Author: Rory W Date Posted:4 March 2022
There are a few important things to consider when you are thinking about buying a drum kit, they all look largely the same, and to the untrained eye, it can be difficult to know what to look for. So, here are some common mistakes people make when buying a drum kit, and some important things you might like to consider before you buy.
Whe
n buying a drum kit the first things you should consider are the floor space, the volume and your playing environment. Some people don’t realise just how loud drums can get, and don’t realise the extent they can reverberate through walls and into other areas of buildings/houses. It’s a good idea to consider some DIY sound-proofing options; acoustic foam is quite affordable and can go a long way in helping to dampen drum sounds. Electronic drum kits are very convenient for lower volume practice, they take up much less floor space and can usually be folded away after use. They are much more quiet than acoustic kits and practising using headphones or adjusting volume settings is a great option to have when you start learning. However, practising on an electric kit isn’t silent – the sticks will still make noise when hitting the pads!
Buying your first drum kit doesn’t need to break the bank. There are plenty of affordable options for both acoustic and electric drum kits, however, you should consider how much you need to spend before you buy the top-end gear. A cheap acoustic kit will usually cost less than a cheap electric kit, and starting on a cheaper acoustic kit can allow you plenty of options for modification moving forward. Cheap electric kits will often feature switches or triggers instead of a kick pedal with a beater, and some realistic features like this can be important when learning. However, electric kits can have built-in learning tools, as well as downloadable patches and settings that an acoustic kit can’t replicate, giving you much more flexibility in your sound.
Many people dive in and buy more than they need as a beginner, so ask yourself, “what do I want from this drum kit?”. You can learn a lot on a cheap acoustic kit, and you can always upgrade parts or invest in add-ons. A more affordable electric kit can give you massive versatility in available sounds and will probably include a metronome and other useful play-along features. Rather than buying top-end gear, consider how much you need to spend, and how soon you are likely to have to make further purchases, and then find the most suitable kit within your budget.
Acoustic drum kits 
are generally constructed from metal and wood, and these instruments are usually very durable if looked after well. There are limitless options for how you can arrange and customise your acoustic kit, but you should be aware that acoustic kits will have more breakables. Cymbals can crack, drum skins will degrade, and sticks break much more frequently on an acoustic kit. Electric kits are certainly not indestructible, you’re less likely to break the rubber pads or hardware but you still need to play with care. They also give you the option to assign different sounds to pads or use features like MIDI or direct recording, which would simply not be an option on an acoustic kit. For those programming drums at home who are looking for a great recording option, an electric kit could be the better choice for you.
Most acoustic kits will last decades if treated correctly and are capable of a variety of tones
. It is often overlooked that drums should be tuned and maintained to ensure they perform well, just like a guitar, and if you want the best from your drum kit you should take good care of it. There are protective bags and cases available for most acoustic drum sizes, along with cymbal and hardware bags, and these can help keep your kit in good shape when you’re moving it around. It is vital that when you receive a new drum kit you tune it to get the best sound and longest lifespan. Similarly, it is important to explore the settings on a brand new electric kit to figure out what works best for your playing style. With an electric kit, it's always best to ensure cables are well maintained and organised to increase the lifespan of your kit, and when you finish practising you can fold these down to store them conveniently.
Playing the drums looks natural and expressive, but it takes learning the rudiments and basics to be able to play like Animal! Don’t get disheartened; be patient and make sure you’re practising effectively. Playing the drums involves full-body coordination and it will take time to train your brain and develop muscle memory like the pros – it is not as easy as it looks! Some people respond better to learning one-on-one with a drum teacher, and others find they can pick up techniques by simply watching. There is a massive bank of instructional videos on sites like YouTube, and drum teachers can be found all over the world. Find a practice regime that works for you, and persevere!
There are some common problems and limitations to be aware of when learning how to play on an electric kit. For example, electric kits don’t provide the same physical response when hit, and depending on the kit they may not have much dynamic variation when hit harder or softer. This is massively important, and as a result many players end up hitting way too hard to try and achieve a bigger sound while unaware that the velocity is already set at full. Through dampening your acoustic drums with soft fabric inside or adding tape to the heads, you can affect the tone you get from them. Elements like this dampening, choking a note using your stick or half-opening a hi-hat are vital techniques to the performing drummer, and can be missed when using a more basic electronic kit. You may sound great on your electric kit, but on an acoustic, you’ll notice many overtones and minor sounds like pedals clamping that are simply not part of the electric kit experience. There are valuable techniques surrounding the tonality and dynamics of playing, and if you are going to be playing live or with a band, you may have to adjust your playing style to fit in. Make sure you explore all the sensitivity and velocity settings on your electric kit, as this can be a great way to stay on top of your technique!
Playing the drums is bloody cool, everybody thinks so, but whether you’re a budding rock star or a bedroom beater you should be enjoying yourself when you sit down to play. If you’re finding your drum practice is becoming a chore, there may be ways to make it more engaging. Many electric kits have practice drills programmed in, and most will allow you to play along to your favourite songs, a metronome or inbuilt practice tracks. What inspires you to play the drums? Whatever your answer, draw from that. If you ever get stuck, try listening to a style of music you normally wouldn’t enjoy and pick out something that the drummer is doing, then try learning that technique. There are thousands of instructional videos on sites like Youtube, and there are forums filled with like-minded individuals discussing their favourite things about drums. Whether you’re 7 or 70, playing the acoustic or electric drums, there is something out there that made you pick up those sticks – don’t lose sight of whatever that was!
Buy the right kit for your needs, electric or acoustic.
Don’t waste money! Start small, you can always upgrade later
You may need to purchase accessories, know the limits of your equipment
Take good care of your drums and tune them to get the most out of them!
Be patient, you will have to practice frequently and effectively to see your skills improve.
Take the time to learn proper techniques for what you are trying to achieve, don't forget there are many ways to change your drum sound beyond how hard you hit the skins.
Keep things engaging, persevere and don’t lose sight of your inspiration!
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