Drum lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What drum lessons is

A drum teacher covers grip, rhythms, coordination and songs on a drum kit or practice pad, from basic beats to fills and styles. People book drum lessons to keep time in a band, to stop their limbs fighting each other, or to learn a particular style of playing.

Signs you need it

  • Your hands and feet will not work together on a basic beat
  • You speed up or slow down in the middle of a song
  • You want to play fills but cannot make them sound clean
  • You bought a kit or practice pad and do not know how to set it up
  • You want to play with a band and need to keep time with other players

What the pro does

  • Checks your grip on the sticks and your seating height and position
  • Teaches basic beats with the kick, snare and hi-hat, starting slowly
  • Works on coordination between the hands and feet
  • Introduces fills and transitions between sections of a song
  • Plays along with you or uses a click track so you learn to keep time

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether you learn on a full kit or a practice pad
  • Teacher experience with the styles you choose, such as rock, jazz or funk
  • Lesson length and how many lessons you book each week
  • Whether the teacher comes to your home or you travel to a studio
  • Sticks, a practice pad, a metronome or a drum throne you need to buy
  • Whether the lesson space allows you to play at a realistic volume

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number and length of lessons and whether they are private or shared
  • The styles, beats and songs the plan covers
  • The cancellation and makeup policy for missed lessons
  • Whether lessons are in person, at your home or online, and where the kit is
  • Which sticks and accessories you must buy yourself

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you teach on a full kit, and can you teach on mine or a practice pad?
  • Which styles do you teach, and which ones do you play best?
  • How will you help me keep time with a click or other players?
  • If the student is a minor, do you run background checks, and what is your policy on parents in the room?
  • How do you handle noise for my home or neighbors?
  • What should I practice between lessons if I have no kit at home?

Red flags

  • Teaches fancy fills before the student can keep steady time
  • Pushes you to buy a premium kit before any lesson
  • Never uses a click or backing track to check timing
  • Says you can learn a whole kit in a few lessons without practice

What you can do yourself

You can tune the drums, practice rudiments on a pad at low volume, and use a metronome for steady time. Hire a teacher when your hands and feet will not coordinate, when wrist or shoulder pain starts, or when you want to play in a band.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach drum lessons. Check with your state or local licensing agency if you are unsure whether a teaching business needs a registration.

Drum lessons questions

Do I need my own drum kit for lessons?

Not always. A practice pad can be enough for the first lessons. Tell the teacher whether you have a kit, a pad or neither.

Can I take drum lessons in an apartment?

Yes, with a practice pad or an electronic kit. Ask the teacher what volume and setup they use for lessons in small spaces.

How do I book a drum teacher on infinibell?

Describe the lessons you want, including your kit or pad, your style and your level. Pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

Pro reviewers

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