Chris Suyeda

I've always had the fascination and interest in playing the drums, but never really picked it up.

For those of you who currently play drums, what set would you recommend me? I'm not really looking for a beginner's set (if there is such a thing), because I plan on playing for quite some time and would rather not have to sell my basic set for an upgrade or whatever. I've quite alot of spending money, so cash isn't really an issue, though I wouldn't really like to pay an extreme amount of money for one. Oh, I should mention that a friend of mine of Goodbye Tomorrow is offering to sell me his DW custom shop, the kick (22x18), 2 toms (10x9, and 14x14), and the snare(14x5) for $800. Think I should go with that? Or purchase a beginners set of some sort and then upgrade as I go along?

Also, how hard was it to learn how to play drums? Something you can practice and master or is it something you just have a natural talent for?

Thanks in advance.

 

hvc

I guess, all i can suggest, is that you play different drum brands. every company's drums will sound differently. Find a company you like the sound of, that their drums are the tone you want. from there, set out your cash limits, just don't go in there saying, what can i get for $800? becuase they'll give you the shittiest set lol. Just know your budget, research the stuff, go in there, purchase the kit as a whole, and as you get better, upgrade things as you go along. that's what i would reccommend for beggining.

Not sure if any of that makes sense, but I tried my best. aha.
good luck.

Thom Yorke

DW does make some nice drums, and that deal sounds pretty good if you ask me. I would play them first and then play something like a Tama or Pearl set that is around the same price and see what you like better though. Also you want to make sure that all of the hardware is included if you buy them from your friend.

Chris Suyeda

Thanks for the input guys.

I decided not to purchase my friends setup and decided to sign up for lessons once I get some free time from work, school, and school work. After a period of time of lessons, I'll go from there, seeing if I am even capable of playing the drums. If I am, I'll browse through stores and try out any sets available (along with any sets my friends have).

I'll let you know what I decide to go with.

MusicMan

I think that's a smart choice. Taking some lessons will definitely let you see if you've got what it takes to stick with drums. Drumming is a very tough thing to learn, and I've seen a lot of people give up on it. But having a good teacher will help you discover what hidden talent you may have. If you find yourself enjoying it and feel that you're interested in continuing to learn drums in the years to come, you'll buy a set and know that you won't end up selling it a few months later.

I hope your lessons go well, keep us updated as to what you're learning and how much fun you're having.

dex

My only issue with Pearl drums is the tom mounts. Personally I like my rack toms angled towards me, as close as possible without touching each other. That's just not possible with Pearl's L-shaped tom arms.

PLEASE(!) don't give up after 3 lessons! Everyone sucks at drums at first, but everyone has the potential to get reasonably good through practice.

Welcome to drumming!

NYDrummer

for the price and quality, i would go with sonor's force 3005/3007 series. you just can't beat the quality and the sound. I myself have the 3001 set, and love it. it's only a matter of time before I upgrade to the newer series!

__________________
www.conflictinthesky.com
www.sellaband.com/conflictinthesky

dex

Quoted for truth. Sonor makes some solid stuff.

Mongo97

At least for the very early stages, it depends on how good you are at seperating movements to have all 4 limbs working seperately. The usual instinct is to have right hand and foot moving at the same time, or left hand and foot moving at the same time.

Like any instrument, you can practice and master it. If you just have a natural talent for it, you'll pick it up faster, of course, but any instrument can be learned if you put the time and effort in to it.

NYDrummer

mongo is right on the money. your body tends to act in sync with opposite limbs, either hitting at the same time or alternating in between. for some it's a natural progression, for others, it's a little more difficult.

here's a little tip you can try...i used to do this when i first started learning, approx. 15 years ago. and NO...I'm not that OLD! LOL

Everyone air drums, so try that out and mimic what the drummer is doing. The key is this, listen to a song around 5-10 times. the first and last time, listen to the song in it's entirety, listening to it as a whole. The 2nd and 3rd time, and everytime thereafter, only listen to the hi-hats, then next, the snare, then next the kick, each time listening to a different percussion instrument. what you want to do is be able to identify and tap out the timing of each individual sound, then finally bring it all together. Mimic the drummer's playing as if you we're playing by air drumming, it'll loosen your limbs and allow your mind to visualize the drums and slowly allow all your limbs to work independently of each other.

did i loose you yet? i think i lost myself.

__________________
www.conflictinthesky.com
www.sellaband.com/conflictinthesky

Amanda

yeah.. i love to play drums.. need help.. any ideas on how to? i really love it

Flights of Fusion

Amanda,
A good teacher can make all the difference in the world. And after 30 years of playing,(ya, I guess I'm a little old) I am so appreciative. It can be quite a bit mundane starting out with learning rudiments, syncopation etc. but if you plan on keeping with it for lifetime therapy It will be well worth it in the end to learn the rules first.

Best of luck,
Kyle

dex

What styles of music do you want to play?

ginger-bassist

personally, i didnt find the drums all that difficult to pick up, but as much as everyone thought the teacher i have isnt all that good, i think he's great. so a good tutor is obviously important, ive been to a few guys that have high grades and qualifications, but the guy ive got just now has proper rock band experience, so actually knows what to do.

dont be put of if you cant do all the cool things right away, i still cant do a loooot of the cool things, after playing for 3 years, i still have trouble getting the bass drum off beat from the hi hat, mainly because im left footed.

i dont know much about equipment, ive got a gear4music own brand kit, as much as its loud, it needs parts upgraded, but it does me for practicing...sometimes ¬_¬

the best kit ive played so far is an older pearl export. sounds good, but then again the skins are really good.

and back to the subject, if you dont get a kit right away, what i done was a sit and used my hands, and played on my knees, or the edge of a desk or something like that, i've practised more like that than on my drumkit.

when getting the kit, make sure it is what you want, theres rock kits and fusion kits, fusion kits are a hell of a lot smaller than rock kits, but rock kits are the normal size, things like stools, cymbals, etc. make sure you get them aswell, and the cymbals sound good, i was rather annoyed when my hi hat sounded like bashing tin cans together...

dex

Ahem. Thrones.

ginger-bassist

<.< >.>

i knew there was a better name than stools, but i couldnt think, better than calling it the drum seat i think though

__________________
Bass - Yamaha rbx 375

dex

Agreed.