Most importantly don't rush things. Take it slow at first find some nice slow music with a consistant base rhythm that you recognise and play along. Don't play everything loud! Practice finger rolls from soft and slowly increase it's loudness.

You need to use finger exercises to strengthen fingers and be very aware of where and how you strike the drum head around the rim as there's nothing worse than bruised under knuckles. Build up the 'hardness' that you hit the drum with.

Try this finger roll exercise

Index, Middle, Ring, Pinky
Pinky, Ring, Middle, Index
keep repeating and slowly build up both speed and strength in strikes. lol, don't expect Pinky to fully participate for ages! I play 3 fingers as I have short tendons in my pinkies and they refuse to co-operate, lol.

Try not to get into the habit of leaning your KA hand on the body of your drum, it does affect the sound coming out of the drum and you'll have limited movement.

Sharp TEKS, I do with my middle or ring finger on my right hand (I am right handed so my drum sits on my left thigh). I use my fingernails for 'rain rolls', sounds like rain on a plastic roof.

Basically every drummer has a different way of playing and you need to find a way that is comfortable for you.

Dvd's and videos that are available show a wide range of drumming skills that professional drummers use.

Another trick is to record yourself playing one rhythm for 3 to 5 minutes on tape and you have an instant 'drum buddy'! Then add more rhythms as you learn them until you have a 'drum buddy' who will practice with you for ages. I did this at the beginning and found it great as you also have your 'drum buddy' to stick to the basic rhythms as you learn to fill and elaborate. Actually I found this the best way to practice and give my new students copies so they can have their own 'drum buddy' at home.

Love
Samiya
xxx