Drum players, advice needed!

[GraceIsGone40]

So after much thought, I am interested in learning to play drums, but I really have no idea where to start - purchasing a kit, what to look for, etc.

So can anyone recommend a good, relatively inexpensive kit to start off with (budget of maybe $800 - $1000). I'm specifically looking for a more percussive sound, rather than a traditional "rock" style - in order words, a kind of "Say Goodbye" percussive style. So if you could keep that in might when suggesting equipment, that would be great.

What all do I need? And where should I begin? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[RushianSyrinx]

Any of the name brands will do - Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Mapex,etc. Personally, I'm a fan of Tama or Yamaha due to their tom arms being easier to manipulate. Just about everything in that price range is gonna be the same, so just go see what kind of deal you can get.

[GraceIsGone40]

Any of the name brands will do - Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Mapex,etc. Personally, I'm a fan of Tama or Yamaha due to their tom arms being easier to manipulate. Just about everything in that price range is gonna be the same, so just go see what kind of deal you can get.

Great, thanks. I really am new to anything drums, so care to elaborate on the different kinds of drums / cymbals, and which ones I should be looking to get? Again, I know nothing. Thanks!

[pig494]

I started out with a Pearl Forum but I think Tama puts out a very good starter set. It will give you a good enough set at a decent price to know if you will want to stick with it.

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tama-Imperialstar-5Piece-Standard-Drum-Set-with-Cymbals-and-Free-12-China?sku=491127

I assume the cymbals that come with it are just made by Tama and will dent up quickly and not sound that great, but if your willing to spend a little extra cash I would suggest getting this cymbal pack. The cymbals are fairly entry level but will give a much better sound and feel than what comes with the kit.

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Zildjian-ZXT-Rock-4Piece-Box-Set?sku=443914


As you continue to play you will need new heads fairly quickly and will probably want to eventually upgrade hardware .
When it comes to Say Goodbye type of sound, that all has to do with sticks used, the rhythm played, and him not having the snares not being tight on the drum.
Good Luck! Let us know what happens

[evjens]

Great, thanks. I really am new to anything drums, so care to elaborate on the different kinds of drums / cymbals, and which ones I should be looking to get? Again, I know nothing. Thanks!

in my opinion, a yamaha or pearl would be solid as a first set. any cymbal pack would be good too with just the basics - crash, ride, hi-hats. i'm pretty sure sabian and zildjian have fairly priced cymbal packs that are decent.

also, this is just preference for me at least, but i just buy evans heads and put those on instead of the ones that come with the set itself.

good luck with your search!

[RushianSyrinx]

The Say Goodbye sound is achieved simply by turning the snare mechanism off.

As far as cymbals go, you're best bet is some type of cymbal pack. As far as the link provided, that's actually a pretty decent deal. Might also be worth a trip to a local music store. And by local music store, I don't mean Guitar Center.

[ajgdrums7814]

Keep an eye out for used gear. You can usually find some great deals on stuff that isn't worn out at all. Plus, no need to go all out for your first set. I started with a late 80s Pearl Export. Did the job for a long time.

[GraceIsGone40]

Thanks so much, everyone, for the helpful responses. I've been using the diagram of Carter's kit (from dmband.com) as a reference, although I'm sure I don't need nearly everything he has (not to mention it would be ridiculously expensive).

Is just a standard -5 piece set fine, or do I really need the 5 different toms like Carter has? And as far as cymbals go, can anyone explain the difference between the various kinds? I hear crash, ride, splash, china, hi-hat, etc., but have no clue what that means, or which ones I need.

And does it matter the size dimensions of the drums / cymbals?

I am hoping to get a bunch of the LP percussion stuff that Carter uses, as well.

Thanks again.

[akf091]

Thanks so much, everyone, for the helpful responses. I've been using the diagram of Carter's kit (from dmband.com) as a reference, although I'm sure I don't need nearly everything he has (not to mention it would be ridiculously expensive).

Is just a standard -5 piece set fine, or do I really need the 5 different toms like Carter has? And as far as cymbals go, can anyone explain the difference between the various kinds? I hear crash, ride, splash, china, hi-hat, etc., but have no clue what that means, or which ones I need.

And does it matter the size dimensions of the drums / cymbals?

I am hoping to get a bunch of the LP percussion stuff that Carter uses, as well.

