Learning drums - acoustic or electronic??

JerryHandbag

I've been wanting to learn the drums but i'm not sure whether to buy a cheap kit 2nd hand....or buy an electronic set online somewhere like on thomann.de, some really cheap sets on there but would they be ideal for beginners or more for the kids market?? i do like the idea of having a drumkit thats not limited to just a particular sound, so the electronic option seems more likely......
any comments much appreciated.....

Doctor J

Do you live within 50 metres of another house?

If so, go electronic. At least you'll get to play it.

JerryHandbag

nope im out in the backarse of nowhere, only the cows will hear me! finding the space for a full drumkit might also be a problem, so maybe an electronic one might be handier

Doctor J

Acoustic drums are a lot more hassle, but can bt worth it, just for the sheer buzz you get from playing that loud. Plus, you won't learn to tune drums on an electronic kit which is a great skill to have.

However, for the ability to be able to play whenever you want with a minimum of fuss, the electronic ones are the winner.

Just head into the shops next time you're in Dublin and give both a lash. The beauty of drums is, even if you go for the electronic kit, if you develop a serious interest in drumming you can slowly put together an acoustic kit piece by piece over time without any big outlay of cash, just for the times when you can get to beat the crap out of it

alie

I just bought my son a set of accoustic drums for 300 , they were priced at 420 but guy in shop also teaches so got a discount when i booked lessons,. I was going to buy second hand ones but it is expensive to get new skins etc so went for new ones. His are pioneer but pearl are much more expensive. When you are learning its a good idea to get a set of mutes . You dont want to drive everyone insane playing the same beat over and over.

11811

the only thing is you dont get the "feel" of acoustic drums with electric ones.. altho you lots of fun sounds!
if you're in the middle of nowhere you might as well get an acoustic set, and they dont take up that much room...

JerryHandbag

I remember playin a electronic kit in Waltons in dublin a few years back, but the price was astronomical.....its only from browsing online that ive seen a few from a much more entry-level price bracket.....oh another thing......do you get physically tired from beating drums for 5 minutes flat???!!! im not in the worst shape, but im no bodybuilder either!

Baggio

jerry- no1 yu dont beat drums,,,you play em!

mind you some of us play them harder than others!....buy a beginner electric off thoman would be your best bet and if you take to it, do as the guys suggest buy acoustic kits gradually over a while till you have what you feel is what you need for your music etc...


either way your in a goood situation not having neighbours close by....i never get to practise at home...just aswell i can tip-tap a bit or i'd be crap!! ahhaha

goood luck with it amigo...Baggio......

BobTheBeat

Everybody raises valid points, i.e. electric kits are usually quite versatile in terms of onboard sounds and there is the whole quietness/neighbor friendly factor.

I feel its important to note, however, that the 'feel' of an electric kit is entirely different to that of an acoustic kit. I have a number of students at the moment, who only ever play/practise on an electric kit at home and do find the transition to acoustic (in the classroom), challenging at times. There parents often comment, 'Oh its great, I cant even hear him play'. But I always remind them, that an electric kit (IMO) should be seen as an aid to the real thing. Everybody should learn and play on an electric kit with a view to eventually moving to acoustic, thats important to remember.

Doctor J raises a good point; get yourself into any of the instrument shops in the city and give both types of kits a try. In fact, as somebody 'testing the waters' with a new instrument, it can be a good idea to go for an electric kit as a learning aid, due to the fact that it will be much easier to sell on, if you decide drums arent for you

The very best of luck regardless!

Passenger

Been thinking of investing in an electronic kit myself.

Does anybody have any recommendations for an e-kit? Preferably at an introductory price.

Glydeside white

Yeah my friend up the road has electronic drums, but there not really as good or as satiffying as the acoustic tbh

Passenger

What do you think of this particular kit?



Here's the musicstore.de link for that kit

BobTheBeat

Passenger, seems like a nice budget kit. I havent encountered products by Fame, but by all accounts they do a great range of instruments at great prices. If you have a tight budget I would say go for it.

Have you had a look on buy and sell or even on adverts for second hand kits? I've seen a couple of Roland td-3 setups go for a small bit more than what you would be paying for that kit from thomann.

Short version of the above:- If you cant wait, go for the above. If you are prepared to hold out, you could find a competitively priced roland product for small(ish)(500-600) money.

Passenger

Great, thanks for the advice bob.

Demeyes

I'd be wary on playing an electric all the time, for some of the reasons already mentioned.
It can be very hard to control dynamics on an electric kit, something very important to learn as a drummer. Also it could be very easy to develop poor technique due to the feel of the rubber pads compared to hitting a skin.
I don't really see a problem with the electric kit to get you started though but I would definately think about moving to an acoustic set pretty soon once you get the basics down.

-Freebird-

Acoustic. Definitely.

Dr. Loon

If you don't have to worry about neighbours and noise get an acoustic kit, and get the best you can afford. If you find you're not into it, a good kit will always sell. As someone else mentioned, dynamics, bounce, feel are so important, and you will only get that on a proper kit. Proper skins, pedals etc.

Also, learn how to tune a kit. Most drummers can't. Good luck and enjoy beating the **** outta it!