My very fist set! Can somsone give a noob some guidance? (pics)

First off, pardon my misspellings in the title! I suck at typing.

I have played guitar and bass for about 10 years, and have always been the first to jump on my drummer's set and have a go. This weekend, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a set of my own. I had a set when I was about 17 (I am 26 now), it was a big hunk of junk, but I learned the fundamentals of keeping a beat on it.

Now here's my question.. What do I do now to get better. I know practice practice practice, but is there a certain way I should practice to really get the most out of my practice time? I can keep a beat and what not, and I am pretty steady, I just want to get better. I played for about 3 hours yesterday, and I forgot just how much fun playing is.

Well anyway, on to the pics! Here she is in all of her "green halogen sparkle" glory! Note that I am missing the rack tom, I need to go pick up the stand when they get another one in. I know b8s "suck", but I think they actually sound quite decent for a beginner's set. That's the first thing I plan on upgrading.

The guys I jam with play a lot of psych rock type stuff, and I sat in on drums for last night's practice. The 26 inch bass drum BOOMS!

I'm in love!!

Nice kit.

I'd suggest getting at least a few basic lessons ... are you holding the sticks right? are you HITTING properly? can you tune your drums? are you sitting right? ... things like this really can't be explained or demonstrated in print. (maybe a DVD, if you can't get to lessons)

btw, the Tommy Igoe Groove Essential is very good for learning a variety of beats.

+1 on all points.

Great, thank you guys. I have been doing some research on DVD's this morning. I doubt I could do lessons anytime soon, but I would be more than happy to shell out for some dvd's that would really help.

Anyone else have anything to say?

haha. dammit. That's nicer than my kit. Well, the shells at least.

And B8's are great cymbals. By far the best entry level series of cymbals out there. They record pretty nicely, too.

Advice? Well, Tommy Igoe's groove Essentials is a very good idea. Go for that one. And if you can, take at least 2 or 3 lessons just to get some guidance on how to start (holding the sticks, etc.). If you have someone give you instruction from the get-go, then you won't have to re-learn anything later due to poor technique.

Not much to go on. Video clips would help. Then we could all butt in with the standard mutually exclusive approaches to drumming.

All I'd venture now is rotate the snare drum 180 degrees. Just my preference.

And get a real, in person instructor.

Oh and this might be a lot to ask, puhleez don't put the tom on a snare stand.

oooh... What kind of snare is that?

Yup. A DVD can't observe you playing and fix the flaws in your own technique.

The snare is a Pork Pie acrylic. Sounds fantastic!

Anyone have any links to lesson clips online?

I just realized I misspelled "someone".

Gunk!

Well you spelled 'fist' and 'somesone' pretty exact.

HA! Jesus!

I'm such a drok.

You talk funny. You from outta town?

Watch Kieth Carlock for hand technique. It looks a little strange but it's great to learn.

And start working with a metronome now. That way you won't have to learn it later and suck ya know. I had that problem. I started playing and got good and then went into the studio and couldn't stay with the click.

Start with slow tempos.

I'm going to repeat what I said in another thread. You would be better off spending your money on a good teacher who will get you started correctly, than buying new equipment and learning on your own. I relate this to my golf game. I've wanted new clubs for the last three seasons, but I have used the money to take lessons with the best teaching pro in the state. He's found all the flaws I've been repeating year in and year out. New clubs wouldn't fix that. You want to get off to a good start then get someone who will sit you down and show you all the basics, so you will have a good base to build your playing on. You're fortunate in that you are just starting out and can't have to many bad habits yet. Get it right from the start and you won't be back here in 5 years asking why you can't progress.

Tommy Igoe has the best beginner level videos...very informative and great to start with.

That is a very nice first kit! That PP snare rocks!

UGH! I want that kit!

If you REALLY can't find a teacher, buy Jojo Mayer's "Secret Weapons for the Moodern Drummer" DVD. The entire thing is about hand technique.

Thank you guys.

+1.

great dvd.very helpful video for troubleshooting bad technique.

Agreed with finding a teacher.

If not a teacher, then a mentor.

Either way, an experienced drummer IRL can help you better than most anything else.

Get a rug, you dont want your bass drum getting scratched on the brick. And if you get playing a lot, it will start to slide. Just any sort of carpet of rug would be good. But that is a real kickass set, i like it a lot =D

The only other thing I can think of that has not been mentioned is getting yourself a metronome and use it while you practice. You will not regret it in the long run.

Please, Please, Please, Put a carpet under those lovely things before they get hurt.

Mike

I've carpeted. Thank you guys.

I have drum lessons with a great drum teacher starting Wednesday! I am really excited.

Guitarists are a dime a dozen. I know music and theory very well, hopefully I can be a kickass drummer someday.

I know basics, so I am giving myself a six month goal.

This set really kicks ass. Its so boomy and low. Exactly what I wanted.

Thanks for the input. It is greatly appreciated.

They are my escape for now!