Budget Beats
January 27, 2018 3:34 PM Subscribe
I would like to learn percussion, but financially I can't afford a drum set right now and my living situations isn't the best for having a full drum set in the house. Looking for resources to learn anyway...
I am in Philadelphia along the Delaware river. Is there a place to take lessons on a kit that lives there? Should I start with bongos or spoons or something to dip my toe in the water? My motive is fun so I'm flexible and want all ideas.
I am in Philadelphia along the Delaware river. Is there a place to take lessons on a kit that lives there? Should I start with bongos or spoons or something to dip my toe in the water? My motive is fun so I'm flexible and want all ideas.
2nd the practice pads. They are cheap and give you the feel of a drumhead. The set with sticks and a throne won't set you back much at all. And they are quiet.
posted by jtexman at 4:16 PM on January 27, 2018
posted by jtexman at 4:16 PM on January 27, 2018
My 13-y.o. got a double-sided practice pad for Christmas. It is much quieter and much smaller than a real drum, which is good, but he constantly drums on things now, which is....percussive.
posted by wenestvedt at 4:45 PM on January 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 4:45 PM on January 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
My motive is fun
Everything is your drum!
Practice parididdles, and other fundamental patterns/rudimentary skills on your thighs etc. You can use your hands for free.
If you have a$20-40, buy a few cheap tambourines with full heads and work on rhythms and different ways of hitting them. You can get a lot of different sounds out of a headed tambourine!
If you have another $20-40, buy a few inexpensive mallets and sticks to hit things with. You can hit boxes or your fridge or...
"Conventional" drum kits can get crazy expensive real fast. But it doesn't take much money to hit things with things, even buying low-cost real musical equipment.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:11 PM on January 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Everything is your drum!
Practice parididdles, and other fundamental patterns/rudimentary skills on your thighs etc. You can use your hands for free.
If you have a$20-40, buy a few cheap tambourines with full heads and work on rhythms and different ways of hitting them. You can get a lot of different sounds out of a headed tambourine!
If you have another $20-40, buy a few inexpensive mallets and sticks to hit things with. You can hit boxes or your fridge or...
"Conventional" drum kits can get crazy expensive real fast. But it doesn't take much money to hit things with things, even buying low-cost real musical equipment.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:11 PM on January 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Someone you know might have a Rock Band drum kit they're not using anymore, it's like having four practice pads and a kick pedal.
posted by ApathyGirl at 1:44 PM on January 29, 2018
posted by ApathyGirl at 1:44 PM on January 29, 2018
I feel like I'm always beating this drum, but I have two words for you: "community band". This will be a group of amateurs, mostly in school or retired, who rehearse somewhere like a middle school band room and therefore have percussion instruments available to play. Or you can rehearse using the other percussionists' instruments (with permission, of course). Just explain your skill level and I bet you will get a warm welcome. It's good because they will have a designated time for practice (weekly, e.g.) and you can get tips from the other performers. Rock Band is a great place to start, and once you can keep a rhythm there you can perform for real.
posted by wnissen at 4:54 PM on January 30, 2018
posted by wnissen at 4:54 PM on January 30, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by platitudipus at 4:10 PM on January 27, 2018 [3 favorites]