Good ways to save money.

[Beasty101]

As many of you know.... I have a habit of defending cheap gear. I have good reasons for it. I will explain it shortly why I do so. First I will give a brief back ground of myself and my experiance with drums well before I really started to learn.

So lets get started.There are currently 3 drummers in my family including myself. I have had the pleasure of playing on some very very expensive kits. Through My family and there freinds who also play drums. When I finally decided to play drums I wanted a really nice kit. My cousin John asked me what kit I was thinking about getting. I said a Yamaha , he asked what line well I did not know what line it was so I showed him. John looked at me and said If I was you I would go for a intermediate kit. He stressed skill over quality and practically hammerd it into my head. John having played since he was 6 years of age and now is pushing 40 I took his advice to Heart and bought a CB SP series. I have now been practicing.. not playing for almost a year now. My mom also played for close to 8 years.

Now onto cheap gear vs so called quality for when you first..... start playing. Cheap does have a cash advantag over quality gear more then just the price of the sale. Like other forms of art not everyone is going to stick with it. Ah HA!!! thats why pawn shops have all those quality high dollar guitars Trumbones and drums in there shops collecting dust. That is money lost. in Some cases alot of waisted lost money.

Second..... New musicians generally do not know how to properly take care of there instruments. Would you rather them learn not to take a steel wool on a stock or low grade cymbal or on a expensive high dollar pro line cymbal? Chances are you would cringe and scream bloody mary if you seen some one taking a steal wool to a 400 dollar ride even if it was not yours you might also find yourself tackling them to stop the carnage being exacted on what once was a thing of excellent sound. As we see here with cheap gear they will learn not to do such silly things.

Thirdly.....control control control.. New drummers not all tend to think they need to beat the snot out of the drums to sound cool. This can lead to damaged heads.... cracked cymbals broken foot pedals and so on. Again here is another advantage of cheap hardware and gear. They have now learned atleast we hope so that using your feet and sticks as sledge hammers 100% of the time is generally not a good idea and.... the neigbors will be less annoyed.

Finally from personal experiance and judgment of freinds and family through my CB kit quality has improved over the years. despite the misconception of most companies do learn that if they do not improve they will die off. this is not to say that some have not learned but to say generally most have. Well one has that I know of. My hi hat stand has held up very nicely no problem so far with it after a year along with the lone cymbal stand, base pedal and throne.. (knocks on wood).

So... now lets get to how to cut cost when just starting out.

1.That pro line 2000 dollar kit is not gonna make you a better drummer. go cheaper a 400 through 600 dollar kit will do just fine for now. It's not like your gonna be playing out the very next day. Chances are it is gonna be at least 2 years unless your a musician genius. Then by all means go for the expensive kit.

2. If taking lessons is to expensive.... goto a certain website.... tons of stuff on there to give you a bit of help. I would also suggest Tommy Igoe groove essentials the man knows his stix. you can also goto local library and obtain books and someplaces insructional videos there usually free to 1 dollar.

3.Cut corners when ever possible when it comes to cash. Again when first starting out... for the first few weeks use the stock heads until you learn to not put craters into heads. wait to buy even low grade cymbals until you learn not to beat your stock crappy ones to the point of having your own personal custom made china Or not to stomp on the hi hat pedal and turning your hats inside out. Do you really need to buy a pair of gloves that says a brand name drum company on them?? Or will other cheap gloves work just as well? save cash where ever possible. you need to find out if your going to "stick" with drumming. In the end if all works well those few bucks you saved could add up to a really nice piece of hardware or a good quality cymbal/kit.

[Ethel_The_Frog]

STICKY THIS, NAOW.
This is really useful for anyone wanting to learn how to drum. It's about you and your technique, not how good your kit is, and this just reinforces it.

[xweasel]

Originally Posted by Beasty101

wait to buy even low grade cymbals until you learn not to beat your stock crappy ones to the point of having your own personal custom made china

I lol'd.

I agree with Ethel. Will a mod sticky this?

[Northern Redneck]

Good post.

[fiacovaz]

Beasty...that was a well thought out and presented post. It shows up the folly of pouring lots of money into an activity that might not be right for someone. I am, however, going to suggest a slightly different aspect and. keep in mind, it comes from having been a music teacher. First of all, in the scenario that you presented, I was disappointed that not one in your family offered to give you lessons or to suggest a teacher. At the very least, suggesting a teacher would have been the right thing as it is very difficult teaching your own children. The unique thing about learning to play the drums is that it does not require a drumset at the outset. One can learn by dutifully taking lessons, learn how to read music and practice on the Pad. In truth, this is how my teacher instructed me. After about 6 months of lessons, he then introduced me to the Rudiments. By that time, I was able to read music easily enough
and the rudiments were simply incorporated into the Reading. At this early stage, one is not generally playing with a band so, gradual lessons on the drumset with a teacher set the student up for being "Ready" when the opportunity to play arises. It is during this time that an astute teacher is planting the idea of the student acquiring a drumset and coaching on the aspects of types of drum and related gear. In other words, a good teacher serves as a guide and mentor. It won't be necessary for the student to get that "Top line" outfit. He/she will know better about how to play the kit and take care of the equipment. This attitude is then best served by acquiring a decent grade of drum gear that is going to sound good, look good and will last for a good many years while the student continues to develop Mastery and skill. I realize that I use the term "Student" a great deal of the time. Well, when you think about it, we are all students of what we are doing...playing the drums. So, the only departure I am suggesting from what you spelled out is to forgo the temptation of even getting a drumset until it's been determined that whatever you get, it's not going to be wasted on you. Money will always be an issue so let it be used in the best ways possible. There are plenty of drum teachers...local music stores, public schools, college/universities, private teachers. Thanks for sharing your experience because it has some very valueable lessons and insights.

