lindsayrae
Tiger Talk Trainee
Reged: Dec 23 2003
Posts: 1
Loc: Washington
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Hi All-
I've recently decided that I want to learn how to play the drums and I could use some advice on pretty much everything. What is a good drum set for a beginner? Are there any books or videos that are good for starting out or should I just go with private lessons? Any general advice from anyone about starting out? Anything you guys have would be helpful!
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wildrick
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Feb 04 2003
Posts: 813
Loc: USA
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Hello, and welcome to the forum and our happy little world of "hitting stuff"!
The best advice I can give at this point is to get linked up with a good drum teacher in your area. Many music stores offer lesson programs where the sessions are one-on-one with the teacher. If the stores DON'T offer lessons, many times the people there will still know of someone in the area who DOES teach.
In the meantime, I also suggest reading through the tons of material that Tiger has posted right here on his website.
Most of all, HAVE FUN! It's going to be difficult at times, but that happens to everyone when we start off doing something new, right?
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Ratamatatt
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Jul 02 2003
Posts: 2236
Loc: Arrakis
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quote:
Originally posted by lindsayrae:
Hi All-
I've recently decided that I want to learn how to play the drums and I could use some advice on pretty much everything. What is a good drum set for a beginner? Are there any books or videos that are good for starting out or should I just go with private lessons? Any general advice from anyone about starting out? Anything you guys have would be helpful!
As for drumsets, stay away from junk/toy sets they are a waste of money in every respect, except to make a child happy for a few minutes after getting one.
If you are serious about giving drumming some degree of dedication there are basically 3 levels of kits made by the name brand drum makers: professional, mid-level and entry-level. Pearl, Tama, Mapex and Yamaha are probably the best selling name brand drums. You can't go wrong with any of these entry entry level kits. They are all good quality and will potentially last a lifetime if you take care of them. Other well known companies that make great drums are Gretsch, Fibes, Sonor, DW (Drum Workshop), and several others. These companies make very high end, expensive drums as well as mid and entry level drums.
IMHO, the best value out there right now is the entry level Sonor series called Force 3001 ($599), 2001 ($499), 1001 ($399). This price includes all the hardware and stands that you will need. It doesn't include cymbals. This series was just discontinued for the 3003, 2003, 1002 series which has slightly improved hardware and more choices of finishes. The 3001 originally listed for about $1,300 (which translates to a retail price of about $800 - be advised that the TRUE retail price of drums is generally about %55-60% of the manufacturers "list" price which is nothing but fiction. If you don't know that, a retailer ain't gonna tell you.).
A large instrument distributor called Interstate Music still has some 3001's. Even if you don't buy from Interstate, get their catologue which helps to keep local shops honest. The prices on the Force 3001, etc. are from Interstate's latest catalogue.
In any event, if you buy a name brand kit, and you decide drumming isn't for you, you can always sell it on Ebay and get some (if not most) of your money back.
As for learning to play, take some time and seek out a well qualified teacher. You can spend years re-inventing the wheel and learning bad habits, or you can find a teacher to give you direction. Try going to a the music school of a local college and asking about taking private lessons from one of the percussion instructors. If it is a community college it may be cheaper to enroll and pay tuition and take lessons for credit than to pay for private lessons. However, a college instructor may require a more comprehensive approach to music and not just concentrate on drum set, which may, or may not, be what you want at this point. There are also great teachers at local drum shops who may be more willing to concentrate only on drumset.
No matter where you look for a teacher, be prepared to do some legwork. Ask around. Speak to a prospective teacher's students. Ask for a teacher's credentials. Formal music training is great, but, you may find that a great teacher and player doesn't necessarily have any formal training him/herself, so don't let that be an excluding factor. I would take lessons from at least 3 or 4 to start and tell them that you are trying out several teachers and want to take a single lesson to see how you like them.
I hope this helps.
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Ross Yaple
Tiger Talk Trainee
Reged: Dec 23 2003
Posts: 4
Loc: New York
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Hey Lindsayrae,
Looks like you joined Tiger Bill's just ahead of me. Anyway, I would recommend that you start by taking some lessons first. The first place to look for instruction would be your local school music program, if you are still in school. This is usually the least expensive way to get instruction from someone who has a degree in music education. If the teacher at your school is not well versed in playing a drumset, they will normally be able to point you in the right direction for private lessons. Usually this is a local music store that not only sells the drumsets, but offers instruction as well.
Another source to check would be your local yellow pages under instrumental music instruction.
Make a few calls to see first if they are taking on any new students, and if so, how much they charge per session, and how long the sessions are.
Also ask who they would recommend if they are not in a position to take you on as a new student. Once you have an idea of who is available to teach you, I would schedule a single lesson with several of them to see who you work best with. The bottom line is that not all good drummers make good teachers. You want the best value for your lesson dollars. Once you've begun taking lessons seriously is the time to start considering a drumset, only because it is a sizeable investment.
I would first consider a practice set only for two reasons. One, because they start out at around $150.00, so if you decide drumming is not for you, you won't have a huge investment sitting around collecting dust. Two, because if you stick with it and get really good on the practice set, when you move to a real set, you won't be intimidated by it, and you'll be amazed at how great you sound, which will be a real confidence builder for you, and confidence is something you really want as a drummer. You'll also have had enough time to save up for that drumset you really
want instead of settling for something less.
Hey, Good Luck and Good Drumming To You!!!
Happy Holidays!!!
Ross
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TigerBill
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Mar 11 2002
Posts: 1660
Loc: NJ
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Hey lindsayrae -
Welcome to the site and to drumming. I agree with all of the advice that's been given so far. The only thing I would add is to check out my article on How to Find A Great Drumset Instructor for tips on what to look for when choosing a drumset instructor.
Have fun! ![[Cool]](/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif)
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Mouse
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Apr 08 2002
Posts: 1820
Loc: Southland New Zealand
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Wannabe a drummer, going to be a drummer, there's a difference.Make it happen.
Listen to music and listen to the drumming track.
Start with working on finding a suitable pair of sticks and learning to hold them with whatever grip you decide to use.
Start on working those wrist and ankle muscles to loosen them up in preparation to learning the drum kit.Get yourself a piece of rubber sheet to practice on.
Be patient, it won't happen overnight but it will happen if you perservere. Learn one thing at a time until you have a good grasp of it then progress on.Plenty of advice at Tiger Bill's stay tuned.
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