All You Need To Know About Choosing A Drum Set

There are hundreds of types of drums on the market so it's obvious why choosing the right drum set is not an easy task, especially if you're not into music, if you want to offer a drum set as a gift or if you are a beginner. Here's all you need to know about choosing a drum set to make your pick a little bit easier.

Beginners

If you want to take lessons on how to play the drums, especially if you are a young student, size is the most important. Start with a typical elementary-level snare of 14" x 5" and made of steel, snare drum stand, a pair of good quality drum sticks (even if they are more expensive), and a metronome for timing. To select good sticks, try to look for popular manufacturers such as Vic Firth or Pro-Mark.

Select a drum stool that fits with the percussionist's size because comfort is very important when you learn how to play the drums. You should start with a five-piece drum set that includes a bass drum (the size for a beginner should be a 22" x 18" or a little lower), three tom-toms (or just toms), and a snare drum. The high tom should be 12" x 9", the middle tom should be 13" x 10", while the lowest can be 16" x 16". The wood and style of the drum set is not very important at this stage.

Moreover, do not forget about cymbals and hardware. If it's not included in the drum set, you have to buy it separately because you're going to need stands for your hi-hat, ride, and crash cymbals. You do not have to buy the best cymbals on the market but if you can afford it, go and purchase some from famous companies such as Sabian or Paiste.

Intermediates

A drum set for this stage usually costs between $300 and $800 and are of fair quality. They are usually made of birch or maple and don't come with cymbals included but they do sound very good and are usually preferred even by professionals who don't afford to spend $1000+ for a first-class drum set. The most famous brands of drum sets for intermediates are Ludwig, Pearl, Gretsch and Mapex.

Experienced drummers

For those who already master the art of playing the drums, a superior kit is a "must-have". Seek for the most famous drum brands such as Pork pie, SJC, Slingerlands and Orange Country; as for drumheads, buy from Evans or Remo. At this stage of experience, wood is very important. Mahogany for instance provides a warm sound with a pinch on the low end of the drum sound, maple have the best resonance, while poplar and luan are the cheapest and less qualitative for the sound. The price for such drum sets range between $1000 and $1,500 because they usually come in 6 up to 8 pieces and sound and look amazing.

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