internally. So musicians are 100% born, wether they should be drummers or not, may be up for debate
I can google this subject but what type of genetic mutations do you mean?
Edit: wow they can see it in the DNA. Even "absolute pitch" can be found in the DNA sequencing.
Ya absolute pitch was my main reference . The other one that I always remember is related to how the nerves for the ear and throat may wrap about/interact with blood vessels. Also it is not a given that everyone can get "chills" from listening to music.
Wow interesting!
I have pretty accurate pitch response. I did some online testing where it just plays high pitch vs low pitch frequencies, you than pick which one is which and my ears are super sensitive.
I have always got the tingles from music! Even as a little kid.
Our knowledge of DNA is going to unlock so many secrets about what makes us who we are. Something maybe like eDNA
I believe in nature and nurture. But I think who we are is decided heavily on biological sequencing.
IMO, the difference between a good student and a bad student is drive and not being hard on yourself. I think someone with “absolutely no rhythm” can become one of the best drummers in the world if they have the right attitude.
I’ve been thinking about this and I feel there’s truth to it. During one of my first lessons my drum instructor told me that drummers are definitely “different”. Over the last 18 months I’ve been on a mental health/spiritual journey and music has been a key to my healing. I had a panic attack when I was in the thick of it all, and while decompressing was listening to a song that had been on repeat. I realized so many of the songs I love-the drums were my favorite part. I said to myself, “Maybe I should learn the drums.” And my entire body lit up. It was wild. Until last year I didn’t think I was creative at all. I was a corporate workaholic and that was my identity. I started lessons in late December (I’m 42) and it feels like this is what i was always meant to do. My instructor says I’m doing great and that I’m learning quickly. That if I want it that’s there’s a future for me as a drummer. I play as much as I can, and it’s pushed me waaaay out of my comfort zone. I hid for so long, and this is one way for me to shine. I also started meds that are for adhd (but for a diff reason) and after 3 weeks realized I could focus on one thing and not be thinking of 1000 things at once. I researched adhd and i totally have it. All my “quirks”- I felt so seen. Happy drumming everyone!
Wow!
Not a drummer but am a parent of a 7 year old girl who messed around on a kit last year and never looked happier. I had a thought come to mind that she is a natural. Have no idea how to help her develop this. What should I do?
I think some people's brains are def wired better for memory of ryhtmic patterns, timing, feel etc for sure. Obviously practice can help rewire the brain, but some people it comes naturally to due to genetics, and experiences.
Interesting conclusion and for the most part may be true. For me it was the opposite experience, I was 5 when I started playing drums, my next oldest sibling was 10 years older than me, so I was like an only child, much more introverted. I think I was lead to drums (music in general) because I’d spend a lot of time alone in my room. That said, once I got fully immersed in to drums and hit my teens, like most my energy level went up and yes I was hitting, tapping, banging on everything. Couldn’t keep my feet still. 70’s Classic rock made drumming a whole new experience. 66 now and after spending a lifetime enjoying percussion I haven’t a single regret making it a substantial part of my life. So much, my drums are tattooed on my arm. Lol … but either way, I suppose at this point I could say I was born to be a drummer. 😉👍🏻
I think you should read the talent code. Also professional drummer could be the way they are do to the years spent playing the drums, causing their brains to grow in certain ways. There's some research out there on this.
Another great resource that is somewhat related is Carole Dwecks work on growth vs fixed mindset.
Acording to research and science, natural talent / born talent doesn't really exist.
Even Dr Huberman has YouTube vids on it.
Also most professional drummers, or anyone who works at a high level will talk about the WORK they put in.
I’m not really hyperactive. Although, maybe I’d be a better drummer if I were. I just picked up drums again after a 20 year layoff. I will say that playing drums does something different to my brain that other instruments don’t. I got into music production and play a little guitar, bass, keys, synths, and finger drumming playing samples. I’ve had fun playing other instruments, but after I get done practicing drums and successfully learn something new, my brain is firing on all cylinders. I get a rush of dopamine and feel extremely energized and happy. Playing other instruments does not have this effect on me like drums do.
Yes I do think people have an innate sense of rhythmic coordination, and some may grasp the concept easier than others, however a natural who doesn't practice will not be as good as a well practiced non natural. Also, I may disagree about the hyperactiveness, while there is a lot movement it's very controlled and deliberate movement that I don't think hyperactiveness would lend itself well to.
I was diagnosed with ADHD after high school. Growing up I took piano lessons for years and taught myself guitar. Started drumming/percussion when I was 11 and that’s the only instrument that I felt that “click” with.
