Should I Practice Drums on Music Genres That I Don't Like?

Yes, practicing musical genres you do not enjoy is one of the fastest ways to become a superior drummer. While it is tempting to stick strictly to your favorite playlists, stepping outside your comfort zone unlocks critical technical and creative benefits. It transforms you from a hobbyist into a versatile musician.

Expanding Your Technical Toolkit of every musical style relies on unique physical mechanics and muscle groups.

• Jazz develops unparalleled independent limb control, feathering techniques, and dynamic stick control.

• Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms build complex coordination through syncopated polyrhythms and ostinatos.

• Funk and R&B sharpen your internal clock, teaching you how to lock into a deep pocket and manipulate micro-grooves.

By avoiding these genres, you miss out on the specific physical workouts that make your hands and feet more adaptable.

Cross-Pollination of Creativity

Playing only one style leads to predictable, repetitive drumming. When you study disliked genres, you naturally bring those foreign concepts back into your preferred style. A metal drummer who learns jazz can inject blistering fills with newfound subtlety and ghost notes. A pop drummer who studies reggae can add fresh, syncopated accents to standard radio beats. This cross-pollination is how unique personal styles are born.

Professional Versatility

If you ever want to play in a cover band, do session work, or pass music school auditions, versatility is your currency. The music industry rarely hires drummers who can only play one rhythm. Learning to play genres you dislike builds empathy for how different instruments interact, turning you into a better listener and a highly employable bandmate.

Embrace the discomfort. You do not have to love the music to love what the music does for your hands.

Personally, there are some genres I don't like. I can't say they are bad; we all just have our own taste. Sometimes I have to force myself to learn certain grooves. Even when my nervous system feels like it is exploding like a balloon, the results afterward make me think differently.

Let's be more open-minded, reduce the negativity, and respect every musician in every genre. Even if you don't like a specific style, our support is a small part of creating a friendly and healthy music community.