New sticks.
New practice books.
New intentions.
And yet… by February, many drummers are already feeling frustrated, stuck, or wondering why this year feels suspiciously like the last one.
If you’ve ever promised yourself “I’m going to practise properly this year” — only to drift back into unfocused sessions or long breaks — you’re not alone. The issue usually isn’t talent, time, or even motivation.
It’s how goals are set — and how they’re followed through.
Without goals, practice becomes reactive:
• You play what you already know
• You avoid what feels uncomfortable
• You improvement, but with no real plan
That’s how drummers stay busy… but not better.
Clear goals do three powerful things:
1. They give your practice purpose
2. They help you measure progress objectively
3. They keep you going when motivation fades
Think of goals as the sat-nav for your drumming. You still have to drive — but at least you know where you’re heading.
Most drummers fall into one of two traps:
• Goals that are too vague
• Goals that are too big
“Get better at drums” isn’t a goal.
“Play like my favourite drummer” isn’t one either.
Instead, aim for specific, practical, controllable goals.
Try This Simple Goal Framework
For each goal, ask:
• What exactly do I want to improve?
• How will I practise it?
• How long can I realistically dedicate each week?
Examples of Strong Drumming Goals for 2026
• Increase double stroke rollspeed from 90–120 BPM
• Learn to play more comfortably with a click
• Improve my reading of drum notation
• Develop better hand and foot technique
• Improve my weaker hand
Start by writing down five or six areas of your playing that you know really need improvement, and start from there.
Here’s a truth most drummers don’t hear often enough:
Progress comes from consistency, not dramatic breakthroughs.
Big goals become achievable when they’re broken into tiny actions.
Instead of:
“I’ll practise an hour a day.”
Try:
“I’ll do 15 minutes of focused work, four times a week.”
Instead of:
“I’ll fix my double strokes.”
Try:
“I’ll practise relaxed doubles slowly, with control, before pushing speed.”
Small wins compound, and you'll feel inspired to keep practicing, not disappointed that you didnt hit your target that day or week.
One of the biggest ways that students often fail with their goals, is by setting unrealistic ones from the outset. If you know you only around 20 mins per day, go with that, and if you end up practicing for longer, thats great!
Remember, we're setting ourselves up for success here. We're looking for frequent, tangible wins.
Motivation is unreliable.
Structure is dependable.
If you rely on “feeling motivated,” you’ll practise sometimes.
If you rely on structure, you’ll practise consistently.
A simple, effective session might look like:
1. Warm-up (5–10 minutes)
2. Focused goal work (10–20 minutes)
3. Musical application (play along, grooves, songs)
You don’t need marathon sessions — you just need intentional ones, with a clear purpose.
One of the fastest ways to lose motivation is not knowing if you’re improving.
Track just enough to stay encouraged:
• Tempos
• Comfort levels
• What feels easier than last week
A notebook, phone notes, or simple checklist works fine. This isn’t about perfection — it’s about evidence of movement.
There's nothing more motivating than looking back over your notes after a few weeks or a months, and seeing the actual proof of improvement in whatever you've been working on, written down before you.
What To Do When You Have a Wobble (Because You Will)
Let’s be honest — at some point in 2026, you’ll miss sessions, feel stuck, or question whether you’re improving at all.
That’s normal.
Here’s what not to do:
• Quit
• Beat yourself up
• Assume you’ve “lost it”
Instead, do this:
1. Zoom Out
A bad week doesn’t erase months of progress.
2. Reduce the Goal
Shorter sessions. Slower tempos. Simpler material.
3. Reconnect With Why You Play
Put on a favourite record. Play for fun. Remember what drew you to the drums in the first place.
Momentum returns faster than you think — if you stay in the game.
After teaching hundreds of drummers over the years, one thing is crystal clear:
The drummers who improve the most aren’t the most gifted — they’re the most consistent.
They:
1. Set clear goals
2. Follow a simple structure
3. Adjust when things wobble
4. Keep showing up
That’s it.
You don’t need a new kit.
You don’t need superhuman discipline.
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight.
You just need:
Clear goals, and a realistic plan, that you know you have time to stick to.
If you commit to that, this time next year you won’t be hoping you’ve improved — you’ll know you have.
Here’s to a focused, enjoyable, and rewarding year behind the kit!
Happy practising,
Jules
