Drummer advice

[marky49]

Without being overly disrespectful of previous suggestions, i would purchase a Roland TD4 electronic set (if you can afford it) - this stuff is cutting edge technology, sounds great at low volumes and reacts with real kit sensitivity!
The band i play with, rehearse with a TD20, which is top of the line - very expensive - but allows us to rehearse without turning all our amps up to ear splitting gig levels! And our drummer LOVES it! He spends all night adjusting the sounds with a big smile on his face (cos the TD20 doesn`t belong to him)!!!

Believe me, even if you don`t have a talented young prodigy on your hands, your ears will THANK YOU!!!!

For a 3 year old boy? Are you talking of this http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Roland-TD4S-V-Compact-Electronic-Drum-Set?sku=580565 ?

[Fletch]

Well.....   YES!


If you are considering purchasing a `live` sounding real kit for a <10yr old i would say "bad idea" - firstly because they will not need to play at such volume for a LONG time and secondly because REAL GOOD kits are VERY expensive!

The TD series is not cheap, but VERY good value. The sounds + playablilty are incredible, the feel is spot on, and of course, what you will hear in your house will not make you shout "STOP PLAYING THAT RUBBISH!" .....lol

Honestly, even for a 3 yr old it is an investment that you won`t be disappointed in. But if you bought an entry level `normal` drum kit, its the sort of purchase you could seriously regret IF it were a fad.

Anyway you should do what seems best for your household - visit a local music shop and see a TD4 in action at all volumes and get the shop guy to play a real kit for you too, see what you think...

[marky49]

Thanks Fletch! Exactly this is our problem, how much should me spend? We went to a local music shop in London (Soho, Denmark Street) and a guy who is working there told us the same as you now. Very interesting and helpful! I first thought he wants to rip us off, but now...I don't think this anymore. Haven't told him then.  
I think we'll go for a real drums kit. But which one and what price range, I'm still confused here.
There is a great store not far from us http://www.propercussion.co.uk, but they will probably give us another opinion!  

On the other hand, if our son will be serious with the drums, he will torture us in the house, I hope not our neighbours too. How loud is an acoustic drum kit?

One more question, does the rule apply for drums as well: You'll get what you've paid for?

[Fletch]

P.s. I certainly don`t want to be disrespectful of Guys advice (& i`m acutely aware of doing so recently regarding his forum!) BUT....

As an average musician myself, i know from experience that it is MUCH easier to improve and be inspired when what you play FEELS GOOD and what you hear SOUNDS GREAT compared to most entry level instruments that can be (brutally speaking) less than inspiring.

Folks like MK and GF are INCREDIBLY talented individuals and would have developed their talents had they`d been given the crappiest load of wood and sticks available to modern man - Mere mortals like the rest of us, DESERVE and NEED to be given a helping hand when learning.... i say, help your youngster if you can afford to do so. I guess i equate this whole thread with someone who aspires to learning the Piano but only provides themselves with a dodgy 12" Casio toy to start with. Bad idea!

[Fletch]

How loud is an acoustic drum kit?

One more question, does the rule apply for drums as well: You'll get what you've paid for?

Very Loud! (go to a shop and get the assistant to play!)
And YES! lol, but don`t worry - just like guitars, you can get great sounding gear for reasonable prices these days.

good luck

[marky49]

Thank you, Fletch! Really appreciate your info.
Well, we'll go and visit another store and get the assistant play an acoustic and electronic kit. Listen to their advice. But I think my son is more into the real sound at the moment! 
I need to discuss it with his Daddy now and see what he wants to spend on it. But I'm worried already after the last gift...
Oh my dear, why not the guitar? 

[Waterline Man]

Hi Martina,
just reading the posts,
if it was me I'd be buying a cheap ( not plastic ) drum kit.In fairness the lad is only 3 so he might decide next week that he wants to play the violin or something & the drum kit is gathering dust until he has another lash at it after seeing the Cadburys advert on the tv.At least if its a cheap one it goes down to experience & if he really likes it then you can upgrade down the line.
I have four kids,three of which have gone past the 3yrs of age bracket & I've bought & searched the internet for stuff that I couldnt buy locally only to see it thrown in the playroom with the rest of the also ran's once they find another fad.
Just my opinion,but I wouldnt be forking out a fortune at this stage.

[marky49]

Yes, very good point too. Who knows what will happen next, and he comes up very soon with something different. I think we'll go for a real drum kit, but not for a fortune at this stage.
Thanks, Waterline Man!

[Rollergirl]

I totally agree with our man from the waterline. (I too am a tightfisted bitch  )

[Fletch]

Thank you, Fletch! Really appreciate your info.

No worries - I know your pain from two angles! First from playing and buying guitars / amps myself (i`ve learnt that its MUCH better to practice when what you hear sounds like the album!) and secondly from my own son (12yrs old) who agonized last year whether to learn drums or guitar... In the end he chose guitar, but meanwhile i learnt a lot! Plus, My rehearsals with the TD20 are nothing short of incredible - its true, we wouldn`t play live with them (although we probably could, but thats another story) - but the feel / sounds / NICE volumes are an absolute JOY!

I know your son is only three and if you think this is just a passing fad then go for the toyrus toy, but a real instrument like a TD4 is a keeper that will hold its value and always be an asset - like a 1954 stratocaster...... drool!

All the best - i do tend to rave on about these things!!!!! Music is good for the soul!

[marky49]

Thank you, Fletch! Really appreciate your info.

No worries - I know your pain from two angles! First from playing and buying guitars / amps myself (i`ve learnt that its MUCH better to practice when what you hear sounds like the album!) and secondly from my own son (12yrs old) who agonized last year whether to learn drums or guitar... In the end he chose guitar, but meanwhile i learnt a lot! Plus, My rehearsals with the TD20 are nothing short of incredible - its true, we wouldn`t play live with them (although we probably could, but thats another story) - but the feel / sounds / NICE volumes are an absolute JOY!

I know your son is only three and if you think this is just a passing fad then go for the toyrus toy, but a real instrument like a TD4 is a keeper that will hold its value and always be an asset - like a 1954 stratocaster...... drool!

All the best - i do tend to rave on about these things!!!!! Music is good for the soul!

You are right! It's so difficult to decide at the moment. And without any knowledge about drums even more difficult.
I'm more into acoustic guitars. I've both of MK's signature Martin and they are just great (and expensive too). I love to watch them and the sound is so different to my very first guitar which I still have. But you don't know which way he wants to go at the age of 3. We would certainly give him an asset...hmmm. Really a drag.

[Waterline Man]

I totally agree with our man from the waterline. (I too am a tightfisted bitch  )

lol

[marky49]

We are always into quality and we will buy a good but not too expensive kit. I think when we buy a very cheap one and it sounds crap, he will very soon lose interest in playing. So he won't get a Ferrari but a Mercedes... 

[ds1984]

So he won't get a Ferrari but a Mercedes...  

Like that one?  

Not sure it will fit as it is  a second hand car (although it probably cost much more than some Ferrari  - Mercedes are not so cheap after all )

[marky49]

So he won't get a Ferrari but a Mercedes...  

Like that one?  

Not sure it will fit as it is  a second hand car (although it probably cost much more than some Ferrari  - Mercedes are not so cheap after all )

Almost, but very close indeed.


And...no need of a driving licence in our garden.