Thanks again.
In terms of buying a set a 5 piece is perfect and i dont think theres a better set for its price than the yamaha stage customs....theyre in the 800 dollar range are really durable and sound great. As far as cymbals go for a beginner you dont really need anything more than a ride a crash and a hi hat im very partial to zildjians but you wont really know what you want until you go and hear them for yourself.

[pig494]

To begin with, I would definitely lay off the idea of more than 3 toms, and more than a crash, a ride, and hi hats. LP percussion stuff is great to use but won't be useful until you are used to jamming and grooving. I stick with my suggestions above for an entry level kit and cymbals. If you decide you really like drumming and you start learning the ropes you can upgrade from there. Once you get into it you will figure out what is quality and what styles you prefer. Lessons will definitely help as well!

I started out with a $600 Pearl Forum pack and learned everything from there and it suited me just fine. I now play a 6 piece $4,000-$5,0000 Mapex saturn kit with high end cymbals and hardware. It is just a matter of falling in love with the instrument. I hope the best of luck to you!

[GraceIsGone40]

To begin with, I would definitely lay off the idea of more than 3 toms, and more than a crash, a ride, and hi hats. LP percussion stuff is great to use but won't be useful until you are used to jamming and grooving. I stick with my suggestions above for an entry level kit and cymbals. If you decide you really like drumming and you start learning the ropes you can upgrade from there. Once you get into it you will figure out what is quality and what styles you prefer. Lessons will definitely help as well!

I started out with a $600 Pearl Forum pack and learned everything from there and it suited me just fine. I now play a 6 piece $4,000-$5,0000 Mapex saturn kit with high end cymbals and hardware. It is just a matter of falling in love with the instrument. I hope the best of luck to you!

Thanks!

I think I'm going to start with a Yamaha Stage Custom set, with a semi-decent cymbal pack, and just start by mastering the snare, hi-hat and bass drum. And then I'll see how things go from there. I'll have to look into lessons, as my efforts to self-teach the guitar were relatively fruitless. Right now I live in nyc, so I'm sure I can find some place for lessons.

Thanks again.

EDIT: I'm left-handed, btw. But I think I'm going to force myself to start playing right handed, and eventually work in both hands well.

[pig494]

Thanks!

I think I'm going to start with a Yamaha Stage Custom set, with a semi-decent cymbal pack, and just start by mastering the snare, hi-hat and bass drum. And then I'll see how things go from there. I'll have to look into lessons, as my efforts to self-teach the guitar were relatively fruitless. Right now I live in nyc, so I'm sure I can find some place for lessons.

Thanks again.

EDIT: I'm left-handed, btw. But I think I'm going to force myself to start playing right handed, and eventually work in both hands well.

Your welcome. Can't go wrong with the Stage Custom. It is a great set that should last you a while. I think getting a decent cymbal set is a great idea too. Starting with the snare and learning/practicing hard at rudiments is a great idea too. It is one thing I never did much because i mainly started out playing just kit. It will help big time in the future when it comes to fills and such. Snare work is certainly the weakest part of my playing.

When it comes to Left or Right hand playing, I would start with what is comfortable and make the switch when necessary or not at all. There are many respectable drummers that play left. If you get a teacher he/she will definitely help in that..... Carter's style is very unique and not all can play true openhandedness as smooth as him. I once had dreams of doing it too but it all depends on figuring out your own style.

Again, Best of Luck. Hope all goes well

[GraceIsGone40]

One last question...any drum head recommendations? I hear this talk about Evans and Remo, what's the difference between the two?

[RushianSyrinx]

One last question...any drum head recommendations? I hear this talk about Evans and Remo, what's the difference between the two?

Eh, at this stage of the game, just find a prepack that matches up and go with it. You're just looking to make a "pleasant sound" out of your things you hit with sticks. Anything is better than the stock heads.

As far as size of drum kit... if you can't play well on a 3 piece, what makes you think you can play well on a 33 piece? That's what I tell all of my students who want or talk about giant drum sets.

Learn your rudiments and learn them slow. If you can't do it slow, you ain't gonna be able to do it fast.

Drummerworld.com - watch some of the videos there. Vicfirth.com as well. Dom Famularo videos are great for inspiring and showing some basic technique.

Take lessons - learn to read. A drummer who can't read music is a waste of space.

Where are you located?

[GraceIsGone40]

Right now I'm in nyc, so I don't think finding a good place for lessons will be difficult. Happen to know of anything near me?

