Two Beginner Questions

[the_vza1]

Ive been learning how to play from a friend for 4-5 months
we got some songs down and are starting to write our own as he's teaching me scales and stuff

1) I desperately want to begin distinguishing notes by ear and developing that talent , how do i start because all ive been using is tab, and thats not gonna help me much in the future. How do i begin?

2) I started playing with this drummer kid and thought it was the best exprience ever, fun as hell, and more fulfilling than just guitar + bass, but apparently he wasnt very good, do better drummers make for a funner time?

any help is appreciated

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by the_vza1

do better drummers make for a funner time?

Drummers are an endless source of amusement...

Good drummers make playing much more fun.

[Alexander]

Try www.good-ear.com - good for helping hear intervals (the distance between notes). I also think it is important for a number of reasons to learn the two-octave major scale and practice it in different keys - singing the notes as you play them (as numbers AND as the note itself).

And yes, good drummers are VERY VERY important. I play in a band with one average drummer and one who is AMAZING (normally plays guitar). The difference between the two is incredible.