New Member - 45 yr. old wants to play!

[steeringwheeldrummer]

Hello,

I just found your forum and signed up. I'm one of those guys that has always wanted to play the drums but never got around to it. The closest I came was in 7th grade when I tried out for band - the drums of course, and made it thru the first two trials, but failed the 3rd, so I played the trumpet for a couple of years.

Now, at 45, I'm tired of playing the steering wheel! I've never known anyone close or anyone who had the time (or a spare drum set!) to learn from. Can anyone suggest a good resource for a cheap set to start out with? Is it possible to try to learn on my own? I want to play bad enough to dedicate the time practicing... I don't have a hobby or anything as an aside from work so I want to learn before I'm 50... or older!

Thanks for any advice or resources.

HO

[littledenny]

Welcome to the same boat. I'm 54, and just bought a set of exports- to get back to drumming after not playing since high school. I'm additionally challenged by being very tall, and left handed. ( so, I'm taking other's suggestions in stride about setups, reach, playing openhanded -- and working on the principal of doing what feels right for me.)

I bought a set of exports (just before I learned that Pearl was discontinuing them) since my thinking was to get a less expensive set with more drums so that I could experiment a little before I invested in a high end set that I might not like. This way, I can make all my mistakes and figure out what I really want. (And I'll donate this set to some young up and comer when I get good enough to want a better set.)

I'm sure you'll get all kinds of suggestions, including buy a good, used set, get a teacher, and take lessons, etc. I'll spare you all that advice, since I'm only a few months ahead of you.

But, I will offer you all kinds of encouragement to go for it, and try something you've obviously wanted to do for a long time. Take the frustrations in stride, learn from your mistakes, and above all, have fun with it. I'm having a riot with my new kit.

[2bsticks]

If there is a music shop in your town give them a call. Ask if they have a drum teacher. Go in and take a few lessons, the teacher should have a drum set and pads in there. See if you really want to pursue drumming. After couple of lessons talk to the teacher about a second hand kit. Also eBay is a great source for used kits as well as Craigslist. You also have this forum that has lots of great people to help assist you before you purchase a kit.

Best of luck and were here to help.

[Lynchie]

Great to hear that you're looking to play. I'm 47 and have had a kit since I was 20. Of course that doesn't mean I'm an expert (just got my drums back from a 5 year loan but that's another story...). I signed up for a lesson tonight just to get back into it. This would be my suggestion to get started once you get a kit....Set up a stereo behind your kit. Play some of your favorite songs and just bang away! I did this for years and loved it. Once you master some basic beats (or before) get a few lessons and take it as far as you want. There are some classic rock songs that I don't even know the lyrics to but do know the basic drum beats. Bang away and you'll be hooked!

[zambizzi]

I'm happy for you, you're starting off on a life-changing experience which you're never too old for.

I was in the same place about 1.5 yrs. ago. I went to the local drum shop and picked out a beginner's kit and I checked out Craigslist for locals giving drum lessons. I found a great guy who I've been taking lessons from since then and have been practicing every night ever since.

There's nothing to it but to get started! I'd highly recommend getting lessons for at least the first year, if you decide to stick with it.

A good drum kit to get started with would be something like a Yahama Ryadeen, Pearl Forum Series, or a Gretsch Catalina. These are all kits that sound really good and are a great bang for your buck...and you'll be able to grow into them, but not out of them until you *want* a new kit. As for cymbals, you can't go wrong w/ a boxed set like Zildjian ZXT, Paiste Alpha, etc. You'll probably upgrade cymbals before you need a new drum kit.

Good luck and welcome!

[mikei]

Welcome,

I took up the drums 3 years ago at the age of 35!

I am having the time of my life.

I recently started assembling a band, and have had a great time.

It is amazing just how quickly you progress. Especially if you practice hard and practice smart.

As far as buying equipment, eBay seems to be a great place. I have bought 3 sets off of eBay and haven't yet had a bad experience. Very good prices.

Best of luck in your quest to become a drummer by 50. You wont regret it, I promise you!

[DansNutz]

I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm 31 and have wanted to play for a long time now. Played saxophone in highschool.

I just purchased my first set this weekend. Got a very nice tama swingstar set. Should suffice for my first set. Got a great deal from ebay. If you don't find anything at your local music store I would say ebay is a great place to go.

[Dr.Hook]

All the kits that have been mentioned are great kits, i'll throw in the Ludwig Accent Como.
Cheap, and with some good heads sounds pretty decent.

I started playing seriously last year at the age of 39, was a professional air drummer for 20years before that! I'm now in a band, and am preparing to start doing some gigs with the boys.

IMO, any of the begginer kits from the well established name brands will do you fine, same for cymbals.
How much effort you put into it is up to you, but drumming seems to be a REAL catchy bug and once you start you just can't stop. Before you know it, you're playing the kit pretty decently.

Best of luck finding a kit, and have fun!

[mind_drummer]

I was in the same boat three years ago at age 35. I had played little bit when I was teen and little bit before the birth of my daughter but nothing more than 8 month total. Then in 2005, I have done a computer network installation contract and I decided to keep half of the contract money to buy my first drum set. I have decided (unfortunately) to buy brand new because I like new stuff i went with a TAMA Swingstar which was within my budget, I knew that TAMA had good sounding quality products and I knew that I wasn't going to be pro and if I couldn't make that drum kit sound good with my playing, I wouldn't make any better intermediate/pro kit sound good.

