What Everyone Should Know About Buying Your First Drums

You’ve been putting in your time on your practice pad… or your parents have just signed you up for lessons… and now it’s time to head over to the music store and look at a new drumset. It’s super-exciting! But getting a drumset is a major commitment and it’s beneficial for beginning drummers and their parents to be informed about the choices available and exactly what they need to get started at home. It’s also important to know which questions to ask the staff at the store. You wouldn’t consider trumpet lessons without a trumpet or piano lessons without a piano… and the same goes for drums! Having a set to practice on makes progress possible, and far less frustrating for the student. This short guide to looking for a beginner drumset should take some of the mystery out of the process. The first question many people ask is, “what exactly do I even need to get?” And the answer is, that depends on your budget, what type of space you have at home for practicing, and what you’re hoping to achieve with your beginner set. There are a few different basic configurations to consider. 1. A simple, minimal kit  These are just the basics that a beginner would need to be able to start working on the necessary coordination and groove exercises. This would include at minimum: -Bass drum and bass drum pedal  -Snare drum and stand -Hihat cymbals and stand -Sticks and a drum stool This setup is great if you plan to acquire your drums from a site like craigslist.com or kijiji.com, because often individual pieces will be available separately. Some major retailers will also have individual pieces available. However it’s not likely that this minimal set will be available as a unit. 2. A 5-piece set: This is a very standard setup that will be available widely as a unit at retailers and online. It will include: -Bass drum and bass drum pedal -Snare drum and stand -3 toms and mounting hardware -Hi-hat, crash, and ride cymbals and hardware -Sticks and a drum stool (sold separately) A setup like this covers all the necessary equipment for any beginner to make great progress in any style of music. 3. An electronic kit: Electronic drums are becoming more and more popular these days due to the wide variety of sounds they can generate, and the fact that they can be practiced silently. The technology of electronic drums is extremely advanced and they are often fully professional instruments. The setup can vary based on how pads are assigned and programmed but often mimics the 5-piece set described above. Sticks and drum stool will still be sold separately. If you are considering this option it is wise to consult with retail staff. The second consideration is: Do I want to buy or rent a set? For many people, the notion of bringing a drumset into the house is a major commitment and it can be hard to decide to purchase [...]

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