[Mr_Walkaway]

If this is still relevant, Mapex makes some very good low-priced kits. In the $600-700 range, their Pro M series is better built than most of the other guys' intro kits. Once you're willing to spend more, really all the brands make good kits, they're just different in terms of hardware, design, tone and timbre. On the other hand, you could probably find a good set of old Ludwig superclassics or Pearl exports for that price too, if you're willing to put a bit of money into re-heading them and possibly replacing some hardware here and there.

[RushianSyrinx]

Well, I live in North NJ and if you're willing to travel up to 90 minutes or so for a good deal, then I can recommend some places. Including one that has 3.5% sales tax.

[akf091]

One last question...any drum head recommendations? I hear this talk about Evans and Remo, what's the difference between the two?
I think for a snare head there is nothing better than a remo coated ambassador...for toms a use remo ebony pin stripes but to each there own...and for a bass head i love the aquarian super kick 2

[GraceIsGone40]

Well, I live in North NJ and if you're willing to travel up to 90 minutes or so for a good deal, then I can recommend some places. Including one that has 3.5% sales tax.

North Jersey? Where abouts? In about 3 months I'm moving to North Jersey, a little town called Sparta, in Sussex County. If you know of anything near there, let me know. Thanks.

[RushianSyrinx]

Really? In that case, wait till you move to NJ. I live about 30 minutes or so from Sparta and I'd be willing to assist you and perhaps teach.

[GraceIsGone40]

Really? In that case, wait till you move to NJ. I live about 30 minutes or so from Sparta and I'd be willing to assist you and perhaps teach.

Awesome. Thanks, man, for your help. I really appreciate it. Yeah, when I get settled in up there I'll reach out to you. I could definitely use the guidance in getting started.

[DMBVIP]

Yamaha stage custom, very nice choice

[Friple118]

IDK if its to late or not you mightve bought your stuff already but, put most of your money into the heads and cymbals, you can always tune a drum to sound decent (im not sure what kind of wood the stage custom is made out but my school owns a set and they're alright), but there is a big difference between some crap cymbal the drum company sends you with the set and an A or K

[RushianSyrinx]

First of all, a set of heads might run you 100 bucks tops. Secondly, if you buy a shitty set, good heads aren't going to make a shitty set sound good. Cymbals you can get by with lesser quality for now and build up.

[BeaufordBuddy]

If this is still relevant, Mapex makes some very good low-priced kits. In the $600-700 range, their Pro M series is better built than most of the other guys' intro kits. Once you're willing to spend more, really all the brands make good kits, they're just different in terms of hardware, design, tone and timbre. On the other hand, you could probably find a good set of old Ludwig superclassics or Pearl exports for that price too, if you're willing to put a bit of money into re-heading them and possibly replacing some hardware here and there.


Yes, I've been really impressed with the sound of Mapex's entry level kits. They have a good pitch and a real warm resonant sound.

My first kit was a Stage Custom 5-piece. I immediately replaced the heads they came with because they were garbage. The drums sounded alright but nothing like my buddy's kit which was a Mapex Venus Voyager set.

[Bohrman26]

My first kit was a Tama Rock Star. Really gave me a great sense of what sound I wanted from my drums.

As for purchasing the set, I would not purchase your first kit online. Go to a website and find a low price, go to a local music store and try to have them match it. They will tell you they can't go that low (sometimes) but they can come close. This way if something goes wrong or you have any questions you can just go straight back to where you bought it and talk to them face to face instead of calling a customer service number and dealing with a problem over the phone.

Most everyone has really hit it on the head with the cymbal package. Definitely agree it's the way to go.

As for heads, just stick with the ones that will come with the kit. There's no reason to start off with Evans or Remos or anything like that.

I actually taught myself to play on the kit, so don't fret if you can't find lessons, you can still learn to play and become pretty good. While you may not know technical terms and stuff, you'll be able to play just as good if not better than those with lessons under their belt.

Good luck and have fun. Learning the drums is great and when you get comfortable and really start exploring it's a ton of fun!

[RushianSyrinx]

Just remember that while you can learn to play on your own, you may well be missing out on vital parts of instruction, especially relating to usage of muscles, movement and more.

Either way, I'm going to help this guy when he moves to NJ in a few months. There's some good local shops where he's moving to and some really nice places. I've run into Chris Pennie (Dillinger, Coheed) a few times at one of the shops.