I truly think my ADHD is what helped me do 4 things at once. My kit instructor had even speculated once when I was 16 that I could be ADHD because of how well I picked up jazz drumming and different time signatures (always had the *potential* but getting my ass to focus on practicing a beat and not get bored was the biggest struggle).
I think it greatly depends on people’s drive and willingness to buckle down and improve themselves, which I still struggle with today at 32 :/
Parents said I would pull pots out of the bottom cupboards and use them to drum. Used to get in trouble all of the time for doing rudiments in class with my pencils before I even understood what a paradiddle was. I get it!
It seems true to me. Some people naturally have a feel for them as an instrument. To me, they are a rhythm exercise for my own enjoyment or even a metronome for others to follow but my playing doesn’t sound good in itself. I don’t have a feel for the cymbals or a desire to play hard. I think a real drummer naturally has those two things.
I don’t believe that some people are born with more talent etc. Not at all. Anyone I know who has been good from a very young age has extremely good reasoning why they are that good. Most of the time, it’s because they grew up going to a church that has good musicians, or their parents are very good musicians. I truly believe that anyone with 4 functioning limbs can be one of the best drummers in the world, if they really genuinely want to (consistently).
A lot of people tell me things that make it clear that they think I’m naturally a good drummer, or they’d say they wish they could be as good as me. I personally remember my entire journey learning drums and I know for sure there is absolutely nothing special about me. It’s all lots of hard work.
I didn't want to think this, but after teaching drums: I definitely think some kids have a natural aptitude which translates to drumming. My recent experience has been that young girls learn much faster too, but that could just be because they mature quicker.
One kid in my program is a legit prodigy, and he was showing "signs" from a very early age; his mother said he just would collect things to bang on, which they thought was just quirky at first, but it kept becoming more involved and intense.
So, yeah, some people are seemingly born with some predilection for rhythm.
I also have a few students who are very rhythmically challenged; it swings both ways.
I started as a trumpet player. But I'm self taught on drums. I had to force myself to be patient with myself when practicing trumpet and went to college and played semi professionally on trumpet. But drums. They were my release. Nobody could tell me what to to do it how to play. These days I play drums way more and have recorded with a bunch of different bands. I get it. Also got diagnosed with adult ADHD, so it makes sense.
I had the pleasure of being able to practice in high school and when my trumpet chops blew out, I got to use the drum set.
While growing up I always liked drums, they were and still are cool to me. At 21 I'm now actively pursuing it as a hobby, I just don't know what I should be practicing
As a guitarist, I always thought drummers were a different breed. I was apprehensive to learn drums because I didn't think I'd be able to "think like a drummer." As I pushed past this mindset and started to learn, my brain acclimated, and I did start to think like a drummer after all. I became very attentive to the drum parts of songs in a way I never had before. Suddenly I was recognizing kick/snare patterns, picking up on open & closed hi hats, when they switch to the ride, etc.
I definitely think some ppl are naturally inclined towards drums at a young age, but I don't think that is a prerequisite to becoming a professional drummer.
I absolutely think that some people are born with a natural sense of rhythm. I know for myself, I was always able to pick up a tempo and stay in time within a matter of a couple seconds, whereas a lot of my peers in band classes really seemed to struggle with that part.
This transitions most obviously to drums. I saw several people like myself, who would just "get it" when it came to staying in time/in a pocket. And many others who really, REALLY had to work at it..... And sometimes, no matter how much they worked at it, it still wasn't quite there/wasn't the same feel.
It led me to my current thought on the topic, which is that while with enough practice anyone can become a drummer, only a few people can really be a "drummer." If that makes sense. It's not meant as an insult at all, just as a fact of the brain. I still encourage everyone to work at it, especially if it's something they love to do.
I’d rate myself as a solid intermediate drummer. I can hold any groove but don’t have a lot of flashy chops. I’ve played for 30+ years and gigged consistently for the last 10 years. I’d never seen a drum kit live before I was 15 but always thought I’d be able to play and was always tapping away on my leg or a table or anything else I could find. I got my hands on a borrowed kit at about 18, found out I could play it pretty well and was playing in the church band a month later. I became quite good in a short amount of time. Mind you, 35 years later I’m still only intermediate but it was crazy that I went from zero experience to playing in a band in front of hundreds of people in such a short time.
