[Becky]

I was wondering, is drums an instrument that you have to be born with the ability to play? Like, some people like my dad can instictivly hear a beat in everything (my dad hears beats in windsheeld wipers!!!).

so yea, is it a skill you can learn?

[bobthecockroach]

Rhythm can be learned, yes.

[natedawg5280]

Your dad hears beats in windshield wipers? I hear them in silence.

[Goop2]

Haha, I always used to have a thing for windshield wipers..

Yeah, you should be able to learn to hear it easy enough, but the hard part is trying to follow it, and on the drums, making something out of nothing.

[Rainer.]

Even those with natural rhythmic talent need to be trained. Drumming takes coordination, timing, and agility as well.

[JerRocks2day]

When I listen to music, I try to hear the drumbeat of the music. In a similar way, when I'm listening to my headset, I usually keep the bass-boost button to hear the drums more clearly.

[Ax]

Originally Posted by JerRocks2day

When I listen to music, I try to hear the drumbeat of the music. In a similar way, when I'm listening to my headset, I usually keep the bass-boost button to hear the drums more clearly.

That's not what she was asking, but that explains so much.

Anyways...

I've always taught beat using a metronome. I have taught rhythm to my brother and a few cousins and my father (but god bless him he still has trouble)... best way is to start a beat, and have them sing on that beat. Then change the tempo, and have them sing the same song on the different tempo. Go fast, slow, medium, always making sure they're on beat and eventually it starts to make sense to them.