Now this being said, you can find very good deal on excellent intermediate kit (often with good cymbals) on eBay or Craigslist which will cost about the same as brand new entry level kit.
If you are like me and like brand new stuff (except I dont mind getting used cymbals) then look at MAPEX M Birch which IMO is still the best bang for your buck, then there the new PREMIER CABRIA XPK which is an all Maple set with die cast hoops (very expensive normally), DDRUM Dominion, TAMA Superstar, PEARL Vision, SONOR 2007/3007, PDP X7, LUDWIG Accent. Go out and try as many of them as you can and trust your ears. As for cymbals, now there the best advice that I didn't folllow but I live with it. Go for good one first, if not you will find yourself replacing them sooner than expected. Remember you can make a crappy drum set sound good with good heads & tuning but you cant make crappy cymbals sound good.

The brand & series of cymbals to look for are Sabian AA or higher (the new Xs20 could be a good compromise though), Zildjian A' or higher, Paiste Alpha or higher and Meinl Classics or higher. Again if you're tight on budget then there's cymbals from Stagg & Dream that could really be considered (I know many love their Dream cymbals and replaced their Zildjian K's for them but they aren't for most people taste).

When you'll be set then ask us what are the pros & cons of your choices.

Good luck and have fun in your futur exploration of rhythms.

[harryconway]

I just found your forum and signed up....
Can anyone suggest a good resource for a cheap set to start out with? All the sets mentioned will do the job well. If you're not opposed to used gear, consider it. A beginner kit "used" will run you 1/2 to 2/3 the price of new. Because almost everyone starts out with one and most people move up to better equipment in a few short years. If older, or "vintage" is your thing, There are plenty of affordable Ludwig, Rogers, Tama, Yamaha, etc. high-end kits out there. With a few miles on them, but they could also prove to be keepers. Welcome to Drummerworld. Keep reading and asking questions. I'm additionally challenged by being very tall Think like Mick Fleetwood
and left handed. and set up like Rod Morgenstein or Ian Paice. Or set up like a "rightie" and learn yourself to be ambidextrous.

[zambizzi]

Oh yeah! I forgot all about ddrum - if I were starting all over today, I'd buy a dominion maple kit...that's probably the best bang-for-buck kit out there...they sound great!

http://cgi.ebay.com/07-DDRUM-DOMINION-MAPLE-Pocket-SHELL-DRUM-SET-IRON-DUST_W0QQitemZ310022933441QQihZ021QQcategoryZ38097 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DDRUM-Dominion-DM22-Natural-Maple-Shell-Kit_W0QQitemZ110224472263QQihZ001QQcategoryZ38097Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DDRUM-RED-Redburst-Dominion-ash-pocket-drum-kit_W0QQitemZ180217069319QQihZ008QQcategoryZ38097Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...that last one's hot!

[Les Ismore]

Is it possible to try to learn on my own?

There's a ton of lessons on the web for free, here's just one example : http://www.youtube.com/user/onlinedrummer

Search you tube 'drum lessons'.

[Rickk]

Yes!!!! Do it!!!! I will be 45 next month and having the most fun playing drums, getting better each day. and Drummerworld is an excellent resource to learn from.

[weldflash]

Well, I'm onboard the same boat you guys are in too. I'm a 52 year old woman that has always loved drums and watched the drummers over the other musicians in bands so I took the plunge this past December. I bought myself a Christmas present, a brand new set of Yamaha Rydeens and set them up in my living room.

I've been lurking here since late last fall, but now that I consider myself a drummer, I've decided to join up in the conversation a little. I play almost every day and can really see the improvement almost every day. I come home from work and turn the stereo on and play to the radio or put on a CD and play to that. It's a blast. And it's a great stress reliever also.

Last weekend I put some new Aquarian coated Studio X heads on my toms and they sound great. My bass came with a Superkick II on it which I love. I bought a used Sabian HHX stage ride and I'm borrowing a friends Sabian Hand Hammered hi-hats and a HHXplosion crash. Also bought myself a Roc-n-Soc throne so I'm sitting pretty now.

If anybody has that yearning to play drums, I say go for it, no matter how old you are. I'm not sorry I did it. Life is short. Go for it.

Also gotta say, you guys have helped me immensely already, just by reading almost every thread on this forum. You're a wealth of information and quite friendly and ready to help.

Great site, Bernard.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

All young puppies. I'll be 60 in a week and started again after 32 years off, 2 years ago. Much more fun the second time around. And before you ask, I haven't found one retailer that gives a senior discount. There are a gazillion posts on everything drumming here, Enjoy the reading.

[Tryitagain]

Welcome aboard! I just turned 44 last month. I started playing again 2 years ago after about 15 years off.

I'll let the others discuss equipment... it's hard to find a concensus on that topic anyway, which is perfectly OK...

The best advice I could give is to remain enthusiastic; keep it fun. Take it seriously, but not TOO seriously, or you could burn out (like I did years ago).
Don't get discouraged and be patient. Be prepared to face the fact that the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know.

It's an endless journey; no one "finishes" learning to play drums.

Good luck!