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TheGazzardian View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Beginner Drum kit tips
    Posted: April 13 2010 at 15:38
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I'm looking to buy a drum kit in the near future so that I can start learning drums. Admittedly, I have not really drummed before, but I've wanted to try learning for some time.  Since I am new to the instrument, and don't know for certain that I will like it, I'm looking to buy a drum kit that's not too expensive, and thinking of looking at the local classifieds for a used kit to save money and hopefully find a bargain.

However, buying used can easily lead to getting burned, so I was curious:
1) For a starter, is their a specific configuration that is recommended?
2) Are there any major "gotcha's" you can check for when buying a drum kit?
3) Are there any brands that should be avoided?

Since I am, as I said, basically just getting these to learn and not aiming at taking them to concerts/whatever, I'm sure that there's nothing really major to watch out for but just want to make sure that I am at least somewhat knowledgeable. So any tips at all would be appreciated :)

Thanks!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2010 at 16:16
I don't play for years so I'm outdated in brands, but I atarted with a basic Yamaha kit:
 
1 Bass drum
1 Tom
1 Floor Tom (we call it Napoleon in Spanish)
1 Snare drum
1 Crash Ride Cymbal
1 High hat Cymbal
 
It was enough for a long time, enough drums to make complex patterns and not to big that you can't control it.
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2010 at 17:44
My brother started out drumming on a particular living room chair before he got his first kit.  Can't say that I'd recommend doing that. LOL
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2010 at 05:00
I started on cardboard boxes and cut down bamboo canes for sticks! To this day, I thank Clive Burr of Iron Maiden and Philthy Phil Taylor from Motorhead for being my inspiration..!

My first kit was an old second hand Pearl five piece, plus two cymbals.

If you're starting out, dont get hung up on brand. When you go to check the kit over before buying look first at the state of the shells. Check for obvious warps and cracks. Knackered skins can obviously be replaced. Dont spend too much money, and go for a basic kit; Bass drum, snare drum, a couple of mounted toms, maybe a floor tom too, Hi hats, one crash cymbal, and one ride cymbal.

Oh, and I would advise you to have lessons. I decided to teach myself by listeing to my old heavy metal records, and can vouch for this not being a great approach to learning. Bill Bruford claims he learnt in a similar way, but unless you have a natural affinity for any instrument, you'll eventually reach a plateau, from which you'll be unable to improve, without specific tuition in techniques, and being given exercises to complete and goals to aim for. Practice for a good hour each day. If you start upsetting your neighbours, you may want to think about investing in an electronic kit. I can reccomend numerous modeals by Roland, but they aint cheap.
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TheGazzardian View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2010 at 10:25
Thanks for all the tips!

I am probably going to take lessons - and buy a book for practising from, although perhaps not until a couple weeks after I pick up a kit.

Here's one that we're looking at right now:


Any thoughts?


Edited by TheGazzardian - April 14 2010 at 10:26
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Blacksword View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2010 at 11:19
Originally posted by TheGazzardian TheGazzardian wrote:

<div style=": rgb255, 255, 255; margin-left: 1px; margin-top: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb0, 0, 0; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; ">Thanks for all the tips!
I am probably going to take lessons - and buy a book for practising from, although perhaps not until a couple weeks after I pick up a kit.
Here's one that we're looking at right now:
Any thoughts?





That looks like a nice kit. More than enough cymbals, and it's as good as new by the sound of it. I think $600 (Canadian) is pretty good, that's about £300 in Sterling, I guess, so yes I think it's a bit of a bargain. For starting out, I wouldn't fork out much more than that. Depends what you can afford of course.

Happy drumming, sir!
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TheGazzardian View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 15 2010 at 18:15
Someone beat us to it - we're going to have to keep looking.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 16 2010 at 04:20
Never mind. Something will turn up. You never know, you find something even better within your price range.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 16 2010 at 07:37
And remember - even the greats started out small...

A certain young man started with this:



Before going on to this:



Most of all - enjoy!

Jon Lord 1941 - 2012
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TheGazzardian View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2010 at 21:50
Haha ... I don't think I'll ever need a kit as big as Neil's o.O

I am enjoying. We found a kit that was pretty good ... 3 toms + hi hat + bass, + 4 cymbals (ride, crash, splash, ride/crash) and even a cowbell! I've been going through the book that came with it pretty quick, it's a ton of fun. Westbury drums.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 21 2010 at 22:53

If the performance is really advanced, the practice of the base and the practice of the repetition of it are very important. And, the existence of the metronome might be also important.

I mimicked Kit that a favorite drum player used. "Yamaha" and "Pearl" are general in Japan where I live. And, "Zildjian" and "Paiste" are often combined.

The characteristic is different according to each manufacturer. It is very expensive though "Sonar" and "DW" that the professional uses are good drums.

Various drums will be tried by the performed genre. By the way, I like Bill Bruford and Chad Wackerman. There are cymbals of which power goes out with cymbals and cymbals that emit the sound of the delicacy. "Dry Ride" of Paiste that Bill Bruford uses emits the sound of the delicacy. Or, the drum player who uses Zildjian is well informed of the characteristic of "K" and "A". "Signature" of Paiste emits a very beautiful sound. Therefore, often, the musician who performs Jazz keeps it at a distance. "2002" of Paiste might be united cymbals.

If it is a general drum, Pearl and Yamaha might be good. If the drum is played, it is enough because the market price of the price is decided compared it.

The drum never performs the melody. (There is a method of the electronic percussion and the tuning to be exact. )

Practices of the base are four rhythms, eight rhythms, three rhythms, and 16 rhythms. The practice of the wrist is very important. If the metronome is used, it might be better. It is possible to shift there to the practice of Rudiments.

It is recommended to perform with other musical instruments as a very important practice method. It is important that own performance is suitable for other musical instruments. And, own performance is recommended to be recorded. Own good part and a bad part can be understood.

Kit for the practice can be bought if there is no money to actually buy the drum. Head is a part only of Top. The material of Head consists of rubber. Therefore, there is no repercussion when the top head is hit. It is one of the good practices because it strengthens the wrist. Strengthening the ankle to strike Bass Drum is also important. Performance that raises heel. Or, the performance that puts up the heel to Pedal is various depending on the player. However, the power of the sound is united overall and performing is important. A fast tempo is not necessary. The repetition and the experience are natural and are bodies in the body. And, it is likely to be able to perform unconsciously.

The possibility of the practice and the individuality of Kit are infinities.

 

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