What can I expect as a drummer learning a "real" instrument?

[RootbeerJello]

My flame shield is raised for calling drums not a real instrument. Before anyone tries to mention that, drumming is basically my life, I'm aware it is music.

Anyway, I'm 15 and I've been drumming for 2.5 years, and I'll admit I pride myself on my progression, probably too much. I picked up drumming out of nowhere, and self-taught from there. I learned to read music, practiced daily with and without my iPod, and joined the high school jazz band this year. On the other hand, I only picked up drumming after absolutely failing to learn guitar.

The thing is, now I want to add an "actual instrument". Specifically tenor saxophone. Outside of rhythm, I know next to nothing about music. I have lessons lined up and I can get a sax, but I'm afraid I just won't understand it, like when I tried to learn guitar. What can I expect as far as difficulty here? I know it's going to be much harder than learning drums, but will I get it at all?

 

[MFenix]

All instruments are "actual instruments" (exception to this rule is the bass guitar).
Not an expert but it shouldn't be too hard and if you keep trying and work hard at it you can learn any instrument you want ^^
Having another instrument you can play looks nice but focus more on the drums because you'll probably use that more.

 

[pyramid head grape]

I just randomly started playing guitar one day 3 years later I still do was weirdly looking into drums...

 

[Death Prophet]

The hardest part you will probably have is lung conditioning, jumping into a woodwind instrument with no prior experience you'll have to learn how to facilitate long breaths to expell into said instrument to produce the sound. Which is not easy at first.

 

[PleaseDele]

Why did you fail the guitar? This is a very important question, so please explain.

What I can tell you is this however. Playing a melodic instrument will make you see your drum rhythms differently. You know how the bassist and drummer work together in a rockband? That's the bassist being a link between drummer and guitarist. Learning a melodic instrument might give you insight on how the bassist and guitarist do what they do and therefor throw in some crazy accents on drums.

Ofcourse next to that, you could have great input to give, but you just don't know how to translate your idea to your other bandmembers. Just the fact you play more then just drums (even if your not very good) might help you communicating, making the band even stronger.

You also said you wanted to play a sax. This is good. Breathing techniques are hard to master. This will give you a connection with vocalists. Again we see communication going easier.

All in all, learning a melodic instrument will just fortify your band. I little bonding so to say.

But I'm still interested, why didn't the guitar work out?

 

[Lionsfan]

Well I can't say much on this subject, I'm a drummer trying to learn how to play Guitar. But I guess it shouldn't be too hard, outside of the breathing techniques, as long as you practice it, it should be fine

 

[RootbeerJello]

Why did you fail the guitar? This is a very important question, so please explain.

What I can tell you is this however. Playing a melodic instrument will make you see your drum rhythms differently. You know how the bassist and drummer work together in a rockband? That's the bassist being a link between drummer and guitarist. Learning a melodic instrument might give you insight on how the bassist and guitarist do what they do and therefor throw in some crazy accents on drums.

Ofcourse next to that, you could have great input to give, but you just don't know how to translate your idea to your other bandmembers. Just the fact you play more then just drums (even if your not very good) might help you communicating, making the band even stronger.

You also said you wanted to play a sax. This is good. Breathing techniques are hard to master. This will give you a connection with vocalists. Again we see communication going easier.

All in all, learning a melodic instrument will just fortify your band. I little bonding so to say.

But I'm still interested, why didn't the guitar work out?

Sheet music and the like wasn't really clicking for me, I didn't really understand music theory as opposed to memorizing chords. I think this was because my guitar teacher wasn't very explanatory, but I'll be learning sax from the high school band instructor, so hopefully it'll go better. Thanks for the response, by the way

 

[PleaseDele]

Why did you fail the guitar? This is a very important question, so please explain.

What I can tell you is this however. Playing a melodic instrument will make you see your drum rhythms differently. You know how the bassist and drummer work together in a rockband? That's the bassist being a link between drummer and guitarist. Learning a melodic instrument might give you insight on how the bassist and guitarist do what they do and therefor throw in some crazy accents on drums.

Ofcourse next to that, you could have great input to give, but you just don't know how to translate your idea to your other bandmembers. Just the fact you play more then just drums (even if your not very good) might help you communicating, making the band even stronger.

You also said you wanted to play a sax. This is good. Breathing techniques are hard to master. This will give you a connection with vocalists. Again we see communication going easier.

