Drummer question.... ;)

[Rich]

How do I start my 5 year old?? She has been beating a junky "kids" kit from "Wal-mart" for the last 2 years.... Now, she wants to "learn" to play. I'm NOT a drummer.

Should I get her a "real" kids kit? A normal size, cheap kit? (She's tiny.)

????????????????????

Any ideas, help.... Anything would be great. I'd like her to keep playing.

Thanks

[DrumAndDestroy]

i wouldn't spend too much money on a kids kit...i used to play with vaccum cleaners a lot when i was that age.

now you can't pay me to use one

[Rich]

I understand.... But that stuff you buy as a "toy" isn't, IMO, very good. As far as "true to form"... Ya know??

I just want her to keep her interest in it.... I think if she want to do it. Than let her. But "teach" her the right way on the "right" gear. Bad habits are hard to break...

[DrumAndDestroy]

i know there is a ludwig junior drumset for cheap. not sure where you can find one locally...

[Lifer]

Tama Stage star kits are fairly priced

[DirtySanchez]

i wouldn't spend too much money on a kids kit...i used to play with vaccum cleaners a lot when i was that age.

now you can't pay me to use one

HA!

[Brian of the Clan Plush]

I wouldn't be too worried about her picking up bad habits at age 5. I'd say you have about 3 more years before you need to get her started on rudiments - right now I'd focus on just giving her the opportunity to build her natural rhythm and maybe just begin developing some "natural" independence (having her hands and feet act independently of each other).

At age 5, I think the most important thing is to keep it feeling like fun, and not a chore. I think involving her in picking out the kick will go a LONG way in that. Find a variety of "real" and "toy" kits that are within your price range and then have her pick the one she likes - it'll probably be based on color or whatever, but as long as there's a kick, snare, toms, cymbals and a hi-hat, it will serve the purpose.

Is the Wally World kit hampering her? Is SHE unhappy with it or losing interest? If not, I wouldn't waste your money.

[Rich]

She has used the kick since day one. She knows "what's, what"....

The band I was in used to practice at my house. She was always playing the "big" kit. Or if we went to "the practice" place... But of course, it was to big. Her arms and legs aren't long enough yet. But she "gets it"... It was kinda funny to watch her jump up and down of the throne to work the kick.... Now, SHE wants a real drum set.... But she plays the kick, snare and high-hat....

The OTHER kit is a "toy"... And is actually falling apart.

And plus it's fun to her. When I'm playing bass, she always want to jam with her dad. She's always down stairs hammerin' away at them!!

[Banned]

Sonor has some nice cheap kids kits..... go to www.sonor.de .....to check them out

[MatchstikDrummer]

I ran into the same issuue with my 5yr old boy in September...I bought him a ludwig junior kit off of Musician's friend...It cost me $270 but hearing him play his first actual beat on it was priceless and made it all worth it....I would do it all again in a heartbeat....In my opinion you can never give them the proper tools too early...You should show her that if she's gonna show interest you are gonna support her...here is the link if it's what you decide to do.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=447702

[RobTheDrummer]

The best thing would be to get her private lessons, but only do that when she grasps the concept of playing. Right now she would be in that early stage of noodling around and having fun with it. Eventually, you want her to learn rudiments and all that, but it's a little early for that yet.

[xero380]

This is definately a little girl that has full interest in drums. When we'd be practicing, if I wasn't sitting behind the drums she was. If she sticks with it she will definately be a talented female drummer without a doubt in my mind. Just by seeing how eager she was to play and knows what everything is and all would show anyone enough motivation from her to believe in this.

[HurricaneBob]

This is great! I remember the feeling i had when i was little about drums.
You just know when a kid has it in them, some never lose interest and practice all the time. Sounds like shes here to stay on the kit!
As far as gear, some great entry level kits out there.

[DrumAndDestroy]

i wish i would've started drums earlier in life.

i only started cuz finding a permanent drummer (well...one that could drum the way we wanted) for my old band was next to impossible. hung up the guitar...no complaints!!

[bsaller]

IMHO The proper way is to get her an instructor and a snare drum kit or practice pad. If she keeps showing interest, then pick up an entry level or jr. kit.
Of course you don't have to be proper, but take it from a guy who has played for 40yrs. and still regrets not learning my rudiments and proper stick control that the lessons will pay off!

[Trucula]

At times Musicians Friend has Pearl kits starting at 199, and often include package deals with a seat and cymbals (at times)... You know the ol saying.."You get what you pay for"...So if you want it to last, don't be afraid to spend alittle. She'll go thru 2 cheap sets for the price of what you'd get a low-grade name brand set for.
I remember my first set...Very cheap...like a Muppet Babie's type set...LOL...Had 2 toms wing nutted on side of the ba drum and one cymbal with rivets on it...I use to play along with a record player and take the kit apart, pack it on my bed (my pretend van) and drive to the next pretend concert and set it up again. Over and over!!...Can't beleive I practiced the movng part!...Might be why I hate that part now!...I think its mostly because I watched bands when I was small tearing down after a night at the Hill Valley Hotel and amazed how it all went into cases.. I have a step daughter thats on my kit every chance she gets. She's stubborn so its hard to show her anything (7 going on 17). So I just let her do her thing. But I trick her with a challange.. Like they said...Its all about fun...Don't make it hard or they give up. Just sneak in a challange to them...Its makes them work and try without knowing it.

[morningangel]

I think it's great to start them young! Just don't forget EAR PROTECTION!

[DrumAndDestroy]

I think it's great to start them young! Just don't forget EAR PROTECTION!

come again now?

[Mikey Wax]

I plan on getting my boys a kit soon. Not sure about lessons right away though. I'd like to see if they'll be interested for more than 5 minutes. I think my oldest will. He's already banging the shit out of pots and pans at 17 months old.

[orangekick]

I gave my kid a floor tom and a pair of sticks. His favorite thing to do is to bang on the drum and scream.

[jangel]

I plan on getting my boys a kit soon. Not sure about lessons right away though. I'd like to see if they'll be interested for more than 5 minutes. I think my oldest will. He's already banging the shit out of pots and pans at 17 months old.

Hey Mikey I know where there is a partial set setting around.....

[songsmith]

There's a kiddy-kit at The Emporium that kinda bridges the gap between toy and Tama. It's an import, but it actually doesn't sound too bad... and seeing a Berklee-trained Eric Wertz sitting on the little stool with the little half-size sticks, playing a funk beat... Priceless. He looked like Baby Huey. ------>JMS

[Mikey Wax]

I plan on getting my boys a kit soon. Not sure about lessons right away though. I'd like to see if they'll be interested for more than 5 minutes. I think my oldest will. He's already banging the shit out of pots and pans at 17 months old.

Hey Mikey I know where there is a partial set setting around.....

HAHA.... I'll be down tonight.

[Rich]

Thanks everyone... You've been a big help...