to augment swede's statement: if you're going the self-taught route, you should really get jojo mayer's dvd. it's the most comprehensive approach to learning everything about the way a drumstick works when in your hand.

4 words: 8 note rock beat. XD

It took me about 3 years to call myself "good" and then back it up, and I mean really be able to prove it. I've been playing now for about 4 1/2 years and am pretty much at the same level, prob. a little better then I was @ the 3 year mark.

I can pretty play any song/beat with the exception of double bass as I never learned to play double bass. Other then that pretty much everything from Blink 182 fast to Explosions in the Sky stuff. It's ****ing awesome man to play an instrument, epically when your good and can jam with a band or other musicians. I wanna learn more instruments like guitar but haven't got to it yet.

I could hardly play the drums when I joined my first band. If you've got the balls to feel completely inadequate at times compared to those you're jamming with, just throw yourself in. It's actually the best way to learn!

The coolest thing is to be able to play with any musician. This means you understand music but not necessarily your instrument. So to evolve further you should try beats you know you can't do.

I started by playing percussion instruments rather than a full set, and once i moved to the set.. it was much easier than just trying to jump right in. I started with a tamborine.. moved to a cajon and played that for a couple years, and now I still play that and play a set too.. I love it!