Picking up the drums as a hobby can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. It not only allows you to express your creativity and musicality, but also brings along the benefits of improved coordination and rhythm. One of the first steps in your drumming journey, and arguably one of the most crucial, is choosing the right drum kit. As a beginner, the sheer number of choices available can be overwhelming. This guide aims to simplify that process, providing you with an understanding of the basics of a drum kit, a review of some top drum kits for beginners (both acoustic and electric), and tips on how to choose the right drum kit for your specific needs. Let’s dive in and embark on your drumming journey with confidence.
Understanding the Basics of a Drum Kit
A drum kit, also known as a drum set, is comprised of several components, each playing its unique role in the overall sound. The basic drum kit consists of a bass drum, also known as the kick drum, which provides the low-end thump. The snare drum, often considered the backbone of the kit, is responsible for the sharp, rhythmic accents. The toms (short for tom-tom drums) provide a tonal range in between the bass and snare drums and are used in creating drum fills. The cymbals, which include the hi-hat, crash, and ride, add shimmer and accent the music.
There are two main types of drum kits – acoustic and electric. Acoustic drum kits produce sound through physical vibration of the drum heads, often preferred for their natural, resonant sound and dynamic response. Electric drum kits, on the other hand, generate sound digitally, offering a variety of sound options, quieter practice, and easy recording capabilities. As a beginner, your choice between an acoustic or electric kit largely depends on your personal preferences, living situation, and the style of music you wish to play.
Tips for Choosing the Right Drum Kit
When choosing a drum kit, several factors should be taken into consideration. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Budget: Drum kits can vary widely in price. Set a budget and try to stick to it, but remember that like many other things, you often get what you pay for in terms of quality. Don’t be afraid to invest a little more for a kit that will last longer and sound better.
- Acoustic vs Electric: This decision largely depends on your living situation and personal preferences. If you live in an apartment or need to practice quietly, an electric kit might be the best choice. However, if you prefer the sound and feel of an acoustic kit, and noise is not an issue, an acoustic drum set would be most suitable.
- Size of the Drum Kit: Drum kits come in different sizes. If you’re short on space, consider a smaller, more compact kit.
- Material: The material of the drum shells can affect the sound of the drum. Common materials include maple, birch, and poplar. Maple is generally warm sounding while birch has a more aggressive tone and poplar is often found in less expensive kits.
- Your Music Style: Different drum kits are suitable for different types of music. For example, rock music might require a larger bass drum and more toms, while jazz music might require a smaller, more compact set-up.
Remember, the most expensive or largest kit is not necessarily the best one for you. The right drum kit should suit your personal needs and musical aspirations. Always try to test the drum kit personally before purchasing, to ensure that you are comfortable with the feel and sound of the drums.
Top 3 Drum Sets for Beginners
As a beginner, finding the right drum kit can seem a daunting task. With a myriad of options in the market, narrowing down to the most appropriate set for your needs requires careful consideration. In this section, we’ve distilled the options to our top three picks for beginners. These drum kits balance quality, ease of use, and affordability, providing a solid foundation to kickstart your drumming journey.
Ktaxon 5-Piece Drum Set
The Full Size Drum Set is an excellent choice for beginners. It includes an array of components like a 14×5.5″ snare drum, 22×16″ bass drum, 16×16″ floor tom, 14″ high-hat cymbal, 16″ ride cymbal, a bass drum pedal, stool, two rack toms, and drum sticks. Sporting a high-gloss finish, white drum heads, and chrome details, this kit offers a classic design and stability with its stainless steel double-braced hardware legs and anti-slip foot pad. The 9-ply poplar hardwood shells deliver a rich low-end and smooth mids, while the double-thickened drum skins enhance the hitting feel and clarity of sound. Additionally, the drum set offers adjustable stool height and stand positions, facilitating a personalized setup for drummers of various heights. The kit is easy to install with the availability of an installation video, making it an ideal choice for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players.
Eastar 22 inch Drum Set
The Eastar EDS-485B 5 adult drum set is a full-size kit perfect for beginners and intermediate drum enthusiasts. It includes the drum body, stand, drum throne, cymbal, and drumsticks. The kit’s features include poplar horizontal stripes for high strength and sound, a premium drum head with superior thickness for excellent sound, and a bass drum with a larger tension compared to similar products. The kit includes a single-leg electroplated hi-hat stand and a double-plate structure drum base that is sturdy and stylish, with a load-bearing capacity of up to 330 lbs. Easy to assemble, the set includes multiple components, from mounted toms and snare, a bass drum, Hi-Hat cymbal with a stand, straight cymbal with stand, 7A wooden drum sticks, bass pedal, a round padded adjustable drum throne, and easy to read setup instructions. Eastar, a trusted brand in musical instruments for over 10 years, provides reliable customer service and a 12-month product warranty for this drum set.
