Help From Drummers

apphd

I have seen a few posts here by drummers so I know there are CP members that are up to date.
My 4 year old wants a drum set. He has been interested in drums since he was 2, and has gone through/outgrown; a toy electronic drum pad, and a small toy 3 pcs. set. I'm still not sure he will stick with it enough to drop a lot of cash, and not a lot of free space to work with in the house right now. I'm looking for thoughts on the entry level electronic kits. For space savings and the ability to control volume for my sake:eek: So are the lower priced sets any good at all? For a beginner would they provide enough head feedback (feel/bounce) to him to learn on? Any and all help appreciated.

AsSiMiLaTeD

The Alesis dm6 or dm7 kits are both nice at around 400 bucks. They're not super fancy or great kits, but they're hard to beat for that price.

Sigler music also has a modified version of the ion drum rocker rb kit that's a standard elec kit and it's pretty nice at around 500 bucks.

Dennis Gardner

Roland TD3 is a nice kit for the $$$. The functionality of headphone usage is a big plus with E-drums along with smaller storage footprints.

AsSiMiLaTeD

That Roland kit is nice as well, probably a bit better than the Alesis kits but is more expensive also

Dennis Gardner

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

That Roland kit is nice as well, probably a bit better than the Alesis kits but is more expensive also

I've got TD3 in stock that would go for about what the Alesis does. I have a TD4 also, but you are looking at $2k worth of mesh headed drums for it. It is cool too.

I think I also have a Yamaha Electronic pad somewhere in the back (don't recall the model)that I would let go of for very little if I can find it and see if it checks out okay.

You would be amazed at what comes for sale/trade into a music store in a town of 12k that doesn't have a pawn shop when the owners falls on hard times.

mantis

Electronic drum sets I feel are not a god thing to start out on. I feel a good wood drum set is the way to go. Pearl makes nice entry level 5 piece kits to get going. Many other brands are good as well. I suggest taking a drive down to your local drum shop and get to know a good salesman there who also plays.
Also talk to the drum teacher , they always have excellent suggestions on where to get started.

Dennis Gardner

I tend to agree with Dan that acoustic instruments are almost always the best route for beginners. Drums, guitars, keyboards etc. The real stuff is best for basic learning. The upright bass would be my only exception to this line of thought since most kids are too small for any acoustic bass.

My reply to OP was to help with E-drums since he asked about them......

AsSiMiLaTeD

Agreed as well, but an electronic kit is better than nothing.

apphd

mantis wrote: »

Electronic drum sets I feel are not a god thing to start out on. I feel a good wood drum set is the way to go. Pearl makes nice entry level 5 piece kits to get going. Many other brands are good as well. I suggest taking a drive down to your local drum shop and get to know a good salesman there who also plays.
Also talk to the drum teacher , they always have excellent suggestions on where to get started.

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

I tend to agree with Dan that acoustic instruments are almost always the best route for beginners. Drums, guitars, keyboards etc. The real stuff is best for basic learning. The upright bass would be my only exception to this line of thought since most kids are too small for any acoustic bass.

My reply to OP was to help with E-drums since he asked about them......

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Agreed as well, but an electronic kit is better than nothing.

Thanks everyone. That's what I was concerned with. This will hold more weight with what ever I end up doing.

Any thoughts on selling an acoustic set vs an electronic one, would one be easier to sell or hold it's value more over the other? I know this is influenced by market area, but in general.

Last question, any thoughts on self taught, vs traditional lessons where the correct technical aspects of drumming are learned?

Thanks again.

TNRabbit

Lessons & basic rudiments will get him started PROPERLY & avoid bad habits. I don't suggest self-taught as a general rule.

decal

Do the kid a favor,buy him a guitar. You don't want him to be a drummer, trust me on this !!!!!!!!!!!!!! :biggrin:

Joe08867

Selling a kit is a different animal all together.

You will never get your investment returned unless the kit is an antique kit.

Electronics hold a bit more value but in either case getting something decent will let it hold it's value, in the sense that he will be able to use it for a longer time without him outgrowing it's ability.

I am a proponent of Alesis, Roland, or if you can swing them Acupad with a TD10 module. The last one is what I have and they truly feel like real drums and have tons of bells and whistles for the long haul.

My acoustic kit is a Pearl Masterworks with Paiste cymbals and cost an absolute fortune to build.

Electronics are much easier on the wallet and neighbors.

LessisNevermore

TNRabbit wrote: »

Lessons & basic rudiments will get him started PROPERLY & avoid bad habits. I don't suggest self-taught as a general rule.

I disagree. With very young kids, rigid lessons usually involve a practice pad, and nothing else. At this point, it becomes work, and not so much fun. As soon as it becomes work, they lose interest.

After a few years, lessons can really help, because at this point the student has more maturity, and more of an idea what, and how they want to play. Playing along with pre-recorded music can train the internal clock as well as a metronome. It was, after all, recorded to a click track.

Improper grip would be one of the worst bad habits to get into, but examples of the correct grip techniques can be found on the internet, and books. I was one who started with bad grip, and played that way for about 15 years. Correcting it was not difficult.


I've been around drummers that were strictly lessons-only, and when in a band situation, they could not create their own drum part, and had no groove. Worst of all, it stifled their creativity, which IMO, was far more damaging than a few bad habits. But they sure could play the hell out of their rudiments....Lessons can be very beneficial, when started at the right time, and provided the instructor is good.

Joe08867

I couldn't agree with you more, Lessisnevermore.

I started on my own and took lessons much later in life. If I had taken them to early I would more than likely have quit. Kids hate homework unless it is fun. Playing along to music you like isn't homework. Playing rudiments until your wrists hurt isn't fun.

I know several drummers that started with lessons and you are correct, they don't have the feel or creativity. Can they play all the rudiments? Yes but it looses something in the translation.

stuwee

Have him watch this for inspiration..... http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/rush-neil-pearts-epic-drum-solo-letterman-video watch it fast, they're pulling links to this right and left, damn regulators :mad:

apphd

Wow thanks for all the input. Everyone is spot on with their thoughts in regards to my concerns. I know I will take a hit if I need to sell due to lost interest. I am one of those that you referred to. Took lessons for about 4 years way back in school, played concert band, and marching band. All with just a snare drum at home and a hard rubber practice pad for my parents sanity. Then boredom and hormones kicked in at the same time and football and girls was more important than drums. A couple years later and I had a chance to sit down with a set and I felt lost and overwhelmed all at once. Any how, as I said I'm concerned with him developing bad habits, but at the same time concerned with him loosing interest. Because of his age I don't want to invest a ton, but want something that can grow with him, or at least he won't outgrow and have me looking to buy again in 5 or 6 years.

Cool vid stuwee interesting thing I saw at one point when Peart did some nice tight rolls and paradiddles he switched to the classic left hand grip. Those type of things have me wondering about the pad response bounce on electronic sets. But it sounds like there are some out there that can duplicate the feel of an acoustic set.

Thanks again for all the help. Time to start watching CL and hit some music shops in the area.