[Larrysperf]

Originally Posted by fiacovaz

Beasty...that was a well thought out and presented post. It shows up the folly of pouring lots of money into an activity that might not be right for someone. I am, however, going to suggest a slightly different aspect and. keep in mind, it comes from having been a music teacher. First of all, in the scenario that you presented, I was disappointed that not one in your family offered to give you lessons or to suggest a teacher. At the very least, suggesting a teacher would have been the right thing as it is very difficult teaching your own children. The unique thing about learning to play the drums is that it does not require a drumset at the outset. One can learn by dutifully taking lessons, learn how to read music and practice on the Pad. In truth, this is how my teacher instructed me. After about 6 months of lessons, he then introduced me to the Rudiments. By that time, I was able to read music easily enough
and the rudiments were simply incorporated into the Reading. At this early stage, one is not generally playing with a band so, gradual lessons on the drumset with a teacher set the student up for being "Ready" when the opportunity to play arises. It is during this time that an astute teacher is planting the idea of the student acquiring a drumset and coaching on the aspects of types of drum and related gear. In other words, a good teacher serves as a guide and mentor. It won't be necessary for the student to get that "Top line" outfit. He/she will know better about how to play the kit and take care of the equipment. This attitude is then best served by acquiring a decent grade of drum gear that is going to sound good, look good and will last for a good many years while the student continues to develop Mastery and skill. I realize that I use the term "Student" a great deal of the time. Well, when you think about it, we are all students of what we are doing...playing the drums. So, the only departure I am suggesting from what you spelled out is to forgo the temptation of even getting a drumset until it's been determined that whatever you get, it's not going to be wasted on you. Money will always be an issue so let it be used in the best ways possible. There are plenty of drum teachers...local music stores, public schools, college/universities, private teachers. Thanks for sharing your experience because it has some very valueable lessons and insights.

I think we had the same teacher but mine made me hold out for 8 months, but he did let me use pad and ride. Nuff said ,but I started learning Jazz from the start

[Zeta]

this ias basically an outline of the beginning of my drumming story. I played the stock heads until they were worn, i played the pedal until it broke, and my cymbals are wacked out and then i replaced it all after like a year.

This should be a sticky for the first time drummers to understand.

[bassist learning drums]

I agree Beasty!!! You wouldn't buy a Porsche for a 16yr old. I am happy with my Export. As time goes on, I will upgrade, but you are right. I need to develop my skills first!

[Ethel_The_Frog]

Originally Posted by Zeta

this ias basically an outline of the beginning of my drumming story. I played the stock heads until they were worn, i played the pedal until it broke, and my cymbals are wacked out and then i replaced it all after like a year.

Unless you're in a big band and can afford to have those things replaced at leisure, there's nothing wrong with what you're doing. Drumming is about the playing, not how flash your kit looks. I'll keep saying that until people actually learn :D

[1DrumBum]

I have to agree with almost everything said here so far. I played hand percussion many years before I sat down behind a kit and seriously started learning how to play it, so I had a good feel for what was going on already. I bought a used CB percussion kit for $250 to learn on and spent a year on that kit before I upgraded to the Pearls I have now. However, through my own personal experience, I think you should spend a little money to either replace the stock heads or spend a little on O-rings and Moongels when you start. When I was starting on the kit, the one thing that frustrated me more than anything else and made me start to lose interest was the fact that the kit sounded like garbage. After replacing the heads and spending some time on the 'net learning how to tune, I was able to get a sound that I liked and that made me want to play more. By the time I got to this point, I only had about $350 invested in the kit, which is pretty good. I started gigging soon after that, so upgrades had to be made quickly (thank god for tax returns!) to make it roadworthy. Most beginners will not be gigging for a while, so that expense is not necessary. I always suggest that a beginner buy a used, name brand kit that has cymbals with it. You don't know if it is something that you are going to stick with, and if you don't, it will retain it's value for resale.

I'm not sure that made any sense at all......

[pastor_bob]

It made perfect sense 1DB, and it is excellent reinforcement to what this thread is about.

[Lesizmor]

Great advice Beasty101! So many times a noob drummer with think it necessary to fork out giant bux to have a flashy high zoot kit, only to find out that the object of their drum lust has become an expensive laundry rack.
-Les

[bassist learning drums]

Originally Posted by Lesizmor

Great advice Beasty101! So many times a noob drummer with think it necessary to fork out giant bux to have a flashy high zoot kit, only to find out that the object of their drum lust has become an expensive laundry rack.
-Les

Expensive laundry rack, now there is an idea!!!