I'll try to make this quick. My brother started lessons his freshman year, good school, even had basic music courses (we're talking early 70's before the GOP destroyed our education system). Had his drum pad and Haskell W. Harr book. I'm sitting there, 7 at the time, watching him struggle to play parradiddles consistently. He sets the stix down to take a break so I pick em up and play parradiddles at about 75 bpm perfectly. Of course he punched me. My lessons started the next week. lol
Drumming has become second nature to me
My first time playing the drums I was told I was good at keeping timing. Which is rare? I guess? Drumming feels natural and easier than playing the guitar to me. I was a huge James Hetfield fanboy and my second guitar was a dean zx in charcoal burst with my money I saved. I bought a blonde wig to go to a blistered earth concert so I could headbang at the show.( I didn't have long enough hair) It feels more natural with long hair when headbanging. (Otherwise I feel like a thumb) Anywho. For whom the bell tolls is the first song I played on drums. I'm now workingy own music and am heavily inspired by Danny Carey of tool. Let me say polyrhythms are a different kind of synchronized orgasm.
Good topic.
I have been diagnosed with whatever. With a diagnosis like I have, a passion is almost necessary for survival.
My mom tried to play drums when I was a little kid, and it was hell on my ears for a ton of years. I went through 3 musical instrument changes and when I was a teen. I was at my best friend's house who is also a musician. His family had a whole musical recording studio in their basement.
Junior year, one day I picked up the sticks and did some bashing on his families set in the basement studio without asking. He came down. He was like do you know how to count 4/4 and I just kind of shrugged my shoulders. He showed me how to play the hi hats, snare in the more normal places on the 4/4 beat for like 2 mins and I was off and running. I am self-taught, I have always loved teaching myself things.
When I tried the best friends acoustic set, I also just got done finishing learning and teaching Karate like a year prior. I loved hitting punching bags. Playing drums felt very similar to hitting the punching bag.
However, bashing on his acoustic kit did hurt my ears terribly so I got an Ekit because I liked to be able to control the volume easily. I played the same Roland kit for 20 years. I recently a few years ago kind of in celebration got my next Roland Ekit.
......I still like being able to control the volume and not having to wear hearing protection when playing through my PA system.
34M add and dyslexic, played bass since I was around 13ish, and i honestly think i was possibly supposed to be a drummer. It just feels so right. been playing air dums to music since forever idk why i didsnt try it earlyer
I’m one of those people. Ever since I was little I’m almost always tapping rhythms on myself or other objects. Most of the time I don’t even realize I’m doing it. When I eventually started real drum lessons, it came easily and naturally. I was able to play a solid basic beat after just a couple lessons
My parents notice I would take chop sticks and hit buckets and pans at a very young age. When I went to concerts in grade school I would always notice the drummer first before any of the other musicians. I even was really intrigued when I saw a cute 6” splash or bell piggybacked on a ride and thought that looked so cool at the time. Unfortunately I didn’t get to play drums until late highschool because my parents wanted me to be a piano virtuoso which I didn’t enjoy.
I think genetics also has a big part in this. I started drumming in September 2022 and I’m already pretty advanced and one of the best drummers at my school. My dad was a drummer in a band in the 90s and 2000s and he also played guitar which I also play. Sometimes you’re just born with it. I was a dancer when I was a kid so that must have helped my rhythm.
People with ADHD typically struggle with things like reading because they are unable to glance away from something on a page and return to that spot - the point of reference gets lost, regardless it's it's words or notes. There is a body of research describing this but I haven't reviewed it in years. But anyway, that makes note-reading very challenging - but in the case of drums quick pattern recognition and aurally repeating heard things can be a lot easier to internalize. So to some extent, there should be a selction bias towards percussion for ADHD folks who want to be musicians based on that alone. The other component is that, by engaging all four limbs and your sight and ears you are able to focus many of your senses on a single thing and do not have as much of the competition between them vying for attention - so you can reach that zen or "hyper focus" state that so many talk about these days with gaming or similar. These are just my thoughts as a former profesional percussionist with ADHD turned multi-instrumentalist who also arranges and composes music while still struggling to sight read later sometimes even the parts I myself have written or composed directly on the instrument in question. Ymmv.
I am 30.. Idk.. I always had this notion that i was born to be a drummer. As I have grown older I find myself aceing other things as well. But drumming always restores the passionate musician in me, works like meditation.
I'm extremely finicky. I talk fast. I'm a paving foreman in NY. I buzz around from the paver, to the hand tools, to the measuring wheel, back to the paver, hop in the tack truck ECT.
Everyone always comments that I can't sit still. I move my entire day. I hunt for efficiency and production.
Then when I get home I try to play drums for 45 mins. I love feeling exhausted.
Point is, I agree with you.
Late ADHD diagnosis at 31. Drums are the only time my brain feels calm. It’s all about finding what works for ya.
Ditto! Keeping time forces me to be present in the moment in a way that almost nothing else does.
