So you've begun taking up tutorials on how to play the drums. Now, you're thirsty for tips on how to improve your skills. So, aside from taking up drum lessons for beginners, here are a few nifty tricks that'll help you become a better drummer. So go ahead, read on and improve your drum playing habits.

Practice Posture

Though it might not show today, bad drumming posture would definitely affect you in the long-run. A lot of beginning drummers tend to slouch while they bang on the toms. Continue doing this for an extended period of time and you'll eventually have back problems. Worse, you could also develop bone problems should you not break this habit.

Conversely, being too stiff would also affect your drum playing. Being too rigid would cause your muscles to stiffen up. Once your muscles start to contract, you tend to lose flexibility and dexterity. So stay loose and comfortable when you practice.

Count out Loud

It doesn't have to be loud, actually. In fact, you can just whisper. What matters here is that you should be able to keep up with the beat--vocally. This practice would help you, in time, sing along while playing the drums.

On top of that, counting out loud keeps your breathing regular. And, as most drummers would argue, breathing is important if you want to keep up with the beat. Why? This is because irregular breathing patterns cause your body to stiffen up--which then would cause you to lose tempo. So keep those vocal cords running!

Mirrors are Great

In most drum lessons for beginners, a lot of drum instructors would tell you to play in front of a mirror. The reason behind this is for you to evaluate your own technique. By practicing in front of a mirror, you'll be able to notice the position of your hands, your balance, as well as your posture. On top of that, you'll also be able to see if you look good on stage.

And by that we mean performance. Do you make drummer faces? Do you slouch too much or are you too stiff? All of these would go hand in hand once you start performing for a crowd. So keep a mirror handy when you're practicing. If you want a full evaluation, you can also record yourself with a video camera.

Stock up on Gaffers Tape

Some drum lessons for beginners might not mention some drummers consider their best friend: gaffers tape. But trust us; this could help you a lot. See, gaffers tape functions pretty much like a duct tape; the only difference is that gaffers tape isn't glossy or shiny, rather, it features a modest mat finish. So why stock up on this? The answer is surprisingly simple, actually. Gaffers tape is actually a thick cloth tape. It has the ability to absorb high frequency tones well. This way gaffers tape is best for muffling toms.

On top of that, gaffers tape is also great for taping drum heads and stands together. So, if you're about to play on stage, a couple of gaffers tape could hold your drum heads and stands should you they fail. You can get one of these at your local hardware store.