subject: Why play electronic drums? [print this page] Why play electronic drums? Why play electronic drums?
Drummers are sometimes a bit stuck in their ways drums should be made of wood, cymbals should be round and made of bronze etc but at the end of the day are we as drummers now going through what guitar players or pianists went through when electric guitars or synthesizers came out. I believe we should embrace the technology not shy away from it as whatever you may think electronic kits are here to stay.
So, what are the benefits? Firstly the sounds on electric kits today are second to none you would need to spend a considerable amount on an acoustic kit to get it sounding like the sounds on an electronic kit something outside the budget of most people.
Need a new set of cymbals? OK ,save your hard earned pennies for a year or 2 and you may be able to buy some...Or... just press a button on your electronic kit and hey presto a new set of cymbals, or a cowbell, or anything you can think of really. Do you live in a flat? not a problem put the headphones on and practice until 3 in the morning without getting one a noise nuisance letter from the Council.
Need to work on playing to a click or want to play along to a track on your ipod? Not a problem press a button and you have a built in metronome or plug your ipod in and play away pretending you are your favourite drummer.
Do you play in a covers band and need loads of different drum sounds but don't want to lug around a Terry Bozzio sized kit? Not a problem you have numerous kits at your disposal. Record at home or in a studio without the need for expensive drum mics or record as a MIDI file and you can change the drums sounds at a later date.
If you're not convinced go to your local music shop and try a few out I think you may be pleasantly surprised (words; Duncan Rose)