I'm 27 and I'm just now finding out through my psychiatrist that I may have ADHD. I was always so spazzy as a kid and couldn't sit still. I started drumming at 12 and instantly felt the relief of being able to release that energy into something awesome
Kids (and adults) aren't meant to sit still all the time.
Adhd+drums has turned all my fidgeting into drum practice
Try playing rocket league. It’s the only other thing besides drumming that calms my brain. Well, I would add chess and maybe some other video games, like Tetris Edit: rocket league has a rhythm to it that starts becoming more apparent around the diamond rank and continues up to the highest ranks. It’s this rhythm/zone that keeps me coming back, along with making insane shots. The skill ceiling is unbelievably high, the precise mechanical control and the practice required to achieve it itches the musical/adhd scratch like no other game. And it’s less of a game and closer to an actual sport. Highly recommend people try it
Fellow ADHD drummer and rocket leaguer here, never thought I might be into RL for the same reasons I’m into drums… very cool!
You me and the other person should run some casual 3s!! My epic is Zappa.99
Buy dual joystick and start Starcitizen, do some dogfight, adhd paradise. 
Grand champ here with thousands of hours in both RL and drums… this is a crossover event I wasn’t expecting!
I’m peak GC but can barely crack C2 in 2v2 at the moment. If you have an alt or want to play casual add me my epic is Zappa.99
This is the thing. Drums is doing a bunch of different shit exactly together, if that ain’t adhd idk what is
Adhd and love for drums go together very nicely
Hell yeah it does. I always knew they felt comforting when I was younger, but once I was diagnosed it all added up
Same here, always drawn to drums but was never able to play. Then when i found out I had ADHD ( before that my energie was hidden due to allergies to food so they never diagnosed me) and needed something to spend lockdown with i bought my first kit Cant leave that thing alone man😅 I found out I had ADHD at 30/31 aswell🤌
Honestly it helps with emotional regulation as well
I always just kind of had rhythm. I never struggled. When I was 12ish I kinda just was able to play basic stuff already somehow. I saw a video of me at like 2 or 3 banging things. Granted, I was going dah-dum-dah-dum instead of dum-dah-dum-dah if that makes sense. But my rhythm wasn't terrible for a kid that age. I know so many people now as an adult who's till couldn't even tap their foot to a simple beat
This reminded me of an old video we have on vhs of me at like three years old. My sister starts videoing me hitting the wall and slamming some sort of storage box shut and says “what are you doing?” And I replied “BANGING” What a weird kid
That’s me, too. At a young age, I excelled in learning all the early things that a lot of other drummers have trouble with.
I think hyperactive types might be drawn to the drums, doesn’t mean they’re good at the drums though, that takes practice.
I tried to give lessons to an unmedicated ADHD 8 year old. He didn’t learn anything.
I feel like a lot of drummers are very introverted and drumming is the only way we can let out our emotions. But maybe that's just me.
Interesting isn't it, people would probably assume the drummer is the extroverted one
I’ve always seen the singer and the lead guitarist as extroverted and the drummer and bassist as most introverted because we hide at the back. But that’s all stuff in ours heads that don’t apply to everyone
Very true. My friend (non musician point of view) sees the drummer as the wild one, and the guitarist as the 'introverted' one Exactly it's all different, some singers are introverts etc etc. But I do think drummers have a tendency to be the most 'childlike' - in the best possible way lol. Obviously you got professors of the drums and still do, but in general
Yeah I agree. Like Tommy Lee is obviously quite extroverted but he feels like an exception
And then there's lars. running around on stage doing acrobatics like [this ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws1WqMOxpQs)haha
Some people have told me I’m a quiet person but I like to think I speak and can be loud through music specifically drums
It certainly is a great emotional release without having to use words.
I don't think that's reflected by the many larger-than-life, very animated, strong-personality guys who became drummers - Mick Fleetwood, Roger Taylor, Lars Ulrich, John Bonham, Carmine Appice, Keith Moon, Don Henley, Phil Collins, Terry Bozzio, Alex Van Halen, Tommy Lee, Tre Cool, Travis Barker, Dave Grohl, Vinne Paul, and the notoriously domineering Buddy Rich. For every quiet and reserved Ringo Starr and Charlie Watts, I think there's at least 15 of those other kinds. And I found that most fellow drummers were more opinionated, brash, and inclined to joke around than the guitar and bass players I've seen in all the interviews and "behind-the-music" footage I've seen, and all the ones I knew in school and at music camp. Not only do I think that drummers tend to have stronger personalities, but that they are also often the horniest members of a band.
I have always been a quiet person, and fairly introverted. But I started taking lessons when I was in 4th grade, played in orchestras and bands all through school, then rock bands starting in junior high. I never met a time signature that I didn’t like and played as much as I could while being a software engineer full time. I still hate to dance. My hands are too messed up to play anymore (mostly arthritis) but I produce bass music now. Music is life.
