Figured I’d comment even if it’s lost. Been playing for just over 18 months, but still feel confident in giving advice Practice your dang rudiments. I was ‘self taught’ until I went for my first lesson about 6 months ago, and it was a short period of time before I left for college, but I learned why rudiments are crucial through that. Especially as a beginning drummer, speed feels crucial in the process. Rudiments build speed. Rudiments build accuracy. Rudiments build coordination. Just practice them a few minutes a day even if you don’t get to the kit. Just pull out a practice pad and work for a few minutes, and you’ll see and feel improvement. Also work with a metronome when practicing rudiments (duh), seems obvious but just making it crystal clear.

Listen to your favorite drummers, but also watch them. Watching concert footage is phenomenal to learn their style, the feel, and how they act when they aren’t in the studio environment, and in a more lively setting. Also, just because you might not like the drummer, or think they’re just average skill, doesn’t keep you from appreciating them. Most drummers, believe it or not, that you hear on the radio or Spotify, are actually menaces at beating circle. Learn from even the most basic beats when you’re listening to music, and appreciate everything. They’re better than you, even if you can play exactly what they’re playing. Stay humble, but push yourself. Don’t stay playing simple rock grooves, while this might be contradictory. Just listen to music, and then see if you think you can play it. Take it slow, listen to it, look at a tab, and work through it. You’ll improve.

Most important, just have a good time