Drums in rock music are extraordinary. While electric guitarist gets the most attention, it’s hard to deny that they have a unique sound. Drums can be the difference between a great song and a bad one. A drum solo is a surefire way to get a crowd going.
It cannot be very comforting to start playing the drums more than buying your first guitar. Basic drum kits can be overwhelming with all the options, combinations, cymbals, and drums.
Our buying guide will help you find the best first drum set, regardless of your musical goals.
What do you prefer? Acoustic warmth or electrical convenience?
The drums are loud. In recent years, electronic drum sets like the Roland TD02K 5-Piece V-Drums kit are much better for parents with noisy teenagers or drummers who live in apartment complexes. You can also find them cheaper than traditional drums. Electronic sets use pressure-sensitive pads to trigger sampled sounds of drums and cymbals instead of conventional drums.
Electric drum sets are simple to use. Plugging their outputs into headphones or an amplifier will allow you to adjust the volume to your liking. Professional studios use electronic drum sets in concerts and at concerts. They are easier to record and mix than acoustic ones, which need multiple microphones.
Most people agree that a wood drum set will never replace the natural resonance it provides. You can also quieten your acoustic percussion. You can use dampeners to quieten down your drumheads. Use lighter brushes instead of sticks, and learn to use a soft and subtle touch.
We’ll focus the rest of this article on acoustic sets because they offer more nuance and variety. However, electronic drums can also be a good option for specialized needs.
Four-piece or five-piece?
Drum sets come in a wide range of sizes. While some jazz and rockabilly musicians use just a hi-hat, snare, and perhaps a bass, arena rock musicians might have six toms and a dozen cymbals. When we refer to a drum set as complete, we refer to the number of drums in the background (not cymbals).
A bass drum is required on the floor, and a snare that rests in your lap. You can add “tom-tom” drums (or simply “tom”) to your set to give it more variety. What is a tom? Listen to the opening theme of “Wipeout.”
If you see something like the Tama Imperialstar 5 Piece Complete Kit with an 18″ Bass Drum, you will know it includes a floor tom, a tom, and a snare. A five-piece set will come with three toms. A six-piece kit will have four. A four- or five-piece kit is most common and is suitable for beginners.
Cymbals are essential for any ride or crash
Your set needs cymbals too. It would help if you also had cymbals. Some locations include cymbals, while others like the Tama mentioned above, do not. You may upgrade your drum set even if it comes with cymbals.
You’ll need at least two hi-hats, a ride, and a crash cymbal. Hi-hats are sandwiched on a stand that looks like a clamshell. You can open and close the air with a pedal. Crash cymbals are onomatopoeic and have a loud, chiming sound. Ride cymbals produce a bright, chiming tone. You can expand your sound with less essential cymbals like mini “splashes” or “china-style” models.
Zildjian is a Turkish company with a long history dating back to the 17th century. The four-piece set includes all the basics. Or, you can upgrade to a five-piece set for an additional crash cymbal.
Hardware is important
You’ll also need other hardware pieces, such as stands for your cymbals. These include a hi-hat stand, pedals, cymbals stand, drumsticks, and snare stands.
The massive high-end drum sets with twin bass drums are also entirely unnecessary. Get a double pedal for bass drums. This Dixon Hardware Pack is a great way to get started.
Do you want to have more options for drums? Adorama carries a variety of electronic and acoustic sets as well as all the pieces you need.