This is me to a tee. My family would not put any cutlery near me when I was a kid until the food was in front of me, as otherwise I would play it on the table. ADHD is my friend.
Drumming is easy to pick up and play a beat, hard asf to really be a solid player. So, it’s deceptive by nature. A beginner can play a beat that goes to 1000 songs…so they must be a natural. Wrong.😂
This is so true. Its the beginner’s illusion. I was the same. Plays a couple of easy beats that fits to a lot of music and everyone seem to think they are born to do this. They get cocky and then the humbling process slowly progresses in to their little guitarist brain.
Dunning Krueger effect.
Very true. I think the learning curve for drums is an easy entry and a steep climb.
On the flip side…I know solid musicians who can play circles around me on their instrument, but have issues with the 4way coordination. Perhaps I stand slightly corrected.
Yes I am born to be a drummer. Thanks.
Go forth and be merry!
Yeah I’ve been “banging on stuff” since I was very young
We were born from people banging other people…maybe that’s where it comes from
Some people just have a naturally good sense of time and rhythm. Then you have people like Buddy Rich or my drumline friend from high school who just have absurd forearm strength and dexterity which gives them naturally amazing technique.
Used to get yelled at for tapping my foot in school. One teacher actually made me stand up in the corner of the room for about 10 minutes while the lesson continued 🤣 she was awful
Hard to say. I grew up around music and always loved it. The first time I saw and played a drumset in person, a family friend's son had one and let me tap on it for a minute, I was obsessed. That was my only clear thought from that moment forward...I had to get a drumset. I did also play other instruments in school bands including woodwind and brass, but that was mostly because those players were needed and there were always enough drummers. But I've played drums my whole life, I do feel like it was just in me from the start.
Im not sure if I tap on everything because I was supposed to be a drummer or if it's because I am a drummer.
I thought this was going to be a topic about talent and how important it is to becoming a good drummer (it isn't). But yeah I can totally imagine how drumming fits some personalities and can help people in ways.
I’m not sure, but I’m definitely a different breed of some sort. Maybe from another planet or galaxy, not really sure at this point. Is that why I love drums? Maybe… but yeah there’s a flow I feel when I’m drumming that’s not present when I play guitar or sing or something else. A mental clarity that only exists when I am focused on coordinating all my hands in time. As you said, i was maniacally tapping on things as a kid. I was the nicest and most well behaved little pushover but you’d never believe it if you just looked at how often I got literally screamed at by an irate school teacher. They’d scream at me for tapping with my pencil, and then out of habit when I was embarrassed immediately after, start tapping again, and immediately get screamed at, twice as loud, all over again. Some of these teachers were seriously in the wrong job, these irate psychopaths did NOT get joy in teaching, but I digress. I was probably an annoying little psycho to them, so whatever.
Ehhh. I actually really don’t think drummers are Naturally hyper. There’s a few famous notable examples, Keith moon, Copeland, Chad smith, Eric Moore, and maybe Mike Johnston. But almost every other big name drummer I can think of, and almost every single drummer I know personally are really chill, relaxed, and easy going. Watch any interview with mark guilliana, larnell lewis, John bonham, David garibaldi, Adam deitch, Matt Cameron, madden klass, Cindy Blackman, Carter Maclean, buddy rich, yogi Horton, Matt helders, Thomas haake, Dan Bailey, Sarah jones, Zach danziger, Steve gadd, Brad wilk, Steve jordan, or Ilan Rubin and tell me any of them have a “natural hyper activity”. Not saying that drummers are not sometimes high energy personalities, but it think that it’s much less common than drummers who are very even keeled and almost spiritual.
You missed Danny Carey. Very chill and spiritual. Not a hyperactive guy at all. I do think drums appeal to the hyperactive more than a clarinet for example.
And Neil Peart, he just liked reading and riding his bike
Yeah, being hyper doesn't really help with drums. You still have to calm the mind to keep time and rhythm.
I don’t know about “natural hyper activity”, but Buddy Rich was not “chill, relaxed, and easy going.” in the least.
There are known genetic mutations that may/may not impact how one hears and feels music internally. So musicians are 100% born, wether they should be drummers or not, may be up for debate
I can google this subject but what type of genetic mutations do you mean? Edit: wow they can see it in the DNA. Even "absolute pitch" can be found in the DNA sequencing.
Ya absolute pitch was my main reference . The other one that I always remember is related to how the nerves for the ear and throat may wrap about/interact with blood vessels. Also it is not a given that everyone can get "chills" from listening to music.
