How long is each drum lesson?
Drum lessons are 30 minutes in length.
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How often should I have drum lesson?
Most students take one lesson per week.
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How much should I practice?
Successful students will practice a minimum of 30 minutes EVERY day, including lesson day (Sunday may be an exception), and complete all homework assignments and exercises promptly. I will inform the parent if I feel a student is not practicing sufficiently.
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How much do drum lessons cost?
When do I pay for lessons?
Tuition for a 30 minute drum lesson is $25.
Tuition is due on the first lesson of each month. 24 hours notice is required for all cancellations, or to reschedule a lesson. Any missed lessons not canceled or rescheduled 24 hours prior to the lesson will be charged in full.
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What equipment do I need to get started?
To learn how to play drums, you really don't need a full drum set to begin with. I've found it's easier to start the beginning student on one surface (one drum or practice pad) first and then progress to two surfaces, three and then onto a full kit. Learning the basics can't be stressed enough and it's usually much easier to gauge a student's true interest by how well he does on one drum - and plus the investment is a little easier on the pocket book.
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If I don't yet have a drumset, what is the minimum equipment I should get?
1. A pair of 2B Practice Sticks
2. A 12" Practice Pad
3. A Digital Metronome
4. A 3-Ring Binder
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When should I buy a drum? / How do I buy my first drum set?
A drum set should be purchased ONLY when you or your child are serious about the instrument. Buying a drum set is an expensive and daunting task that can be very confusing with all the brands, types, sizes, levels, configurations and accessories. When the time comes to take the leap, I am here to provide advice and offer help.
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What make of drums should I buy?
Much like automobile manufacturers, drum manufacturers offer many makes and models which include different series within the models. The main three series offered from the major drum companies are Beginning, Intermediate and Professional. Beginning kits and Intermediate level kits are mass produced and are therefore cheaper than their handmade, Professional counterparts. Sticking to a reputable company means even their Beginning level series will be of good quality. I've been playing Taye drums since 2005 and have never had a problem with their sound or quality. Other reputable companies include: Pearl, Tama, Gretcsh, Sonor, Ludwig, Mapex and PDP. I recommend steering clear of the cheap sets offered for $200-$300. A good Beginning or Intermediate series set should run between $500 and $1000 new.
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What size drum set should I buy?
I recommend buying a 5 piece drum set to start out with. Most of the companies I mentioned above offer their Beginning and Intermediate series sets in a 5 piece configuration. This refers to the number of drums in the set and not the cymbals, hardware or other accessories. A 5 piece drum set includes a bass drum, snare drum, two mounted toms and a floor tom. When purchasing a 5 piece kit, it should include the following hardware: snare stand, hi hat stand, crash cymbal stand, mounted tom holder, ride cymbal stand and bass drum pedals. Drum thrones and cymbals typically are not included when buying a new set. I'll touch on cymbals a little later.
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What configuration should my drum set be (e.g. how many drums)?
The main two configurations that are available when purchasing a 5 piece set are Standard and Fusion. This refers to the diameter and depths of the drums. Standard sized kits have larger sized toms (12", 13" and 16") whereas Fusion sized kits have smaller toms (10", 12" and 14".) Usually Standard kits have a floor tom with legs and Fusion kits have a mounted floor tom. The bottom line here is personal preference. I recommend going to a large music store like Guitar Center or Sam Ash and playing some of their drums to get a feel for the difference. You can also base your decision on what your favorite drummer plays! One is not better or worse than the other.
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What type of shells should I buy?
Wood type plays a huge role in drum sound. The two most popular wood types are maple and birch. Maple offers a resonant, warm sound and birch provides a more controlled sound with focused attack and low end. Oak and other more exotic woods are also offered but usually not in the Beginning and Intermediate series. Some of the lower series drums offer sets with mixed wood types. If the set is from a reputable manufacturer and provides the desired sound, that is all that matters. Personal preference again is key in the decision making process.
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What type of finish should I buy?
The two types of finishes on drum sets are wraps and lacquers. Wraps are laminates that are glued to the drum shell whereas lacquered shells are stained and finished with a clear coat. Lacquered sets tend to cost more due to the manufacturer's costs in making them. Wrapped sets can come unglued and warp if left out in the sun but they can resist dings better than a lacquered set. Lacquered sets look beautiful, but can scratch and ding easier. Personal preference plays a huge role in deciding your first drum set's color and finish.
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What kind of cymbals should I buy?
Cymbals also come in different makes, models and series. I recommend a good entry level cymbal pre-pack from a reputable company like Zildjian, Sabian or Paiste. It should include 14" hi hats, a 16" crash cymbal and a 20" ride cymbal. Additional cymbals and stands can be purchased as add-ons later! Typically a decent cymbal pre-pack runs just under $300.
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