Pinelands Music Academy offers private one-on-one drum lessons on site at our location in Medford Lakes, NJ
Introduction to Drums
Although not as common, the drums play a key, integral part in an ensemble’s lineup. Whether it be classical, orchestral, jazz, pop, etc., The drums are a fun, challenging instrument to play. If you would like to book a lesson, you can do so by contacting us via the form on this website, or continue reading for our guide to basic or common questions for prospective students.
When should an individual begin drumming/studying drums?
While you can start a student at an elementary school age to play the drums, it is best to wait for a student to be around the age of 8 or older to start playing drums. Plenty of drummers started around the age of 4 or 5, but our staff recommends that students wait to be closer to the age range of 8 to 10.
Are there physical issues that can occur with drums? If so, what & how can prevent them?
When students begin their drum tutelage at a slightly older age, they are prone to be more mentally and physically developed which will allow them to reach and physically play the drums at a higher caliber. It will help to more easily implement proper technique and posture, especially when the student has an easier experience reaching all parts of their instrument and grasping the ambidextrous nature of the instrument.
While it is normal to hear about cramps, blisters, and other physical ailments, there are easy remedies to fix these common issues. It is common that the student should, based on comfort and the size of their hands, find a proper stick for them. With the proper stick they will be able to properly grasp it in order to prevent discomfort. Once the student gets a feel for the unlacquered drumsticks & bass drum pedal, calluses will build up on both their hands and feet, thus eliminating many future ailments.
Drums are loud, what are the easiest ways to make them quieter?
Aside from putting the drums in a strategic position in your home, various sound reducing drumheads are available. One of which is the Silent Stroke head by Remo which reduces over 70 to 80% of the acoustic drum sets sound. You can also get cymbal dampeners to cut the sound of cymbals. Another popular solution is to purchase an electronic drum set.
What drum set should I buy?
While there are a plethora of student drum sets, there are also smaller club size kits that students can play while not breaking the bank. Three great inexpensive options are Sound Percussion kits, Ludwig Accent kits, & Tama Metro Jam kits, all listed below. Most of these kits are very affordable and check all the boxes for a beginning drummer. Some beginner drum sets are more expensive due to their inclusion of hardware (cymbal stands, Tom mounts or mounting systems, bass drum pedals, etc.) and cymbals. These kits are the most desirable as they will have the necessities needed to both play drum set and rudimentary snare drum.
Sound Percussion Tama Metro Jam Accent by Ludwig