How Much Should You Be Practising? (For All Levels)
Whether you’re just picking up your first pair of drumsticks or you’ve been drumming for years, the age-old question remains: how much should you be practising? My guess is probably more than you are!
As drummers, we all strive to improve, but finding the right balance between life, work, and practice can be tricky. In this guide, we’ll explore how much practice you actually need, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced drummer.
The 10,000 Hours Theory: Myth or Motivation?
Before diving into specific practice schedules, we need to address the famous 10,000-hour rule, popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers. This concept originates from Anders Ericsson’s research, which suggests that deliberate practice—not just mindless repetition—is key to achieving mastery.
While 10,000 hours sounds daunting, the truth is more nuanced. Ericsson himself clarified that the quality of your practice is far more important than hitting a numerical target. For drummers, this means focusing on areas like timing, technique, and musicality rather than just banging out rudiments for hours.
Takeaway: Don’t get hung up on the number. Instead, focus on consistent, deliberate practice tailored to your skill level and goals.
How Much Should Beginners Practise?
Goals for Beginners
As a beginner, your primary focus should be on building a solid foundation. This includes:
Developing basic stick control.
Learning to read drum notation.
Playing simple grooves and fills.
Building muscle memory for proper hand and foot techniques.
Recommended Practice Time
15-30 minutes a day: Start small but consistent. Daily practice helps you develop muscle memory and prevents overwhelm.
Focus on foundations: Split your practice into sections, such as warming up with single strokes, practising simple grooves, and playing along to songs.
Common Pitfalls
Overloading yourself: It’s tempting to practise for hours, but as a beginner, shorter, focused sessions are more effective.
Ignoring technique: Poor habits formed early on can hinder your progress down the line.
Read: Check out my blog on 3 Simple Ways to Get Gigs as a Beginner Drummer for more tips on advancing your skills.
Intermediate Drummers: The Balancing Act
Goals for Intermediate Players
At this stage, you’re likely comfortable behind the kit and ready to expand your horizons. Your focus should shift to:
Refining your technique.
Learning more complex grooves and time signatures.
Improving your dynamics and feel.
Developing improvisational skills.
Recommended Practice Time
45 minutes to 1.5 hours per day: This allows you to balance technical exercises, repertoire building, and creative exploration.
Structure is key: Dedicate time to rudiments, sight-reading, and jamming. For example:
15 minutes: Warm-up (rudiments, stick control).
30 minutes: Focused practice (e.g., learning a new groove or song).
15 minutes: Improvisation or free play.
The 80/20 Rule
At the intermediate level, the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) becomes invaluable. Focus 80% of your time on areas that directly impact your playing and 20% on experimenting with new styles or techniques.
Common Pitfalls
Plateauing: Many drummers hit a plateau because they’re practising the same material over and over. Take this as an opportunity to slow down the tempos, and maybe play some supporting exercises to your main goal.
Neglecting creativity: Don’t just be a technical player; work on your musicality by playing along to different genres and expanding your influences.
When I’m not teaching, you can find me drumming for Winter Gardens & Coco & The Lost.
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Advanced Drummers: Pursuing Mastery
Goals for Advanced Players
Once you’re advanced, your focus shifts to:
Achieving mastery in your chosen style(s).
Perfecting advanced techniques like four-way independence, polyrhythms, and odd-time grooves.
Goals become much more subjective and nuanced at this stage and can’t always be quantified numerically.
Recommended Practice Time
1.5 to 3 hours per day: Advanced players benefit from longer, highly structured sessions. For example:
30 minutes: Advanced warm-ups and rudiments.
45 minutes: Technique refinement (e.g., double bass, odd-time signatures).
30 minutes: Repertoire practice (e.g., preparing for gigs or recordings).
15-30 minutes: Creative exploration or soloing.
Deliberate Practice vs. Playing for Fun
While advanced players may be tempted to “just play,” deliberate practice is still crucial. However, balance this with time to simply enjoy the instrument and stay connected to your passion.
Common Pitfalls
Burnout: Long hours can lead to mental and physical fatigue. Schedule rest days to recover.
Neglecting fundamentals: Even advanced drummers benefit from revisiting basics to maintain a solid foundation.
Time Management: As you become a renowned drummer you have much less time to practice. Consider bulk practising in your off-season when you’re less busy.
Read: Explore my guide on perfecting your drumming setup to make the most of your practice sessions.
Practical Tips for All Levels
1. Set Clear Goals
Whether it’s mastering a specific groove, improving your speed, or learning a new genre, having clear goals keeps you focused and motivated.
2. Track Your Progress
Keep a practice tracker to make sure you are progressing on the kit. More on this in the recommended blog post below.
3. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
It’s better to have 30 minutes of focused, deliberate practice than three hours of aimless playing.
4. Stay Inspired
Watch drum covers, attend live shows, or connect with fellow drummers to keep your passion alive.
Read: Become the Best Drummer You Can Be in 2025: 3 Practise Tips to Boost Your Progress.
Wrapping Up
So, how much should you be practising? The answer depends on your skill level, goals, and lifestyle. Beginners can make significant progress with as little as 15 minutes a day, while advanced players may need to dedicate several hours to reach their peak. Whatever your level, remember that consistency, deliberate focus, and a love for the craft are the keys to success.
The suggested practice times for each level in the blog post are based on a combination of generally accepted guidelines for skill development in music education, anecdotal evidence from experienced teachers and professionals, and principles derived from research into deliberate practice (e.g., Malcolm Gladwell’s work, Anders Ericsson's work). They reflect common patterns that help drummers achieve consistent progress:
Beginners: Emphasis on building fundamental skills with shorter, more frequent sessions to accommodate limited stamina and focus.
Intermediate: Gradual increase in practice time to refine technique, explore styles, and develop stamina.
Advanced: Longer, focused practice sessions for technical mastery, creativity, and specialization.
However, these are guidelines, not rules. Everyone learns differently, so the actual time needed can vary depending on individual goals, motivation, and learning speed.
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