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If one has a loud hobby, such as playing drums in a basement, how can one keep the noise from getting outside? Say you have the walls framed with 2x4's and covered with 5/8" drywall. There is no insulation,. Most of noise is going through the ceiling, which you can drywall with 5/8". Any tips on how to do this ceiling to make it more effective? Should one use insulation?

Possible Solutions:

Installing insulation will help much better than just a dead air space. To get the max amount of soundproofing through your ceiling, you need either density or separation. 5/8-inch sheetrock can help, but not very much if it is attached directly to the floor framing above. Remember: sheetrock acts just like a drum, transmitting all noise directly through the framing.
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A better solution (and easier than ceiling installation) would be to use a suspended ceiling with fiberglass insulation above it.
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Used egg-crate type foam, check upholstery shop, also work. Glue these sheets to the walls and ceiling.
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In general what stops sound is mass. Fiberglass insulation does not sound-proof all that much, but it does reduce echo. Mounting sheetrock to resilient channels and then putting a suspended ceiling below is an excellent soundproofing method. Putting up three thicknesses of drywall on the ceiling may do just as much. Covering the walls and ceiling with carpet will reduce the echo. Don't worry too much about the basement walls transmitting sound, especially if they are 8" concrete, unless there are windows. Heavy materials like lead and concrete are the best sound deadening materials because they are very massive. Make sure doors have weather-stripping all around, or else noise will escape anywhere there is air leakage.