A Guitarist? Or a Drummer?

張貼日期：Nov 24, 2010 2:3:35 PM

A Guitarist? Or a Drummer?

 Leo Chang

      I’m an old hand in playing in the band. A lot of my students ask me how to choose a suitable instrument between a guitar and a drum for themselves. I think learning to become a good guitarist is easier than learning to be a good drummer. I will explain the differences between them in terms of practicing, price, and opportunity for work.

      If you’re a guitarist, you can carry your guitar to practice everywhere. In your dorm, on the sidewalk, at the party, it’s so convenient to practice if you want. And you should know how hard it is for a drummer to find a place to practice. You have to find a music practice room, or you must have a place with good sound insulation to practice it. If you practice it at home, your neighbor must call the police, since it’s so noisy! So, I think practicing guitar is more convenient than practicing drum.

      A guitarist doesn’t have to buy many things. A good guitar with a good effect is all that s/he needs. But if you’re a drummer, you have to buy a whole set of drum set. But, different music styles need different drumbeat. In the end, you’ll spend a lot of money in buying different kinds of crash, hi-hat, and tympana, etc. An all-round drum is much more expensive than a guitar in a band.

      On the other hand, a band never has two drummers but may have two guitarists. It means that it’s easier for a guitarist to find a place to play in a band. And almost all the good band musicians need to play in a good band.

      I want to reaffirm that both the guitarist and the drummer are important in a band. But according to my experience, learning to become a good guitarist is easier than learning to be a good drummer, because a guitarist only needs a good guitar, and it’s easier for him/her to find a place to practice and work as a band musician, as compared with a drummer.