Ashthorpe 5-Piece Complete Full Size Drum Set
This drum set features esteemed Remo brand UT-series batter heads, the flagship product of the world’s largest drumhead company, ensuring industry excellence and classic sound qualities that cater to every drummer’s aspirations. This full-size set, perfect for adult musicians of all skill levels, offers a complete package for playing and practice; it includes an eight-lug bass drum, floor tom, mounted toms, a snare with wires, hi-hat cymbals, a crash/ride cymbal, all necessary stands, a padded throne, drumsticks, hardware, chain-driven pedals, and a drum adjustment key. Crafted from the finest materials such as genuine Poplar hardwood shells, upgraded heads, and triple flanged hoops, this deluxe set is designed to amplify frequency response and resonance for an unmatched acoustic experience. The drum set, available in various finishes, showcases top-quality hardware and accents that yield a sleek, stage-worthy appearance. Although some assembly is required, the package includes detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for a hassle-free setup.
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Top 3 Electric Drum Kits for Beginners
let’s introduce our top three picks for the best beginner electric drum kits. These models are designed with beginners in mind, featuring user-friendly interfaces, adjustable settings, and comprehensive tutorials. They hail from reputable brands, ensuring quality and durability. Whether you’re just starting your journey into drumming or looking to transition from an acoustic set, these kits can offer you a fantastic stepping stone to develop your skills and ignite your rhythmic passion. So, let the drum roll begin as we unveil our top three electric drum kits for beginners.
Alesis Nitro Max Kit Electric Drum Set
Experience the ultimate percussion journey with the Premium 8-piece electronic drum set. It boasts Alesis mesh heads and a cutting-edge Drum Module with Bluetooth connectivity, delivering an authentic performance feel. The kit includes a larger dual-zone mesh snare, three mesh toms, a kick drum tower with pedal, and three cymbals, all mounted on a sturdy foldable rack. With the upgraded Drum Module, you can customize your own kits from a selection of 32 ready-to-play options, 16 user-made kits, and over 440 drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds. Connect to your PC/Mac via USB for access to additional drum kits and fresh sounds. Get 90-day access to interactive lessons from renowned drummers, learn over 5000 songs with Drumeo, and enjoy 30-day Melodics Premium access with 100 virtual lessons. Add your own samples or record directly on the Drum Module using a USB thumb drive. Connect the Nitro Max to your computer via USB/MIDI and use it with any VST or DAW of your choice. This drum set comes with a compact 4-post drum rack, a cable snake, drum sticks, a drum key, a kick pedal with hi-hat, and a power supply, making it the perfect all-in-one package to begin your drumming journey.
Fesley Electric Drum Set
The Fesley drum set offers a budget-friendly yet premium option for professional drummers. With separate kick drum and moving HH and stand, it provides an authentic sound and free hand movement. The full-mesh drum heads offer a realistic and responsive feel, while the silicone cymbals ensure stable and evenly distributed tone responses. With 225 sounds, 30 drum kit sounds, and 10 demo songs, this drum set is perfect for exploring different genres and styles. Its USB MIDI output allows for easy connection to a computer for recording or playing along with favorite tunes. Ideal for home use, it can be connected to headphones to avoid disturbing others, and its foldable structure and flexible drum throne make for easy storage and height adjustment. This electronic drum kit includes all the necessary components for a complete drumming experience.
Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit – Electric Drum Set
Experience the ultimate drumming experience with our electronic drum kit powered by mesh technology. The all mesh drum heads provide a realistic, responsive, and immersive playing experience that modern drummers demand. This premium seven-piece drum set includes an 8″ mesh snare drum, three 8″ mesh toms, three 10″ cymbals, and a custom-designed Alesis hi-hat pedal and kick pedal. Packed with sounds, the Turbo Drum Module offers 10 ready-to-play classic and modern drum kits, 30 play-along tracks, and over 100 expertly curated sounds. With powerful educational features including 30 built-in play-along tracks, a metronome, Aux input, and drum coach, you can hone and develop your drumming skills. Everything you need is included: a sturdy steel rack, connection cables, drum sticks, drum key, and power supply. Plus, enjoy 100 free virtual lessons from Melodics to master any genre or technique.
In conclusion, choosing the right drum kit as a beginner is a crucial step in your musical journey. Balancing factors such as cost, size, sound quality, and the materials used in the drum’s construction will guide you towards a kit that best suits your needs. Remember to consider your personal preferences and space constraints in your decision. Ultimately, the best drum kit for a beginner is one that encourages regular practice, withstands consistent use, and most importantly, nurtures a lifelong passion for music.
