History and Information about the Drum Kit
The drum, the most common type of percussion instrument, is one of the oldest instruments. The first drums were made of animal skins stretched over a frame of wood or bone. Today, most drums are made of a combination of skins, resins, metals, and woods. The most drum instruction takes place on the drum kit, which includes the snare drum, bass drum, tom-toms, and cymbals. Since the drums have been around for so long, there is an expansive repertoire of music to learn. You will have access to genres such as classical, blues, pop, rock, jazz, and folk when you learn how to play the drums.
When to Start on the Drum Kit
You can start drum kit lessons as young as age 4 or 5, depending on a student’s dexterity and size, some are able to pick it up earlier. Students also should have begun to read and count, as most instructors will be teaching them how to read music very early on, if not right away.
Getting a Drum Kit
Please call us for a recommendation of a store from which you can purchase or rent a drum kit. Often when students are starting out, instructors will recommend a drum pad instead of a full drum kit, as the kit is costly and takes up a lot of space. For very young students, it is also recommended to rent instruments for two reasons: 1) they will most likely grow out of instruments quickly and 2) they may lose interest (although we hope they don’t!). Most stores will provide repair services for instruments that they rent out.
Purchasing Books and Supplies for Your Drum Kit
Most books and many supplies such as drum sticks are available online. Give us a call for a local store recommendation. Your instructor can tell you which books and supplies are appropriate or needed.
**Feel free to call us at 631-476-8946 with any questions you may have. We can help you find the best stores or dealers in your area and provide you with additional resources.