MY FIRST DRUMSET

IT'S TIME TO PLAY GET STARTED THE RIGHT WAY!

A GUIDE TO BUYING YOUR FIRST DRUMSET

THE RHYTHM IS IN YOU
The right gear is essential for setting it free. Here are some things to look for when buying your first drumset:

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE
What To Look For:
• Bass Drum
• Snare Drum
• Mounted Tom(s)
• Floor Tom
• Hardware/Stands
• Cymbals
• Drum Throne
• Sticks

Click any bullet for more info:

TESTIMONIALS What My First Drumset Did for Me

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO I NEED A COMPLETE DRUMSET?

Sub-par or incomplete equipment only make the beginning stages of any skill or craft more difficult.
Drumming is all about fun and embracing new challenges in performance.
Putting all the tools in the hands of the player from the beginning will create a solid foundation to build on.
Furthermore, a complete drumset also serves to inspire young players to use it to its fullest and even look beyond the boundaries of his/her own skill level.

WHY ARE THERE DIFFERENT PRICES ON THE SAME
NUMBER OF DRUMS?

Like buying a car or computer, materials, workmanship, and brand reputation are the main factors that drive pricing in your drum purchase.
Certain drum packages cater not only to personal taste and musical style, but also to performance and skill level.

WHAT ABOUT LESSONS?

Not much can replace the value of personal, private drum instruction. Though our TIME TO PLAY video series is a good place to start, getting involved with a lesson program and learning from a qualified instructor will accelerate a student's playing forward to a vastly greater degree.
Consult your local musical instrument dealer for the best local lesson options. Most have exceptional programs in-house, or can recommend local teachers and players that will more than fit the bill!
Check out our tutorial on the basic Snare Drum Rudiments here.
Also check out 100 free rudiment lessons, demonstrated by various Pearl Drums Artists, on Pearl's YouTube channel.

WHAT ABOUT THE NOISE?

No doubt, being the parent of a drummer takes some patience. Here's some tips for getting ahead of the curve:
Tell The Neighbors - Inform the neighborhood in advance, they'll be a lot more understanding.

Establish a "Quiet Curfew" and let the neighbors know all playing will stop after that point every night.

Mute the Kit - Simply throwing some towels over each drum can cut attack and volume.

Quiet Tone Practice Discs - Highly-responsive foam rubber overlay pads that reduce volume without muting the experience.

Mute the Room - There are many DIY solutions for shielding sound within a room.

Using simple items like heavy blankets or carpet to line the walls in a room is a quick solution
A minimal investment in some light building materials and a little extra time can turn a bedroom into a studio-quality drum dojo.
Check out YouTube for some suggestions that might be right for you.

Protect Yourself - Your hearing is important. Always use earplugs or sound-isolating headphones when playing.

HOW DO I KEEP MY CHILD MOTIVATED TO KEEP PLAYING?

School Band Programs - The more drummers are actively engaged in playing with other musicians, the more they will want to excel.

Talk with your child's school guidance counselor about options that best fit your child's personality, and meet with the Band Director about other programs offered.

Take Lessons - An instructor can set goals and guide the new player to entirely new directions.
Online Videos and Forums - Check out Pearl's video archive for inspiring and instructional video content.

The Pearl Drummer's Forum is the largest online community of drummers on the web, and allows players of every skill level to network, discuss, and share ideas.

Invite, Encourage, Ignite! - Set playing and performance goals, encourage daily practice, and communicate improvement when you hear it!

ONCE I BUY THE DRUMSET, HOW DO I SET IT UP?

Check out Pearl's TIME TO PLAY video series for step-by-step assembly instructions, lessons, and tutorials on tuning and warming up!

WHICH SET IS BEST FOR ME & WHERE DO I BUY?

Here is a GOOD/BETTER/BEST comparison of Pearl drumsets for your review.

Good

ROADSHOW SERIES
Recommended for:
Beginning/Student Players
Great for learning and light gigging.

The Skinny:
Comes with everything needed to get started. True to Pearl's reputation for quality and durability, all drums and hardware offer features far above their price tag.

The Dough:
Street pricing from $379.00
to $499.00 complete

WHERE TO BUY

Better

EXPORT SERIES
Recommended for:
Next-Level Players.
Great for gigging and local touring.

The Skinny:
Export is the best-selling drumset of all time, and it's easy to see why. Features include high-quality Poplar-Mahogany shell, upgraded hardware, and a variety of wrapped and lacquer finishes.

The Dough:
Street pricing from $649.00
to $749.00 w/ hardware

WHERE TO BUY

Best

MASTERS SERIES Recommended for:
Experienced Professionals. Great for extensive touring and recording.

The Skinny:
Premium Birch or Maple shells with exotic Artisan II lacquer finishes and high-performance appointments make Masters Series an investment-worthy destination for true professionals.

The Dough:
Street pricing from $1,499
to $1,799 for tom/kick shell packs

WHERE TO BUY

DRUMMING = GENIUS

Recent Case Studies on the Benefits
of a Percussive Education.

BRIAN FRASIER MOORE
(Justin Timberlake)

INTELLIGENCE & PROBLEM-SOLVING
Scientists state drummers are natural intellectuals, linking rhythmic sense with problem-solving brain function. MORE ►

MENTAL FOCUS & FUNCTION
Study suggests rhythmic study may treat neurological conditions including A.D.D. and depression. MORE ►

RHYTHM OR RITALIN?
IQ scores increase after boys with ADD are tested following rhythm therapy.
MORE ►

COOPERATION & TEAM BUILDING
People who sing or move in rhythmic unison work together more cooperatively. MORE ►

PAIN TOLERANCE & POSITIVITY
Drummers have higher pain tolerance and higher levels of positive emotions. MORE ►

HIGHER TEST PERFORMANCE
SAT scores were dramatically higher from students with experience in music performance than students with no experience in the arts. MORE ►

CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS
Furthermore, here's a great article from Musical Mommy Blogger Laura Lamere for parents of new drummers! MORE ►

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