I just hope Mrs. Bish doesn't decide to take that idea into consideration

[Mr. Tama]

Alright, here is my view, mainly on cymbals. Cymbals, if you are not a heavy hitter, will last you a LONG time. That is why I wish I went to craigslist earlier than I did. I would say this. Don't jump on a sale on ZBTs or B8s. Spend maybe $50 more and buy some used A/K Customs! I have been playing for two years. I got my B8s this past summer. Guess what? The two crashes are sold and the hi hats and ride are on craigslist. I learned fast and am completely self taught.

Sparknotes version: Don't waste money on low quality gear. Nuff' Said.

[Wife's Toy]

Great thread! Just my 2cents. I bought a used ludwig kit when I first started at a garage sale from a lady down the street from where I grewup for $100. And i had those for a couple of years till I could buy a new kit and even then I still got a lower end set of Pearls. I spent the money on good heads and cymbals and I still use the set today and this was back in the early 90's. Just keep kicking myself for not keeping the Luds. Would have been a nice vintage set.

[Zetsumei]

That's really good. I would like to add in that sometimes a background in the other percussion familys by themselves is a great background! School band for the win! That's probably the only reason I don't bang my drums to death now, the fact that I have played just percussion since 5th grade (and some violin...) and started set in about 8th grade, I learned to control myself.

[MortalDrumbat]

whatever it takes to build my dream kit. theres certain stuff i wouldnt make my own, but i still enjoy playing because it brings back novice related memories

[jack's_art]

as fiacovaz said about starting slowly to learn the drums is probably the best way to go instead of learning beats straight away(like i was taught). i wonder though if i would have gotten bored or not from drumming then. i know that now i wouldn't but i was very different before discovering music more passionately, so in terms of theory it's the better way to go but in practice the student might get bored.
also, in terms of getting beginners stuff... i think it is a good thing to start on something that is cheap. many people i know concentrate more on the gear rather on the skill, and if you started with crap stuff you will appreciate more decent stuff much more than someone who goes straight to pro stuff. appreciation is a big one for me.
just yday i saw a drumkit on sale which had cost $600 new and the FATHER was selling for $350 again after 3 months of playing because the DAUGHTER got bored and started guitar instead. that's $250 loss on a kit (if he gets it sold for that price which will be questionable) in just a few months. and that bugs me a lot when people are so "spoiled". sorry for my rant.

[kay-gee]

Sad to say...we live in a very non-committal world. I'll try drums today, if I aint a rock star by tomorrow I'll switch to guitar. I see these spoiled brats with a new drum set I would've give an eye tooth for back in the day,gathering dust while they are twiddling away on video games which profit nothing! I believe this consumer world we have created for ourselves has brought a lot of non-satisfaction and a ton of debt!

all the best...

[Lesizmor]

Originally Posted by kay-gee

Sad to say...we live in a very non-committal world. I'll try drums today, if I aint a rock star by tomorrow I'll switch to guitar. I see these spoiled brats with a new drum set I would've give an eye tooth for back in the day,gathering dust while they are twiddling away on video games which profit nothing! I believe this consumer world we have created for ourselves has brought a lot of non-satisfaction and a ton of debt!

all the best...

Agreed.
I myself, even now..33 years into my drumming journey am an advoacate of Less is more. -Les

[MortalDrumbat]

i used to play on pots and pans, and tap my foot on the ground for a bass drum sound, and id use different pieces of tubberware for toms. i did this for years before ever having even the worst quality drums to start with(a broken down sunlite)

[Tru_Power22]

Originally Posted by MortalDrumbat

i used to play on pots and pans, and tap my foot on the ground for a bass drum sound, and id use different pieces of tubberware for toms. i did this for years before ever having even the worst quality drums to start with(a broken down sunlite)

That's dedication.

[bassist learning drums]

Originally Posted by MortalDrumbat

i used to play on pots and pans, and tap my foot on the ground for a bass drum sound, and id use different pieces of tubberware for toms. i did this for years before ever having even the worst quality drums to start with(a broken down sunlite)

If I played pots and pans, my Mom would play me behind!! I just had a "flashback". I was oh about 9 or 10. My uncle used to smoke Bugler. He gave me a bunch of empty cans. I remember playing on them with a "baseball bat" pen. Then a few years later, I bought my first bass.

[MrB]

When it comes to splash cymbals, don't go overboard on mounting them (I'm not one of the people that likes to mount their splashes inverted above other cymbals). I have used heavyweight, complex Yamaha arms, and now, I find I like the simple Gibraltar-style generic splash holder, as it weighs half as much, and costs about $10-30 less.

When I'm really lazy, I just use a second hihat clutch (what, $9?) and voila, splash on top of hats, and my crashes still have all the wiggle room they need.

[Reverend D.]

Saving money is a great idea. Whenever I need to fix something on my kit I don't go to the music store I go to my local hardware store.