I've been tossing around the idea of learning to drum for a while now and I'm wondering what would be the best way to dive into it. I missed out on a cheap kit on craigslist, but I intend to get a practice pad anyway. I've heard a billion people recommend Stick Control and other books, but I'm wondering more about what's the best way to progress from rudiments on a pad to a full kit.

I've been playing guitar and bass for years, but nobody I know likes surf and they generally prefer music with BROOTAL BLAST BEATS. Mainly I want to be able to record my own drumming for my surf material and maybe some jazz for fun (Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters is what persuaded me to pick up drumming, not to mention being a surf nut). If any of y'all have any pointers I'd be grateful.

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You should definitely check out this topic! And this website.

This post might be a bit off topic. Most of you will consider it redundant and probably in loads of cases you're right, however I consider that at some point any music player, independently of what instrument they play, should have percursion or drums experience in order to enhance their rhythm skills.
For me it has been quite helpfull to beat with my hands on my trousers, trying to keep the beat when I'm listening music

Stick Control is a good book to get used to getting your hands to "think" for themselves without your brain messing it up or second guessing them, but for 90% of surf you just need some single stroke rolls and the beat. Of course, there is more after that, which defines your playing, but those are the basics.
The best practice is listening and emulating. If you can pick out the drum part, as in what each hand and foot are doing, just take it from there and try it yourself, even if it is your hands on your knees and your feet tapping the floor.
Have fun. Surf drumming is definitely the most fun drumming there is.

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http://www.surfyindustries.com

not sure if you'd be into practicing out of a book, but stick control would be a good one to start with. If you just want to become comfortable playing some simple (surf) beats, then I would play along with some easy CDs & maybe if you don't have a kit, start with just a snare or the pad setup you mentioned. I'd keep an eye out for a cheap kit, but certainly wouldn't wait for the kit to begin working on stuff.

I think the "Pounding Surf" drums dvd would probably be good material for you also.

good luck.

tfj

Sit down.
Shut up.
Listen.
Play.

Oh, Have fun!

Jeff Utterback

shivers13

spskins
The best practice is listening and emulating.

Excellent advice! I listened to Tim Fitzpatrick and Ron Wilson's fills over and over. (Still can't figure some of them out!) Playing along to stuff is a great way to learn for sure.

Too true. I'll take this opportunity to brag about/embarrass the Deadbeats' drummer John. He's quite possibly my favorite surf drummer out there, and he learned everything just by listening to none other than Ted, Norm, and Jim here in this very thread... Now check this out. Btw that's me playing lead guitar, and I too learned that song simply by listening carefully and practicing, practicing, practicing. It can be done and it really is the best way!

Nice drumming clip there by John! Solid!! An honor to know that I influenced someone. It's also cool to be the mentioned with Ted and Jim, two of the coolest drummers I know today. Keep up the great work, John!!

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wooza
Too true. I'll take this opportunity to brag about/embarrass the Deadbeats' drummer John. He's quite possibly my favorite surf drummer out there, and he learned everything just by listening to none other than Ted, Norm, and Jim here in this very thread... Now check this out. Btw that's me playing lead guitar, and I too learned that song simply by listening carefully and practicing, practicing, practicing. It can be done and it really is the best way!

DannySnyder
I second that - Jonathan is a great drummer. Very focused and tight - in a good way.

shiver13
Nice drumming clip there by John! Solid!! An honor to know that I influenced someone. It's also cool to be the mentioned with Ted and Jim, two of the coolest drummers I know today. Keep up the great work, John!!

Thanks guys, really means a lot to me. I was introduced to surf music around the same time I started to play drums. My bass player(Abraham) introduced me to surf music through The Ghastly Ones. Soon after Satan's Pilgrims, The Nebulas and The Surf Coasters along with The Ghastly Ones were being listened to EVERYDAY. Even to this day those drummers are my biggest influence. I got so obsessed that I started to learn all of their songs just by listening. I would go through their albums playing and trying to learn every song I could. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE is probably the most important advice any drummer can give you. And of course remember to have fun!