Gift for a drumming PLF

March 5, 2007 1:39 PM

Gift suggestions for a wanna-be drummer.

My PLF (potential lady friend) recently bought a drum machine from Costco, and is planning on learning how to drum. What's a good gift to complement that habit?

Looking for something under thirty bucks.

(note - I play piano and the PLFILF and I will probably play together, if that helps)

posted by mammary16 to shopping (14 comments total)

Every drummer needs sticks, so that's always a good one. Problem is that everyone prefers different sizes.

Maybe a CD of an amazing drummer that she really likes?
posted by DMan at 2:12 PM on March 5, 2007

A subscription to Modern Drummer magazine?
posted by Atom12 at 2:15 PM on March 5, 2007

When I first started drumming, my teacher told me to buy a book called "Basic Drumming" by Joel Rothman. It is not a guide to how to drum as such, but contains various drum beats (from basic (4/4 rock)to advanced(16ths on the bass drum(yes that is advanced for me))), practice routines, rudiments and many other techniques i havent even looked at etc. Even though i have used about 1/10 of the book it has been a very useful thing.

You don't need to pick up that exact book, but something along those lines could be useful. I'm sure a music/drum shop could point you in the right direction.

That is isssuming she isnt getting lessons that may have another prescribed book, and that she is starting at a pretty basic level.

Also being electronic drums, it rules out many of the other things that "real" drums could need (eg, metronome, drum keys, parctice pad, drum sticks).

best of luck to her.
posted by lrobertjones at 2:15 PM on March 5, 2007

To parrot DMan, get her several pairs of sticks in a variety of sizes and a DVD of some inspiring drumming performances. The Modern Drummer DVDs are almost always inspiring.

I also suggest one of the 12" dual-sided practice pads. Vic Firth makes a good one.
posted by bryanzera at 2:29 PM on March 5, 2007

I dunno bryanzera, if she already has an electronic kit then a practice pad will be pretty superfluous. If it didn't come with them, maybe some good headphones?

Failing that, you'll have to go with sticks. Even if she already has some, a different pair (with different size, weight and thickness) will be welcome.


Good luck!
posted by twirlypen at 2:54 PM on March 5, 2007

The OP said she had a drum machine. That's not the same as an electronic drum kit. Can we get a clarification on what equipment she actually has?
posted by ludwig_van at 3:31 PM on March 5, 2007

A practice drum pad, she can strap it to her knee and practice anywhere, with the added plus that she could do it at school or college, or watching TV without making too much noise.
posted by micayetoca at 3:39 PM on March 5, 2007

All drummers should have Stick Control. It's an exercise book - probably $10 - and if she starts taking lessons I guarantee her instructor will use it. It's like Johnny's Book of Scales that your parents would buy for you when you're learning the piano.

Sticks are a good idea and she probably doesn't yet have a preference if she is just starting out. You could also get a stick bag, another item that every drummer must have and one that you will quickly see the need for once the sticks start piling up all over the apartment.
posted by PercussivePaul at 4:03 PM on March 5, 2007

love your acronyms, mammary!
posted by kidsleepy at 4:11 PM on March 5, 2007

More cowbell t-shirt.
posted by onlyconnect at 4:14 PM on March 5, 2007

I was going to chime in and suggest a stickbag/stick holster.

You know? One of those things that clips to the kit and holds a couple of sticks, so that if you drop one you can grab another one quickly.

But then I read that she had bought a drum machine, and I got confused.
posted by gergtreble at 4:50 PM on March 5, 2007

A practice pad is great, I've been thinking of getting one for myself even though I stopped playing drums years ago.

Also, a little dumbek is always fun to bang around on.
posted by malocchio at 6:01 PM on March 5, 2007

There are some nice suggestions, but I was thinking that maybe instead of something to just hand over to her, you could also look at who was playing in your area and buy some tickets to the show. This way you could discuss the drumming/music and what was interesting or not for the both of you, especially if you play piano and you would like to play music together. If a show doesn't work out, maybe you could rent a documentary or two? Buy an album? Have fun and good luck.
posted by sleepy pete at 12:34 AM on March 6, 2007

I found that drumstick wax was an awesome stocking filler when I got it one Christmas. When you're learning it helps you gain better grip on new sticks. Zildjian makes some pretty awesome stuff.

Other than that, a music stand will definitely come in handy if her drum machine doesn't have one built in. It makes reading the drum beats in a book 1000 times easier.
posted by cholly at 1:37 AM on March 6, 2007