All in all, learning a melodic instrument will just fortify your band. I little bonding so to say.

But I'm still interested, why didn't the guitar work out?

Sheet music and the like wasn't really clicking for me, I didn't really understand music theory as opposed to memorizing chords. I think this was because my guitar teacher wasn't very explanatory, but I'll be learning sax from the high school band instructor, so hopefully it'll go better. Thanks for the response, by the way

Aaaah... the guitar and sheet music conundrum!

Sheet music is quite a hard thing to grasp. I used to think it wasn't because I grew up with it, but then I remembered hwo much trouble I had in the beginning. Guitar is even worse due to the extended chords you play. Trying to figure out what notes are beign played and then where to play them is very difficult.

But here's my conclusion. Don't give up on guitar just yet. Here's why:

You're going to learn how to play sax from a hopefully good instructor. If he is indeed a good one, you might learn some theory later on. At a certain point you will rediscover other instruments. I used to have keyboard lessons (so that's why I can read sheet music) but I switched ot bassguitar after 5 years. My teacher was great and I really started to grasp the theory behind songs. These days I use what I learned then, and use it for my keyboard.

Now I'm not saying you should pick up the guitar right now. I'm just saying that even if it didnt click at first, it might click after you grasp some more theory and stuff. Ofcourse there will always be guitar tabs. You being a drummer, a guitar might give you more in depth in rhythm on melodic instruments. Whereas the saxophone will probably be more of a lead melody kind of thing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: Playing any other instrument then drums will give you insight in other aspects of music. You don't need to be very good at an instrument for that,just try to understand them. Giving up on a certain instrument would be a shame.

So there you have it. Hope I've been helpful!

 

[Kenami]

Do people in the world really consider drums not to be a "real" instrument? I can't even think of a more unintelligent opinion even if I tried.

 

[franconbean]

I play the Saxophone.
I did try learning guitar, and in my opinion, the Saxophone is much easier.
Thats just me though.
The notation is easier to read too i think
(if you were trying guitar with Tab)

 

[Proteus214]

I play the Saxophone.
I did try learning guitar, and in my opinion, the Saxophone is much easier.
Thats just me though.
The notation is easier to read too i think
(if you were trying guitar with Tab)

After playing an instrument like the saxophone that only expresses one voice in a limited range, learning an instrument that expresses multiple voices requires a completely different mindset. I also play the sax (and pretty much anything else in the single reed family), and I experienced the same thing when learning the piano.

 

[Vonnis]

All instruments are "actual instruments" (exception to this rule is the bass guitar).

Congratulations. That's the dumbest thing I've read all day.

 

[Zantos]

All instruments are "actual instruments" (exception to this rule is the bass guitar).

I forgot about bassist jokes, brilliant!

OT: Well you have a natural sense of rhythm from drums. Aside from that it'll just be like any other instrument. A decent teacher and an interest and will to practice is all it'll take. Good luck!

 

[gyllybug]

I play the flute. Not seriously, just kind of casually. I can vaguely play the keyboard.
While I can read music (and it is hard, like learning a completely new language) I quite like to potter about and play stuff by ear.

My point being, once you get the basic fingering down and your breathing gets stronger, you may not have to read music (unless you plan to play for more than just fun).

I agree though, you shouldn't give up on guitar - my dad cannot fathom sheet music at all, the entire concept just escapes him (a fact that irritated his stubborn nature to no end) yet he is a fantastic guitar player, and taught himself by ear - it's about your determination really.

Good luck to you!

 

[Berethond]

Don't listen to people who say reading music is hard. It's not. Especially for saxophone. It's all fractions.

The most important thing learning to play sax, is to make sure you get the embouchure (mouth shape) right from the beginning.

 

[Spud of Doom]

Reading music won't be hard, really. Not until things get more advanced, but by then the reading isn't often the problem. Wind instruments are easy to read, the difficulty is in learning to develop a good sound. I played flute for like 6 years and it wasn't until like 3 or 4 years in that I really was able to get a nice tone. It's more of an experience thing I guess. First work on getting a consistent sound, then learn some notes and learn a bit of breathing.

Since you have a teacher for it, you should be fairly well guided.

 

[cyanide slaughter]

there are two instruments you can learn that people will be amazed/love you if your good at. The harmonica or the harp, anyone who can play those well are bad ass when it comes to music.