subject: Selecting A Drum Set [print this page] There are many extracurricular activities that students can participate in. These activities help students develop a variety of skills, talents, and abilities that allow them to be very successful when they enter the adult world.
Some of the many extracurricular activities that these students can participate in include sports, music, and student government. While sports are very popular, music involvement can be one of the most rewarding experiences.
First of all, you child will get to choose the instrument that fits him or her. Each instrument has a different personality.
Flutes are usually very responsible, organized, and perfectionistic. Saxophones like to mess around and have fun.
They tend to have very bright personalities. No matter what you child chooses, he or she will enjoy the experience that is offered through their instrument.
Even though these instruments tend to have personalities that choose them, it does not mean your child has that personality as well. It is simply interesting to note that the majority of one personality type will choose one kind of instrument.
One of the instruments your child may choose is the drum. Drums have become increasingly popular with the rise of pop and rock music.
It is likely that your child will be very excited when you take him or her to purchase his or her first drum set. Your child may have waited a long time for this opportunity, or he or she may simply be excited at the opportunities that will be available to him or her as a drummer.
In the future, if your child practices, he or she may be able to join a reputable band, form his or her own band, become a part of the marching band, become a part of to pep band, or be involved in innumerable other opportunities. If you are letting your child choose his or her own drum set, then you will want to help channel his or her excitement into researching what kind of drums would be the best.
It will be important to choose a beginning set of drums. This will save you money in case your child decides to stop playing in the future.
Beginning drum sets generally are cheaper than more advanced drum sets. Even though you have narrowed down the selection this far, there are still many options available to you.
These sets also come with the drums you will need as a beginner. You can add other elements to your set as you become a more advanced player.
In a typical beginning drum set you should see a bass drum, snare drum, floor tom, and two mounted tom toms. Notice that the cymbals are not included in this set.
Drum manufacturers leave the specialization of manufacturing cymbals to other manufacturers. This means that you will also need to invest in a good set of cymbals even though they are separate from the drum set.
The best set of cymbals for beginners to start will include a 20" ride cymbal, 16" crash cymbal, and two 14" high hat cymbals. Most beginners prefer to purchase these cymbals as a combination of a crash/ride cymbal.
The two cymbals can also be purchased in the form of one piece of equipment. The combination sets are generally cheaper than buying the separate versions and are usually sufficient for a beginner.
In addition to the actual drums, you will want to make sure that the drum set comes with the pedals, "throne" and drum seat. These things are usually referred to as "hardware."
It is generally a good idea to go for a slightly more expensive drum pedal. You will save money in the long term because it has a significantly larger life span than the cheapest pedals.
New drum sets can be very expensive. As a result, you may want to look into purchasing a used set for when you are learning how to use the drums.
However, there are several things you should be aware of as you pick out a used drum set. The first thing you will want to check is how well the drum plastic is attached to the shell of the drum.
You also want to avoid air pockets by checking around the edges of the drum. There should also be not chipping along the bearing edge.
The drum head should also be in complete contact with the drum shell and level. Bent, broken, or dented drums should be avoided.
As you carefully select a drum set, you will be pleased with your choice. In no time, you will be a on your way to becoming a professional drummer.
