Phoenix Music Lessons

How to buy a drum set.

This is perhaps the number one question I get from customers wanting to start Drum lessons.
First off; allot of the answer depends on you, your preferences and your budget.

The big rule here is this: When you buy any level drum set, know the difference between a complete kit and the "shell pack"; (the drums without hardware and stands). You may see many very low advertised prices but be sure you know what is included. Often stores will advertise the $299.00 entry level kit to get you in the door and when the hardware gets added on you see that the price has doubled. Its not bad to buy a "shell pack" without the hardware and cymbals but, be sure you know how much extra all the hardware will cost before you compare it with another kit that already has the hardware.

• *The drums
• *The cymbals; high hat cymbals, ride and crash
• *The stands (hardware)
• *The throne; (the seat), and
• *The bass drum pedal

Also; DO NOT BUY DRUM SETS AT COSTCO, WALLMART OR ANYWHERE ELSE THAT IS NOT A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DEALER!! These drum sets are not worth your time.

• *Lower quality sound
• *Small budget
• *poor resale value
• *will eventually need to upgrade

Buying a drum set for a beginning student may, at first, seem to be a bit intimidating. There are so many brands, materials and differing levels to consider. There are many "entry level" kits available at prices as low as $300.00 to $400.00 and up. Buying an entry level kit may be a good starting instrument. However; you should be aware that many of these drum sets may not last more than a few years of regular use and practice. Also when it comes time to perform those entry level kits often will not get you very far. This is due to lesser quality materials that may have poor sound or perhaps even break on you when used in professional situations. If you are looking for a drum set just to learn on, and you understand that later you will need an upgrade then an inexpensive entry level kit may be right for you.

Here are some entry level drum sets with everything included. You can find these at the Guitar Center website with FREE Shipping! Just click on the banner below and search for these sets

• Sound Percussion 5-Piece Drum Set with Cymbals Item #583373
• Sound Percussion 4-Piece Drum Set with Cymbals Item #583372
• Tama Swingstar Drum Set with Cymbals Item #360848 (does not include hardware)

intermediate Level Drum sets

• *Better quality sound
• *Bigger budget
• *Good resale value
• *Will usually last for many years of enjoyable play

Intermediate level drum kits are the better choice in my opinion. Especially if you are sure that you are going to be keeping and playing your new drums for many many years. Many intermediate level kits use a hybrid of better materials. For example; the shell will often have a maple or birch inner shell to produce better quality sounds and many include those hardwoods on the outer shell for improved appearance. The hardware of these drum sets is usually fairly rugged and these sets can even be used in early performance situations.

Here are some intermediate drum sets that will need additional hardware and cymbals. You can find these at the Guitar Center website with FREE Shipping! Just click on the banner below and search for these sets

• Yamaha Gigmaker 5-Piece Standard Shell Pack Item #36095
• Tama Superstar SK 5-piece Shell Pack Item #584302
• Pearl Vision VSX 5-Piece Standard Drum Shell Pack Item #585342

• *higher budget
• *Good quality sounds
• *Built in features
• *a little less needed space

Another option is an electric/digital drum set. These drum sets should come with a "Brain" that basically gives you many high quality sounds to choose from. These sets do not produce the true quality of a real “acoustic drum set”. However; that’s not to say that electric/digital drum sets do not have sincere value.
What a digital drum set lacks in quality, it more than compensates for in quantity. There are often many interesting sounds to be discovered on an electronic drum set. On some you can spend hours looking through; (listening through) the many sounds and then find just the right one to fit the composition at hand(s). Usually these instruments have a built in metronome and many have cool drum patterns that can really get a student grooving!
These drum sets feel very different from acoustic drum sets. So; it should be noted that if a student wishes to ever play on a real drum set then they should go with a real drum set. However; I have had students that are learning just for their own personal enjoyment and have no immediate intention of playing on anything other than their own instrument. In a case such as this; whatever will be will be. OK; with all that said, I recommend you start off with a real acoustic drum set.

Here are some electric/digital drum set that we have found to be useful for a beginning student. Most of these drum sets do not come with a drum throne. You can find all of these at Guitar Center Online with FREE SHIPPING!

• Alesis DM6 Electronic Drum Set Item #105656219
• Roland V-Compact Series TD-4S Electronic Drum Set Item #580565
• Yamaha DTX550K Electronic Drum Set Item #713169
• Yamaha DTXPLORER Electronic Drum Set Item #490906

Why choose Phoenix Music Lessons?