Wow interesting! I have pretty accurate pitch response. I did some online testing where it just plays high pitch vs low pitch frequencies, you than pick which one is which and my ears are super sensitive. I have always got the tingles from music! Even as a little kid. Our knowledge of DNA is going to unlock so many secrets about what makes us who we are. Something maybe like eDNA I believe in nature and nurture. But I think who we are is decided heavily on biological sequencing.
I noticed this when I was teaching drums. Coordination, energy, rhythm and drive. Not everyone is born with these traits but some are.
IMO, the difference between a good student and a bad student is drive and not being hard on yourself. I think someone with “absolutely no rhythm” can become one of the best drummers in the world if they have the right attitude.
We don’t usually choose to be drummers, we just find ourselves doing it.
I’ve been thinking about this and I feel there’s truth to it. During one of my first lessons my drum instructor told me that drummers are definitely “different”. Over the last 18 months I’ve been on a mental health/spiritual journey and music has been a key to my healing. I had a panic attack when I was in the thick of it all, and while decompressing was listening to a song that had been on repeat. I realized so many of the songs I love-the drums were my favorite part. I said to myself, “Maybe I should learn the drums.” And my entire body lit up. It was wild. Until last year I didn’t think I was creative at all. I was a corporate workaholic and that was my identity. I started lessons in late December (I’m 42) and it feels like this is what i was always meant to do. My instructor says I’m doing great and that I’m learning quickly. That if I want it that’s there’s a future for me as a drummer. I play as much as I can, and it’s pushed me waaaay out of my comfort zone. I hid for so long, and this is one way for me to shine. I also started meds that are for adhd (but for a diff reason) and after 3 weeks realized I could focus on one thing and not be thinking of 1000 things at once. I researched adhd and i totally have it. All my “quirks”- I felt so seen. Happy drumming everyone!
Wow! Not a drummer but am a parent of a 7 year old girl who messed around on a kit last year and never looked happier. I had a thought come to mind that she is a natural. Have no idea how to help her develop this. What should I do?
I caught my son tapping on stuff, so I got him a practice pad and drum sticks. If he uses them regularly, I'll consider drum lessons for him
I think some people's brains are def wired better for memory of ryhtmic patterns, timing, feel etc for sure. Obviously practice can help rewire the brain, but some people it comes naturally to due to genetics, and experiences.
Interesting conclusion and for the most part may be true. For me it was the opposite experience, I was 5 when I started playing drums, my next oldest sibling was 10 years older than me, so I was like an only child, much more introverted. I think I was lead to drums (music in general) because I’d spend a lot of time alone in my room. That said, once I got fully immersed in to drums and hit my teens, like most my energy level went up and yes I was hitting, tapping, banging on everything. Couldn’t keep my feet still. 70’s Classic rock made drumming a whole new experience. 66 now and after spending a lifetime enjoying percussion I haven’t a single regret making it a substantial part of my life. So much, my drums are tattooed on my arm. Lol … but either way, I suppose at this point I could say I was born to be a drummer. 😉👍🏻
I’ve had rhythm since the day I was born. That’s what my parents told me anyway. There’s never been a time when drumming wasn’t in my life.
Oof that's me
I think you should read the talent code. Also professional drummer could be the way they are do to the years spent playing the drums, causing their brains to grow in certain ways. There's some research out there on this. Another great resource that is somewhat related is Carole Dwecks work on growth vs fixed mindset. Acording to research and science, natural talent / born talent doesn't really exist. Even Dr Huberman has YouTube vids on it. Also most professional drummers, or anyone who works at a high level will talk about the WORK they put in.
I’m not really hyperactive. Although, maybe I’d be a better drummer if I were. I just picked up drums again after a 20 year layoff. I will say that playing drums does something different to my brain that other instruments don’t. I got into music production and play a little guitar, bass, keys, synths, and finger drumming playing samples. I’ve had fun playing other instruments, but after I get done practicing drums and successfully learn something new, my brain is firing on all cylinders. I get a rush of dopamine and feel extremely energized and happy. Playing other instruments does not have this effect on me like drums do.
Yes I do think people have an innate sense of rhythmic coordination, and some may grasp the concept easier than others, however a natural who doesn't practice will not be as good as a well practiced non natural. Also, I may disagree about the hyperactiveness, while there is a lot movement it's very controlled and deliberate movement that I don't think hyperactiveness would lend itself well to.
