Let's get it out of the way now so I don't have to use it again - she's got the beat

So here we are.
A new blog.
Doesn't it smell all nice and new and shiny.
Don't worry, that won't last.

The point of this one is because I'm about to start learning to play the drums.
I know! How exciting!
(Oh, what do you mean you were exclaiming because I'm such a stereotype?!)
And I thought it might make an interesting documenting experience.
Especially if there are other ladies out there who want to pound the skins.
OK, wants to pound the OTHER skins.
*cough*

So excuse me if we play a little game of catch-up here for a second because obviously I didn't just decide this today and I'd feel like I was deceiving you all if I didn't confess my previous experience (or lack of) and current objects of use in my possession (ie: drum kit ownage - or lack of).

So first up, why choose drums?

Well, I can't say it has always been on the cards.
I'm not one of those people who was always tapping away on the desks at school, or hitting pans with sticks.
I'm not even sure if I have a good sense of rhythm, but I guess we'll find that out sooner or later.

When people said 'think of a drummer' to me, the following come to mind:
* Def Leppard's one armed drummer, Rick Allen. My brother was big into them and had a video and told me all about how Rick lost his arm and yet played drums.
* Queen's Roger Taylor. Again, my brother was big into Queen, The Cross etc and had lots of video footage he watched, so I saw him play from a young age. But only paid attention to him properly when I saw the video for I Want To Break Free. he he.
* Animal from The Muppets as Beaker sings 'Memories'. I like Animal's forced reserve - which of course he inevitably throws.
* Andy Maclure from Sleeper - I have no idea why he specifically comes to mind apart from that I was a big Sleeper fan and he was probably the first drummer apart from Roger Taylor who I could actually name and recognise.
* Gina Schock from The Go-Go's. I think we can blame Ms Schock for this new obsession. It's nearly all her fault. Hers and the next choice:
* And I know it doesn't count as a 'proper famous drummer' but it obviously HAS shaped my opinion of wanting to learn drums: Mary Stuart Masterson at the start of the film Some Kind of Wonderful playing along to Dr Mabuse by Propaganda (see above pic). Because I thought that was the coolest thing I had EVER seen. And seemingly it IS her playing the drums. Which only makes my crush ten times worse.

So yes, so still, why drums?
I guess I just think it's cool, sorry.
I like the idea of one day being able to say in a nonchalant manner 'Yeah, I play drums' to someone with a shrug, whilst inside grinning like an idiot and wanting to yell "HA! It's SOOOO cool!!"
But of course, it's that Animal reserve.
Barely holding it in.

At the moment I am anything BUT cool, obviously.
I am the skateboarding equivalent of a 'grom' and everyone thinks 'Nah, she won't stick with it', which isn't helped by the fact that I am female, I'm sure.

That said, I am worried that the first time I hit a real drum I'm going to scare the shit out of myself with the noise and think "Wow! I didn't realise it would be so loud!" like a complete knobber.

I have only hit a drum twice.

The first time was at school.
We were paired off and the class had one snare drum and one cymbal which we had to hit in a rhythm in front of the rest of the class.
The boys were good, obviously.
I wasn't.

The second time was in an awful lesbian group and they decided to to an exercise where everyone had to take turns beating out a drum rhythm so everyone else could perform a poetry/lyrics workshop thing.
They said I wasn't keeping a solid beat, that I kept changing it.

So it's largely out of spite to school and that bunch of lesbians that I want to do learn drumming - to prove to myself that I CAN keep a beat and I bloody well am good at it if I want to be.

And the other part wants to do it because I find drummers hot.
There.
I said it.

I'm shallow and I'm doing it because I want the chicks to think I'm cool.
*shrugs*
There are probably worse reasons.
Oh, and because I need the distraction.
And it may improve my co-ordination.
And I just think it's a fun idea.

I'm an adult.
I'll do what I bloody like.
*gets all defensive*

My first lesson - proper lesson Ooooo - is tomorrow.
I found him on the internet.
I have no idea if he's any good.
I'm a beginner so I don't think my judgement is going to be any cop in any case.
If it doesn't work out I'll change after the fist course of lessons.
But I'm hoping it works out.
Largely because he's local and sounds reasonably like he knows what he's doing.
*The words 'own studio' pulled me in to be honest - and the fact that otherwise I'd have to travel up to Camden*

As for kit - I bought a set of plastic 'practice drums' (not real drums - just pads to hit) from a mate of a mate for £50.
I was offered a real drumkit for the same money but I live in a converted Victorian flat and I was worried the noise would get me arrested.
As time progresses I can see I'm going to have to rent a studio or practice room to get real drum experience (unless I spend thousands building a sound proof box in my poxy, tiny flat to put the drums in) - but at the moment the practice kit and practice pad I bought should see me good.

I read on the internet hickory was the 'best' for drumstick materials - and they suggested a standard 5A size - although this was aimed at blokes, so I do find them large to hold (I asked the chap in the Drum Store on Tin Pan Alley and he just went 'you may as well get some nice ones' and passed me some Vic Firth ones, so I blindly took them but the drum tutor said he'd discuss and advise tomorrow). And the practice pad was a big lump of white rubber mounted on a big lump of black rubber. 'Reversible' said the chap in the drum shop - but like I'd know the difference. They both feel the same to hit to me, to be honest - and both sides make the same amount of noise.

And the drum pedal for the practice kit is set up to how the chap before had it.
I decided I'd fiddle with it later when I knew more about such things and what a real one is supposed to feel like etc.

And that's it.
I start tomorrow.

Are these the gates of hell or heaven?
I dunno, but I'm tapping my right foot while I'm waiting to go in.
I hope that's a good sign.