I started as a drummer(Drum set) moved into percussion in HS (92-94) and then picked up a doumbek and a djembe for the first time at 20. I'm 38 now, and while the previous skills helped me (particularly with fills, and improvisation) I bought a CD to learn the traditional Rhythms, went to a couple of clinics, but still 18 years later I consider myself a student of the doumbek. Its something I hope to never "master" because I want to continue that excited growth/learning/joy everytime something new clicks for me :-)