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Your intentions are good. You decide to buy a very, very “cheap” toy drumkit for your child ... you know, the kind that comes in a two-foot square box, costs about forty bucks, and is guaranteed to give hours of drumming pleasure. Well, the guarantee is quite true ... the drums will last for several hours ... and then will start to break and fall apart. A drumkit must endure heavy pounding, and unless the drums, connecting hardware, and pedals are of durable construction, a "toy" will not last long at all. This is not the child's fault. Drums take a pounding, and flimsy components will surely fail faster than you can count the money you thought you had saved!
If you are a beginner, you can buy an entry-level drum kit and an entry-level cymbal pack that is affordable, yet will still meet your needs.
Buy drums made by popular names. These brands will hold up best and will include a warranty. Compared to generic brands, the popular brands are a lot easier to get parts for and also have higher trade-in and resale values. In addition to brand names, always buy the best drum kit you can afford. Also make sure you purchase a good case to protect your investment!
Whether for convenience or value, it’s often a wise investment to consider purchasing a complete drum set, rather than individual pieces. Many drumkits are available in the standard "five-piece" configuration. Our on-staff drummers can explain this and other set-ups, especially helpful for beginners. However, a four, or even three, piece configuration may be suitable for some needs to get started. Some drumkits are sold in a complete package including stands, cymbals, pedals, thrones ... all you need at one, low price. Other drumkits are sold "without hardware", meaning that the drums themselves are priced as a unit, and you must add the stands, cymbals, pedals, and thrones in as a separate purchase. More advanced players may prefer thisoption to mix-and-match favorite brands and accessories. "Complete" packages tend to offer more of a savings ... especially at the toddler or beginner level! Plus, you don't need to agonize over making decisions in matters that may be outside of your experience.
Even youngsters and the most inexperienced beginners, need certain essentials to properly learn to play the drums. At the bare minimum, for your toddler to use a drumkit properly, you must have at least:
Some players may prefer two cymbals (other than the hihats). One is a "ride" cymbal which is used for continual rhythm playing. The other is the "crash" cymbal, used for the "big bang" accents throughout a song. One will do the job ... two are ideal. A ride cymbal is heavier, and some may not serve to double as a "crash" ... it depends on the nature of the cymbal.
If you are buying a drumset that isn't an entry-level set, BUY YOUR SNARE DRUM FIRST! This is the most important drum on your set and you should put as much money and quality into it as you can.
Avoid buying with your eyes. Just because the item you want looks cool and flashy doesn't mean it's the best SOUNDING instrument for you.
Make sure you buy good stands. Double-braced stands are the sturdiest and will undoubtedly stand up best to aggressive playing. Always invest in a good drum pedal.
If you feel like skimping on the throne (seat) ... please realize that if the player's feet cannot properly reach the kick and hi-hat pedals, half of the drumkit will be unplayable! Plus, the round, padded throne makes for a comfortable sit, and allows for the player to pivot as they reach for various drums and cymbals. (Make sure the throne is able to be set low enough for a short child ... some won't go that low ... in which case you may have to rig a seat at home using a short chair, or sawed-off stool.)
Written by Mary Nicole Hicks
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