Hey ya- I know it's a geeky topic, I'm seriously thinking about putting a drumkit together when I get back home, so does anyone have any pearls of wisdom?
I've been a closet drummer for ages; when I write music it usually starts with a drum beat, I've been tinkering about with ideas for beats for years and I've been sitting in with some guys in London on the drums whenever their actual drummer leaves the room for a ciggie break, so I'm actually starting to get my chops together. But my technique is terrible and I'm exhausted after one song... I need to practise more!
Anyway, my heart tells me that the sound of the snare is where it all starts- I was planning on shopping around for a really characteristic one, then pulling the kit together around it.
I reckon I could probably get by for a few months (like a lot of drummers do) with a cool snare, a set of hats, a crash and a ride, while borrowing the rest for rehearsals and/or gigs... at least for a few months. It probably helps that I know plenty of drummers who probably wouldn't mind, esp. since they wouldn't need to risk lending me the parts that tend to suffer the most abuse (snare, hats, cymbals). Plus I could bribe them with beer.
Good plan? It will be crappy having to wait a while till I have a full kit, but I care too much about good sounding drums to just go for one of those plasticky beginners kits... maybe there's a different approach to this?
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As long as you don't go too cheap, ...
As long as you don't go too cheap, most drums can be tuned to sound good. I got a cheap Pearl Target kit (almost as cheap as they come without going for a 'rockshop kit'), slapped on some new skins and they sound sweet. The audience and many drummers won't be able to tell the difference between expensive shells and cheap ones as long as they are tuned well.
A good snare is important. It is like the heart of the kit. Its probably not worth going too crazy with price to start with as inevitably you will each a point were you think its not really what your after, but you won't know till you play around a bit. Trust your own judgement on what sounds good, everyone has different tastes. If you want something with a real 'crack' go for a steal snare, wood ones are a bit mellower.
Cymbals are where a lot of the cost is. I found you can't get past having some good hats and a crash. Cheap brands like Menl? still do a good job.
I would advise buying a complete cheap second had kit with passable shells, something like a pearl forum. Something with fairly solid hardware. Always plenty in the T&E.
Before you know it you will be thinking - hey this snare is weak, at that point you will have a better idea about the sounds you like. Also with all the cheap old gear you can stuff around with the tuning and adjusting the snare and not worry about breaking anything, so that when you get some good stuff you know what to do to make it sound it's best.
If you start with some good shells it is easy to upgrade with cymbals, new skins, and pedal. If the snare that comes with the kit is ok, I would first buy skins, then a crash, then hihats, then whatever else you think you need. A good bass pedal can make a difference. I still have a cheap heavy ride and it seems to do the job.
As for tired arms - try warming up, and stretch before playing - this makes a big difference. Training on a practise mat can be really good. It would pay to get a couple lessons just to focus on the way you hit and the way you hold the sticks. You want to let the bounce lift the stick so all you are really doing is using strength to hit and not to lift - also try playing more from the wrists - its more economical. Make sure you’re not hunched up, keep your elbows low, back straight, and relax. You might find the more relaxed you are the harder you can play without needing to put in the same effort. Also don't grip the sticks too hard. Try playing slightly softer and work up to harder hitting.
Cool- cheers for the advice re shells, ...
Cool- cheers for the advice re shells, I reckon that's exactly right- in the studio with the nice condenser mics and valve compressors, the extra grand you spent on toms made from illegally milled rimu will probably be audible to you, but not so much to your average punter or through the PA on-stage... but a good snare, that can change the sound of the whole band. I remember a band I was in ages ago, the drummer had just bought himself a new 13" aluminium snare- the sound was honestly like the missing piece of the band, every other instrument sounded better somehow. Totally worth every cent.
As for those practise tips, that's exactly what I meant- my stance is all wrong, I thump the bejesus out of the sticks without a trace of finesse or style, I put way too much energy into basic patterns, no dynamics or control, just big beats full volume all the time... but I think some of the stuff I've taught myself on the guitar might be transferrable, like 'economy of movement', just through studying my own playing and working out what doesn't help the stick make the noise I want... y'know? Or I could cheat and get some lessons... ;-)
Sounds like your on the right track and ...
Sounds like your on the right track and it sounds like you know what you are doing wrong. As long as you can analyse yourself with some objectivity you get there. I rekon you can't go wrong with a couple of lessons though, it's worth doing, otherwise you can get into some bad habits. With drumming being so repetative and physical it is easy to get a bit of damage.
It is is worth taking a little time to do some drum exercises too. Helps heaps in developing dynamics, coordination and control. Just with any instrument. A little bit regularly makes a huge difference.
End of the day the most important thing with drumming in a band is to get a good groove going and keep good time. It does not have to be fancy, it just needs to sound good and convincing.
You'll find in time you will naturaly adjust your playing to be more 'musical', and you also develop a better drumming ear.
<digression> I had the privilege of ...
I had the privilege of seeing David Garibaldi with Tower of Power about a year ago. That guy is outrageously talented.