Beginning Drummers

Topic(s): Drumming

Recommendations for beginning drummers

Contents 1 Starting with a snare drum 2 What to practice on your snare 3 Buying a good drum-set 4 What about cymbals? 5 Hearing Protection

[edit] Starting with a snare drum

If you are taking an interest in drumming as more than a personal hobby you should start off buying or renting a snare drum and a stand for your snare, a drum throne to sit on, and of course a good pair of drumsticks that are comfortable. If you are on a budget, buy a cheaper throne, and snare stand to save you money, so you can spend it on a snare drum.

[edit] What to practice on your snare

Try getting a private drum instructor (check with any local music stores that offer lessons) and learning rudiments as well as basic beats and fills on a kit, along with using rudiments around a drum set.

[edit] Buying a good drum-set

Now that you've got your snare and have taken lessons for a while you should buy a good entry-level kit, there are several lines of drums made for beginners on a budget. Here is a list of some of the better ones:

• Pearl FX and Export series
• Ludwig Accent series
• Tama Imperialstar
• ddrum Diablo series

Check out these links to the aforementioned company's pages for more info on these kits:

Pearl Drums

ddrum

Tama

In addition to a kit and hardware for your drums and cymbals, I also recommend I a cowbell to widen your arsenal on a drum set, and also to play along to songs, and to allow more creativity on your drum set.

[edit] What about cymbals?

Cymbals are just as important as your drums, a lot of professional drummers use A LOT of cymbals on their kits, don't spend all of your money on a set-up like this. Start with a small variety of cymbals, the following sizes are recommended:

• 13" or 14" Hi-Hats
• 16" and an 18" crash cymbal
• 20" or 22" ride cymbal
• 8", 10", or 12" splash cymbal
• 18" china cymbal

Try buying the aforementioned cymbals that are made by these four well-known companies:

Zildjian

Sabian

Paiste

Meinl

[edit] Hearing Protection

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BUY HEARING PROTECTION! IF YOU DO NOT YOU ARE AT RISK OF LOSING YOUR ABILITY TO HEAR, OR OF DAMAGING YOUR HEARING!!!

And don't forget! Practice A LOT, at least 30 minutes a day! (With an occasional day off once a week, if you want.)

• On a short note, find some music to play along to that you like, and ask your drum teacher what is best to play along to at a beginner level.

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