If you’ve recently started trying to learn the drums, and you’re new to learning them online, it can be both exciting and overwhelming. The freedom to learn at your own pace is amazing — but that same freedom can also be your biggest enemy if you don’t have structure.
In fact, I’ve seen some new drummers fall into similar traps. We’ll look at 5 of those here.
By the way, if you’re reading this, it’s possible you’ll be interested in my articles about what your first month of learning online will be like or whether studying this way is even worth it in the first place.
They’re also on this topic of exploring online learning in general, pluses and minuses, and lots of details that you may not have considered.
But back to today’s article where I’ll try to help you steer clear of some of the most painful mistakes I see beginners make.
This is the number one problem I hear from students who come to me after trying other online platforms.
They say things like: “There were so many videos I didn’t know where to start.”
Without a clear path, it’s easy to get stuck — scrolling, searching, and second-guessing. You end up watching random clips instead of actually improving.
The fix? There are a few. If you have a solid plan (more not that below) you can pick and choose from the lesson library with confidence. You could also choose a structured program or course that makes those sequential decisions for you and is already programmed to help you reach a particular goal. The point is that it’s important to have some structure. You should always know what you’re working on and why.
This one’s related. A lot of beginners get excited and jump from topic to topic — a fill here, a groove there, a rudiment somewhere in between.
That enthusiasm is great, but if you never stick with anything long enough to master it, you’ll plateau fast and you’ll get discouraged. Pick one skill — maybe single strokes, or independence — and live with it for a while. Deep focus beats random variety every time.
Consistency is how real progress happens.
Behind the bouncing around is a bigger issue: no plan at all.
If you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve, how can you get there? A simple weekly plan keeps you accountable.
If you’re a beginner, using a real method that has an educated philosophy behind it can help. For example The 5 Pillars of Drumming is a framework that I’ve been using as a guide for teaching for many years. It breaks all of drumming down into just 5 skills: 1) Reading, 2) Technque 3) Independence 4) Groove 5) Vocabulary.
If you use a framework like that, it will be hard to go wrong because you’ll always be working on something foundational and important to your development as a drummer.
You’ll get far more from your lessons (online or otherwise) when you know what you’re practicing each day, and when that plan is derived from a solid philosophy of teaching.
By the way, you can read more about my thoughts on practicing in this article called “The Thinking Drummer: On Practice and Patience.”
This one hurts — financially and motivationally.
Many students tell me they signed up for a big subscription site… and then stopped logging in after a few weeks. But the monthly charges keep coming.
It’s the “gym membership problem” of the drumming world.
If you’re not using a service regularly, cancel it and refocus on something you’ll actually follow through on — like a specific course or teacher who keeps you engaged and accountable.
The internet is full of drum teachers — and while some are excellent, others simply aren’t qualified to teach.
A good drummer isn’t automatically a good teacher.
Look for instructors who not only play well but also are able to clearly explain and demonstrate why things work. They should have real teaching experience and a structured approach. If you’re a beginner, it’s especially hard to tell who’s credible — so do a quick background check. Look for credentials, experience, and student testimonials.
And watch them play! If you don’t like the way a teacher plays, why would you take their advice?
If you’re just starting out and trying to learn the drums online, remember: progress comes from structure, consistency, and choosing the right guidance. Take time to map out your path, stick with one skill at a time, and make sure your teacher is covering all of the key skills you need.
When you approach your drumming this way, you’ll find online learning incredibly rewarding — and you’ll actually see results behind the kit.
At BANG! The Drum School, we’re dedicated to helping beginners start strong with clear, structured online drum lessons that make learning fun and frustration-free.
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