What is the best way to improve drumming skills in the beginning stages?

Answer 1

Without a doubt, learning your rudiments is a necessity and will help with rhythm, counting, and anticipating notes.

Answer 2

Developing a good sense of playing evenly and consistently as a novice drummer will pay off as you tackle more complex grooves and rudiments. This means really digging in to simple exercises at slow tempos until you achieve complete comfortability. Counting out loud and playing to a metronome is a MUST for the beginner/novice drummer.

Often times I see beginner/novice students rush the process of spending time with a repetitive exercise. At the end of the day, drumming is playing four instruments at once, therefore you should treat every limb's instrument with that kind of focus.

That being said, practice your rudiments every time before you hit the drums keeping what I've said in mind. Even 15 minutes a day will lead to massive improvement. Just be patient.

Answer 3

Drumming requires the right way to use most/all of your limbs, the best way to improve is to be comfortable with the drum kit. Knowing what your drum kit can produce will make you comfortable and less rigid.

Technicalities with your handling through rudiments is also important as this is your foundation with your grip, wrist, and arm techniques.

But to simplify things after few minutes of rudiments, sit down on the drum kit and play a groove, a rhythm. Your main focus is to make a strong foundation with your limb's independence and with the taste of your playstyle, which will manifest when you sit down on the drums and start feeling and playing a groove.