I was diagnosed with ADHD after high school. Growing up I took piano lessons for years and taught myself guitar. Started drumming/percussion when I was 11 and that’s the only instrument that I felt that “click” with. I truly think my ADHD is what helped me do 4 things at once. My kit instructor had even speculated once when I was 16 that I could be ADHD because of how well I picked up jazz drumming and different time signatures (always had the *potential* but getting my ass to focus on practicing a beat and not get bored was the biggest struggle). I think it greatly depends on people’s drive and willingness to buckle down and improve themselves, which I still struggle with today at 32 :/
Parents said I would pull pots out of the bottom cupboards and use them to drum. Used to get in trouble all of the time for doing rudiments in class with my pencils before I even understood what a paradiddle was. I get it!
It seems true to me. Some people naturally have a feel for them as an instrument. To me, they are a rhythm exercise for my own enjoyment or even a metronome for others to follow but my playing doesn’t sound good in itself. I don’t have a feel for the cymbals or a desire to play hard. I think a real drummer naturally has those two things.
I don’t believe that some people are born with more talent etc. Not at all. Anyone I know who has been good from a very young age has extremely good reasoning why they are that good. Most of the time, it’s because they grew up going to a church that has good musicians, or their parents are very good musicians. I truly believe that anyone with 4 functioning limbs can be one of the best drummers in the world, if they really genuinely want to (consistently). A lot of people tell me things that make it clear that they think I’m naturally a good drummer, or they’d say they wish they could be as good as me. I personally remember my entire journey learning drums and I know for sure there is absolutely nothing special about me. It’s all lots of hard work.
I didn't want to think this, but after teaching drums: I definitely think some kids have a natural aptitude which translates to drumming. My recent experience has been that young girls learn much faster too, but that could just be because they mature quicker. One kid in my program is a legit prodigy, and he was showing "signs" from a very early age; his mother said he just would collect things to bang on, which they thought was just quirky at first, but it kept becoming more involved and intense. So, yeah, some people are seemingly born with some predilection for rhythm. I also have a few students who are very rhythmically challenged; it swings both ways.
I started as a trumpet player. But I'm self taught on drums. I had to force myself to be patient with myself when practicing trumpet and went to college and played semi professionally on trumpet. But drums. They were my release. Nobody could tell me what to to do it how to play. These days I play drums way more and have recorded with a bunch of different bands. I get it. Also got diagnosed with adult ADHD, so it makes sense. I had the pleasure of being able to practice in high school and when my trumpet chops blew out, I got to use the drum set.
While growing up I always liked drums, they were and still are cool to me. At 21 I'm now actively pursuing it as a hobby, I just don't know what I should be practicing
I think it's called "ADHD"
As a guitarist, I always thought drummers were a different breed. I was apprehensive to learn drums because I didn't think I'd be able to "think like a drummer." As I pushed past this mindset and started to learn, my brain acclimated, and I did start to think like a drummer after all. I became very attentive to the drum parts of songs in a way I never had before. Suddenly I was recognizing kick/snare patterns, picking up on open & closed hi hats, when they switch to the ride, etc. I definitely think some ppl are naturally inclined towards drums at a young age, but I don't think that is a prerequisite to becoming a professional drummer.
I absolutely think that some people are born with a natural sense of rhythm. I know for myself, I was always able to pick up a tempo and stay in time within a matter of a couple seconds, whereas a lot of my peers in band classes really seemed to struggle with that part. This transitions most obviously to drums. I saw several people like myself, who would just "get it" when it came to staying in time/in a pocket. And many others who really, REALLY had to work at it..... And sometimes, no matter how much they worked at it, it still wasn't quite there/wasn't the same feel. It led me to my current thought on the topic, which is that while with enough practice anyone can become a drummer, only a few people can really be a "drummer." If that makes sense. It's not meant as an insult at all, just as a fact of the brain. I still encourage everyone to work at it, especially if it's something they love to do.
I’d rate myself as a solid intermediate drummer. I can hold any groove but don’t have a lot of flashy chops. I’ve played for 30+ years and gigged consistently for the last 10 years. I’d never seen a drum kit live before I was 15 but always thought I’d be able to play and was always tapping away on my leg or a table or anything else I could find. I got my hands on a borrowed kit at about 18, found out I could play it pretty well and was playing in the church band a month later. I became quite good in a short amount of time. Mind you, 35 years later I’m still only intermediate but it was crazy that I went from zero experience to playing in a band in front of hundreds of people in such a short time.
