What is the Best Age to Start Drum Lessons?

Amber Baldock
Jan 31
5 min read

So you're wondering if there's an appropriate age range to learn drums...

While my first instinct is to yell from the rooftops, "NOW! START LEARNING NOW!", I understand why you're asking.

Are children able to learn faster? Is it too late to start? How old does a child have to be to get the most out of lessons?

All of these are valid questions, so let's break it down.

If your asking because you have a child that has expressed interest in learning drums, read on.

If your an adult and wondering if you should give it a go, skip down the page.

My child wants drum lessons, are they old enough?

I've taught people of all ages, ranging from 5 to 50.

Under 5 is a bit of a gamble. Their coordination hasn't truly developed yet, nor their understanding of rights and lefts (very important for drums). Also, they need to be able to reach the pedals! So I think 5 years old would be the absolute minimum, but again it depends on the individual. If you like, get them a mini, kids size drum kit and see how long they stay interested in it for.

If your child is between 5 and 8, it can definitely work, but I will say: try not to expect a lot of progress in the beginning. The only time I see students of this age make it work is if they are REALLY into it, and stick with it for at least 6 months. That doesn't mean don't give it a go, sometimes kids get behind the kit and something just lights up in their soul. It can become something they stick with for the rest of their lives. But there is an important factor to consider, can your child pay attention for at least 30 minutes?

Mmhmm.

30 minutes is the usual minimum duration of a drum lesson, and sometimes the maximum attention span between years 5 to 8. Again, every child is different, but that's why I say you'll need to keep your expectations reasonable in this particular age group.

Now, as we start to move up in age from 8 years, we see a lot more progress. Their attention span can hold for a full 30 minutes, their awareness of their limbs, their rights vs lefts, and ability to engage with the lesson really ramps up with each year they get older.

But, and there is a but, it depends on how much they enjoy it.

Students that start because they want to, keep practicing because they want to and not being forced to, are usually the ones that stick with it.

When practicing becomes a chore to earn something else, I've seen them slowly come to resent it, they lose the passion, and it is no longer fun. And then 6 months later, you've got to resell the drum kit.

Now, I fully understand the need for routine and boundaries with the youngsters, but I'll encourage you to leave that out of drums. If you want them to potentially make a career out of it in the future, it will happen only because they still enjoy it. So maybe the right way of saying it is: encourage them, but don't force them.

The same principle goes for the teenagers.

They're developing their sense of self, and drums can be a great part of that. Drumming is often quite unique to each player, we find things we like to play, music we like to listen to and learn, other drummers that inspire us, and with that, comes the community and sense of belonging.

Drumming is quite therapeutic too, so for anyone struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD etc. there is a zen to be found in drums, not to mention a boost of confidence when they see themselves progressing (that goes for all ages, not just the kids!).

Do Children Learn Faster Than Adults?

Well, according to googles AI generator, they do:

"Yes, according to research, children generally learn faster than adults, as their brains are more readily adaptable to new information and can stabilize new learning more quickly than adult brains; this is often attributed to their high level of plasticity and less established neural networks. "

But for drums? I'm tempted to disagree.

Yes, some of my younger students pick it up quite quickly, but so do some of my adult students. It is a very case-by-case thing.

Someone's ability to progress and learn in drumming is not so decided by age. Rather, I think it comes down to these key things:

How much they enjoy it.

How determined they are.

How much time they spend practicing.

The rest, like levels of coordination, ability to follow the rhythm, and how naturally it comes to them are not nearly as important as those three things. You could be the most uncoordinated person in the world and still be able to learn drums, it might take a bit longer, but it's not a deal breaker. The same goes for natural talent. Drums did not come naturally to me as it does for some of my students, I had to work twice as hard, but I got where I am now as a drummer because of how much I enjoyed it, my determination to get better at it, and the hours of practice I put in over the years. Not to mention the incredible teachers that have helped me through the multiple walls I've hit mentally.

Am I Too Old Too Learn Drums?

No.

But I'm over 50...

So?

I'm 90 years old!

Truly, well done for making it to 90, but you can still learn drums!

What the heck is with the excuses, do you want to give it a crack or not? (Lovingly)

That is truly the only thing stopping you. YOU! So give it a go.

If you've always wanted to try it, do it.

If you think you might enjoy it, do it.

If you just want a new challenge, doooo it.

If you did it once as a kid and wondered why you ever stopped, do it!

Do you get the idea?

You don't even need to fork out a heap of money on a drum kit, get a cheap one for under $100aud, practice on your pillows, air drum, whatever. And if you can't afford lessons, there is a million and one videos on YouTube that will walk you through anything and everything about drums.

Are you worried you don't have enough space for a drum kit in the house? Fair enough. They are cumbersome things, though a lot of the electric kits these days can fit in the corner of even the smallest of bedrooms.

Are you worried about the noise? Maybe you live with a shift worker or have grumpy neighbors. That is why they invented electric drum kits! Also, depending on where you live, your allowed to practice for a maximum number of hours per day, and between certain hours. So screw the neighbors! I'm kidding. But there is not a lot the shire can do about any complaints so long as your following your local rules. Just try to be courteous if you know you live near people that work nights, or have sleeping baby's, for instance.

Plus, they sell all kinds of gadgets these days to make drums quieter, from mesh heads (drum skins), to low volume cymbals, to the classic mute pads that you can put on the drums, or even just throwing some towels over the whole thing.

So, if you've made it to this page, you're clearly considering it, either for yourself or your little human. Give it a go.

Maybe you/they stick with it and it becomes a fun new hobby, maybe it becomes a career, or maybe you/they try it and think, nah, not for me.

Either way, you'll soon find out, right?

Enough of my rambling. I hope I answered some of your questions!

Summary: Playing drums is incredibly fun and rewarding, for all ages.

Have a good one!

Amber