I took the first step (drums)!

Racer88

Big Kahuna Admin
Staff member
Exchange Privileges
Joined
Feb 26, 2022
Messages
20,290
Reaction score
23,198
Points
168
Location
USA! USA!
For most of my life I've dreamed about playing drums. For most of my life I've admired drummers and been drawn to the primal nature of percussion. I've been tapping out beats on my steering wheel and using the dead pedal in my car as a "kick pedal" for the bass drum for as long as I've been driving. When I listen to a song, I'm paying attention to the drummer. When I see a live performance, that's who I watch the most.

I've researched kits extensively and have decided on what I want. Only challenge is the $$$. What I want is not cheap! So I'll have to wait... a while. But it will be worth the wait.

In the mean time.... I got this:

1764421320332.jpeg


And I'm watching tons of videos on YouTube.
 
I thought there was a drummer or two on the forum. But I can't remember, for sure.
 
See if this guy inspires your dreams... o_O


I've seen his videos. He's a machine. Not human. Fascinating to watch. But I dare say he overplays and would overwhelm a band. He loves those double bass rolls, eh?

My favorite, of course, is Neil Peart. But I like many others, including Mick Fleetwood, Stuart Copeland, Taylor Hawkins.
 
Vinnie Colaiuta is another great Drummer, as is Steve 'Smitty' Smith. Both are sublime at their craft.
 
Last edited:
Racer- go for it. It's never too late to pick up something you've always wanted to.
 
I think you should stay into firearm production. It doesn't enrage your friendly neighbors like drums do LOL. Best of luck and fast learning!
 
I think you should stay into firearm production. It doesn't enrage your friendly neighbors like drums do LOL. Best of luck and fast learning!

Well... I'll be getting an electronic kit, not acoustic. It wouldn't be a problem with neighbors (1-acre lots, so pretty far apart). I don't live in an apartment. ;) But it would be a problem with my wife, daughter, and two cats!
 
Last edited:
Nothing like a drum kit with a volume control....my folks would have embraced that. snort
 
Definitely a stress reliever.
The amount of Techno stuff now just boggles the mind.
I started life as a Classical Guitarist. Always loved the drums though.
I still run my Casio 2400 through my laptop with a program that allows me to assign different values/sounds or mix with the keyboards.
Have used electronic drums and practice pads. Loads of fun.

Good luck.
Its not always about the violence, but some times it is.
 
I've set up my "ultimate practice pad rig!" A few final pieces came as Christmas presents.

So, this is my "kit" for now.... until I get a real kit. But I can start learning with these practice pads... and use it for quieter practice after I get a real kit.

Practice-Pad-rig.jpg
 
DW3000- industry std kick pedal that's sublime. The Roc n Soc looks like a Pork Pie throne. very comfy.

Very good basic kit. Kick, snare, & Hi hat. Next you'll need a control pedal for open/closed hi-hat function, and then add a few cymbals (1 ride and 1 crash for starters).

Right now just that right there will have you focused on the foundation- so crucial. SO crucial.

You're on your way, Racer!!
 
Very good basic kit. Kick, snare, & Hi hat. Next you'll need a control pedal for open/closed hi-hat function, and then add a few cymbals (1 ride and 1 crash for starters).

Of course, these are just practice pads.

When I get a kit, it will have all the proper hardware... planning for DW5000 series hardware.
 

1-Day Drumeo review by a total noob​

I bought the Drumeo New Years "Digital Deal" yesterday. Normally, a year membership costs $240. They've got it discounted to $177 right now.

I've been diving into the site, and I must say it's IMPRESSIVE. There is a TON of resources.

I've started a lesson "pack" taught by the esteemed drummer Estepario Siberiano titled, "New Drummers Start Here" that's specifically aimed at those using a practice pad (no kit, yet!). It's very good and engaging. Plus he's just a funny guy. I went through three of his lessons last night. More to go.

As deep as Drumeo goes, I can see myself spending a lot of time there and for a long time to come. From what I can tell by browsing around the site extensively, they have a truly COMPREHENSIVE array of resources for drummers of ALL skill and knowledge levels... from knowing NOTHING about drums (how to set them up, how to grip sticks, and how to hit the drum) to expert level stuff.

From what I see in terms of lessons, specialty courses, clinics, challenges, scored songs to play along, song tutorials, rudiment drills, and more.... It would take YEARS to go through it all. Seriously... years.
Obviously, I'm working with zero experience and no basis for comparison to other online drum education sites or sources. But I'm very impressed with Drumeo, so far. And for $177 for a year's membership... that works out to $14.75 per month! A bargain by any measure.

A local drum instructor will cost nearly $100 / hour. Mind you, I do NOT begrudge the merit of that pay rate. And I will very likely do that as well, at some point in the future. Face-to-face and immediate FEEDBACK cannot be achieved by online lessons. But just to get me started, I think Drumeo was a good call.
 
So, have you started thinking of a cool name for your future band? Gotta put that thinking cap on and come up with something unique. ;)
Maybe we should start a contest "Name Racer's Band". Hey, don't laugh, it worked for Boaty McBoatface. 😯 OK, well maybe laugh. :ROFLMAO:
And there's always the Band Name Generator... šŸ˜‹
 
I'm on Day 3 of Week 3 in the "30-Day Drummer" course on Drumeo. So far, so good.

It's a LOT harder than people know. But it's going quite well for me, so far.

My set-up with practice pads... updated with a new Roland Laptop Stand. Much better! Rock solid.

Practice-Pad-Kit-with-Roland-computer-stand-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
Got some new additions delivered today! Time to level-up my practice pad kit!

I know that for what I spent here, I could have gotten a budget-level "real" kit. But I don't want that. Even after I do get a real kit, I'll still use this practice kit.

While I wait to get my dream e-kit (Roland VAD516)... other business expenses have taken priority for now... I wanted to set up as realistic practice kit that is ALSO as quiet as possible. I'm a beginner with about 1-month of Drumeo lessons under my belt.

While my practice pad "zone" approach worked for a while, it was proving to be limiting as I progressed through the Drumeo lessons.

So, this is what I've got so far. I've added a low-volume hihat and a crash-ride.

Practice-Pad-Kit-Update-Cymbals.jpg


But I think they are still a bit loud, and I like to practice late at night after wifey goes to bed. So, I added some rubber drawer liner to them. Seems to work, I think. We'll see.

Crash-Ride-Mute.jpg
Hihat-Mute.jpg


I'm still waiting on a couple of pieces to be delivered, including another Drumeo "PadStand" for the Drumeo 12-inch "QuietPad" you see on the floor to the right of the throne. That will be my "floor tom." I've also got one more low-volume cymbal on the way.

Having fun with it!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top