Drum Lessons
If you're looking for a drum teacher in the South Jersey area, we are here to help. We work to reach your musical goals in a way that clicks for you.
In many styles, the drummer is the backbone of a musical ensemble. The drum beat is what you feel right away, it's what makes you want to get up and dance! Rhythm is something so innate to human beings that we, at Collingswood Sound hope to bring out a skill that's hidden deep within anyone who is willing to learn. Building the coordination to use all 4 limbs simultaneously is among the very first skills you'll learn as a beginner. If you're a more experienced player, you may delve into playing in specific styles such as Funk, Rock, Jazz, or many others. Lessons will begin to focus on concepts like groove, musicianship, polyrhythms, and soloing.
Never taken drum lessons before?
Before we talk gear, be sure to check out our blog post on practicing routines to make sure you or your child gets the most out of their gear when practicing. Now - many parents and students aren’t quite sure what equipment they’ll need to start drum lessons, I hear questions like: do we need a full kit? what’s an electronic kit? How many drums are in a drum set? Firstly drum kit and drum set are synonyms, you’ll see these words used interchangeably. Most drum students will start out with just a practice pad, this is meant to minimize distractions and place the focus on technique and rhythms. Learning on the practice pad typically only last for a month or two before a student is ready to upgrade. If a student already has a drum kit we can skip the practice pad but focus on the same concepts on the drum set. Let’s explore the options when upgrading to a drum set:
Acoustic Drum Sets
An acoustic drum set is what you hear and see when you go to a live show most of the time. Think of The Beatles, Ringo Starr was playing on an acoustic drum set. Drum sets can come with varying amounts of drums, the number of drums included are referred to as “pieces”. Many beginner drum kits are either 4 or 5 piece kits, which means you’re purchasing 4 or 5 drums as a part of the drum set. Drum sets will usually include a snare drum, bass drum, 1 or 2 rack toms, and at least one floor tom as well as all the stands necessary to hold these drums. The drums can be made of different materials and come in different sizes. The materials and size effect the sound but for a beginner kit, it won’t make an enormous difference (if you’re interested in a more in-depth analysis, see The Hub’s guide.) The stands are usually referred to as “hardware” and this includes all the little pieces that are used to adjust and hold drums in place. Cymbal stands and cymbals sometimes aren’t included in beginner kits so be on the lookout, you’ll want both of these included in a starter kit. The kick pedal, which is used to play the bass drum, should also be included. So in summary, when buying an acoustic kit you should check for:
- How many pieces (or separate drums) are included?
- Does the kit include hardware and cymbal stands?
- Does the kit include cymbals?
- Does the kit include a kick pedal?
If you have all of these elements then you should be all set - don’t forget the drumsticks! Drumsticks also come in various sizes and materials, check out Vic Firth’s Drumstick Anatomy if you’re interested in learning more. There are so many variables when it comes to buying a drum set, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help sorting through your options.
Electronic Drum Sets
The alternative to the acoustic kit is an electronic drum set. The electronic kit consists of rubber or plastic trigger pads that activate the sounds of each drum. Electronic drums are usually in a similar price range to acoustic kits, here are some pros and cons for the electronic kit:
Pros:
- Drummers can use headphones to practice, this makes electronic kits much quieter than acoustic kits.
- Electronic kits usually come with all the necessary parts included.
- You can choose between different types of drum set sounds, from electronic, to funk, to rock, to latin, and electronic kits often come pre-loaded with play a-long tracks.
Cons:
- If you want the drums to be heard outside of headphones, you need to purchase an amp and 1/4” cable.
- Some drummers say the feel of an electronic kit is slightly different from an acoustic, which can make switch between the two uncomfortable.
- When playing with a band, the electronic drum sound can stand-out and sound different because we are so used to hearing acoustic drums.
If you have any questions about the differences or need advice on which kit to invest in, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
