Percussion Instruments

Percussion instrument, any musical instrument belonging to either of two groups, idiophones or membranophones.

I’d start with lessons with a teacher for a few months so you don’t get bad habits ingrained. Gear wise you can save big bucks by buying used of course. I’d prioritize getting the best cymbals you can afford since they can really make or break the sound of a kit. I started on drums a couple years ago and have been impressed with how much of a coordination hump there is to get over in the beginning, and how much skill it takes for your playing to sound musical. Drums is not an easy instrument. My favorite players are Bernard Purdie, Jeff Porcaro, and John Bonham.

Hi, Kaw (and all)

I just took the plunge and decided to try drums as part of my bucket list. For anybody who doesn’t have a drum kit yet, I’d like to recommend highly an electronic set. Your drum kit will be able to teach you how to play the drums!

I found the Alesis nitro Max on sale at Guitar Center for just under $400, and it is definitely worth the money. The practice rhythms take you through very basic to more complicated steps in a very logical and easy-to-follow progression without anybody else watching, which is a wonderful thing for a fairly shy person like me.

Disadvantages of going electronic are that you don’t actually make drum sounds, so you would need a speaker system if you ever wanted to use it to perform.

Advantages are that you don’t actually make drum sounds, so if you have roommates or family members you can practice without disrupting the household. The sounds I hear in my headphones, though, are so good that I forget that I’m not making noise. The kit is also very compact, so it’s it’s in a corner of my bedroom which makes me much more likely to play it often.

There’s a lot of stuff available on the module that I have no idea what to do with yet. But I have to say that I am very, very satisfied with everything I’ve been able to do with this so far.

Just my two cents,
Love, 02

I have always had trouble playing a lefty set...

The goal is not to learn to play a lefty set, it's to learn to play a righty set the way a lefty drummer does, except fully Open Handed.

You're right that being able to switch back and forth without thinking about it is the goal. My point is just that it's easier to get there if a drummer starts with Open Handed and later learns Cross Handed instead of vice versa.

Kawhill, one more thing I can't believe I missed.

I can't recommend enough that you learn to read sheet music. It will shorten your learning times and expand your abilities. It will help you isolate and correct weaknesses. Down the road it will allow you to play anything if you have the sheet music.

Drummers with a limited repertoire aren't limited because they don't know things, they're limited because they've trapped themselves to where they need to keep it all in their head. There's only so much room in there. Musicians who read sheet music can keep expanding, reaching back to the sheet music for refreshers if they need, and really grow.

Vlad,

For your son, in my humble opinion, I wouldn't start him on the kit. There are fundamentals that he'll need through all the rudiments that he might be better served with a drum pad.

The make ones that come with a stand that you can find on Amazon:

They seem to be mostly 12" to fit in the stand but a 6" pad would be better to really enforce discipline of striking the sticks so close together. A smaller pad attaches to a different stand:

Also, for the drum rudiments, he may learn the 26 standard in school but I recommend encouraging him to learn all 40 essential rudiments.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.