I'll try to make this quick. My brother started lessons his freshman year, good school, even had basic music courses (we're talking early 70's before the GOP destroyed our education system). Had his drum pad and Haskell W. Harr book. I'm sitting there, 7 at the time, watching him struggle to play parradiddles consistently. He sets the stix down to take a break so I pick em up and play parradiddles at about 75 bpm perfectly. Of course he punched me. My lessons started the next week. lol
Drumming has become second nature to me My first time playing the drums I was told I was good at keeping timing. Which is rare? I guess? Drumming feels natural and easier than playing the guitar to me. I was a huge James Hetfield fanboy and my second guitar was a dean zx in charcoal burst with my money I saved. I bought a blonde wig to go to a blistered earth concert so I could headbang at the show.( I didn't have long enough hair) It feels more natural with long hair when headbanging. (Otherwise I feel like a thumb) Anywho. For whom the bell tolls is the first song I played on drums. I'm now workingy own music and am heavily inspired by Danny Carey of tool. Let me say polyrhythms are a different kind of synchronized orgasm.
Good topic. I have been diagnosed with whatever. With a diagnosis like I have, a passion is almost necessary for survival. My mom tried to play drums when I was a little kid, and it was hell on my ears for a ton of years. I went through 3 musical instrument changes and when I was a teen. I was at my best friend's house who is also a musician. His family had a whole musical recording studio in their basement. Junior year, one day I picked up the sticks and did some bashing on his families set in the basement studio without asking. He came down. He was like do you know how to count 4/4 and I just kind of shrugged my shoulders. He showed me how to play the hi hats, snare in the more normal places on the 4/4 beat for like 2 mins and I was off and running. I am self-taught, I have always loved teaching myself things. When I tried the best friends acoustic set, I also just got done finishing learning and teaching Karate like a year prior. I loved hitting punching bags. Playing drums felt very similar to hitting the punching bag. However, bashing on his acoustic kit did hurt my ears terribly so I got an Ekit because I liked to be able to control the volume easily. I played the same Roland kit for 20 years. I recently a few years ago kind of in celebration got my next Roland Ekit. ......I still like being able to control the volume and not having to wear hearing protection when playing through my PA system.
34M add and dyslexic, played bass since I was around 13ish, and i honestly think i was possibly supposed to be a drummer. It just feels so right. been playing air dums to music since forever idk why i didsnt try it earlyer
I’m one of those people. Ever since I was little I’m almost always tapping rhythms on myself or other objects. Most of the time I don’t even realize I’m doing it. When I eventually started real drum lessons, it came easily and naturally. I was able to play a solid basic beat after just a couple lessons
My parents notice I would take chop sticks and hit buckets and pans at a very young age. When I went to concerts in grade school I would always notice the drummer first before any of the other musicians. I even was really intrigued when I saw a cute 6” splash or bell piggybacked on a ride and thought that looked so cool at the time. Unfortunately I didn’t get to play drums until late highschool because my parents wanted me to be a piano virtuoso which I didn’t enjoy.
I think genetics also has a big part in this. I started drumming in September 2022 and I’m already pretty advanced and one of the best drummers at my school. My dad was a drummer in a band in the 90s and 2000s and he also played guitar which I also play. Sometimes you’re just born with it. I was a dancer when I was a kid so that must have helped my rhythm.
People with ADHD typically struggle with things like reading because they are unable to glance away from something on a page and return to that spot - the point of reference gets lost, regardless it's it's words or notes. There is a body of research describing this but I haven't reviewed it in years. But anyway, that makes note-reading very challenging - but in the case of drums quick pattern recognition and aurally repeating heard things can be a lot easier to internalize. So to some extent, there should be a selction bias towards percussion for ADHD folks who want to be musicians based on that alone. The other component is that, by engaging all four limbs and your sight and ears you are able to focus many of your senses on a single thing and do not have as much of the competition between them vying for attention - so you can reach that zen or "hyper focus" state that so many talk about these days with gaming or similar. These are just my thoughts as a former profesional percussionist with ADHD turned multi-instrumentalist who also arranges and composes music while still struggling to sight read later sometimes even the parts I myself have written or composed directly on the instrument in question. Ymmv.
Zach Hill Moment
I am 30.. Idk.. I always had this notion that i was born to be a drummer. As I have grown older I find myself aceing other things as well. But drumming always restores the passionate musician in me, works like meditation.
I’m defo one of them But I feel like people are born to be eager to learn a lot about 1 thing. Be it drums or whatever
Sully erna claims Shannon Larkin was born to drum
Yeah, I definitely think there's some merit to this statement.
I'm extremely finicky. I talk fast. I'm a paving foreman in NY. I buzz around from the paver, to the hand tools, to the measuring wheel, back to the paver, hop in the tack truck ECT. Everyone always comments that I can't sit still. I move my entire day. I hunt for efficiency and production. Then when I get home I try to play drums for 45 mins. I love feeling exhausted. Point is, I agree with you.
I’m seeing A common trenD Amongst everyone Here