A question for the drummers

[Quadrochosis]

I also posted this on MP.com in case you happened to see it there too and were like 'wtf?' But I figured there were some here that don't visit there and wanted to ask DTF too.

So I am thinking about picking up drums and learning to play. The only problem is I am 18, and have never played before. Am I too old to start? I really love music and play guitar and some piano so I am not completely new to musical instruments but I have been playing guitar for quite a few years already and I feel like I won't be able to learn the drums as easily or well. I am afraid it may be a waste of time/money/effort. SO does anyone have any similar stories or words of advice?

And if you think I should pursue it, does anyone have any ideas of how to start looking for a kit and what to go with and appropriate price ranges and stuff? Thanks in advance, I appreciate it

Quadro

[ZachyDou]

Ive been playing piano for almost 10 years now, and ive been teaching myself guitar for a little bit, and i personally dont think theres an age limit to picking up an instrument. In fact, my dad picked up the alto sax a few years ago when he was around 40. A new instrument always takes massive amounts of practice though; make sure you have the time to make a proper dedication or you wont end up getting anywhere.

[setrataeso]

I started playing drums 5-6 years ago, and have been playing since.
To start, I would first make sure that you're absolutely sure that you want to start playing drums, as it requires a lot of commitment and a lot of money.
To find a good starter kit, I would look on eBay, Kijiji, or whatever your area has available. I got a 5-piece kit, with extra drums (enough for a 7 or 8-piece kit) plus stands and a few cymbals for $199. Not all kits will be this good of a steal, but you could get lucky. From there, I would recommend either lessons, or a beginners video or book. They'll teach you basic rudiments, but actual lessons will be helpful for more "hands-on" practice. Playing along to music is great way to find what style you like playing.
Basically, like ZachyDou said, you need a lot of dedication to the instrument.

[bosk1]

I'm 39, and I just started a few months ago.  I'm loving it so far.  I've always had instruments around, but never got around to picking up drums earlier in life.  It is a bit more of a financial commitment than most instruments.  I did quite a bit of shopping around and research before buying.  I found that for the money, a 5-piece was probably the best place to start.  I found essentially this set on craigslist for $300 (but in blue):  https://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ludwig-Accent-5PC-Kit-and-Zildjian-ZBT-Cymbal-Set-Bundle?sku=443278

The one I bought also had an extra cymbal stand, so I bought a Zildjian 16" crash and I use the 18" crash ride as my ride cymbal until I have enough cash to buy a better one, which is working out fine. 

I'm finding that drumming is a lot harder than it looks, but it is a lot of fun, too.  And as your skills increase, you can always add to your instrument.  I really want to add a double bass pedal, but I'm waiting until I'm just better at single bass first and waiting until I have enough money to get a really good pedal set instead of getting something cheap.  But the possibilities for adding little things here and there are almost endless. 

[Quadrochosis]

Yea that's what is so appealing about this instrument. You have people that range from 4 piece kits to people like Portnoy or Bozzio that use hundreds of pieces. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[bosk1]

I like the configuration with a 5 with the 2 rack toms and 1 floor tom.  I find that it gives me plenty of variety for a new drummer while still being affordable.  A 4-piece would be a bit cheaper, but if I wanted to add a matching rack time later, the hardware might not be compatible and I might not find an exactly matching tom.  Plus, it would be much more expensive buying the extra tom and mounting hardware separately than getting a 5-piece from the get-go.  Not worth it for the bit of money I would initially save for a 4-piece. 

For other pieces I might add, I would be less concerned about having them match.  It isn't likely I will add more actual drums, other than maybe some roto-toms or something like that that wouldn't match the kit anyway.  Otherwise, it would be things like cymbals, cowbell, etc.

[SnakeEyes]

You're never too old to begin playing an instrument.  I have two guitar students (one man and one woman) who are over 70 years old and they're both doing great.

[setrataeso]

My kit setup right now is:

2 20" bass drums
1 14" snare drum
2 11" rack toms
1 12" rack tom
2 16" floor toms
1 9" timbalito

Zildjian ZXT Control Ride
Zildjian Bronze Scimitar Ride
Zildjian ZXT Platinum Medium Thin Crash
Kashian Splash
Camber Medium Hi-hat
Latin Percussion Mounted Tambourine

Drums are Orbitone, heads are Remo, sticks are Zildjian Artist series, pedals are Pearl.

In total, I've spent over $1000 on my kit. And that's actually a very good deal.

Here's a picture for reference:

[True Death of Life]

My kit setup right now is:

2 20" bass drums
1 14" snare drum
2 11" rack toms
1 12" rack tom
2 16" floor toms
1 9" timbalito

Zildjian ZXT Control Ride
Zildjian Bronze Scimitar Ride
Zildjian ZXT Platinum Medium Thin Crash
Kashian Splash
Camber Medium Hi-hat
Latin Percussion Mounted Tambourine

  Best brand of cymbals ever.

[Portrucci]

My kit setup right now is:

2 20" bass drums
1 14" snare drum
2 11" rack toms
1 12" rack tom
2 16" floor toms
1 9" timbalito

Zildjian ZXT Control Ride
Zildjian Bronze Scimitar Ride
Zildjian ZXT Platinum Medium Thin Crash
Kashian Splash
Camber Medium Hi-hat
Latin Percussion Mounted Tambourine

  Best brand of cymbals ever.

Yep  Riiight after Sabian 

[True Death of Life]

Nope. 

Just kidding. Whatever works best for you. I really shouldn't dsay anything because I've never used Sabian, but...


Zildjan all the way.

[bosk1]

2 11" rack toms

 Why?  That seems redundant to me, but I'm sure there must be a reason.

[setrataeso]

2 11" rack toms

  Why?  That seems redundant to me, but I'm sure there must be a reason.

I mentioned before that I got doubles of some drums. So I set up two 11" rack toms, and tuned them differently. It all works out.

[Birch Boy]

Bit off topic but since tick did it I mine as well.

CB Kit
Pearl, Tama, and CB stands
Zildjian cymbals (18" ReZo Crash, 16" Medium Crash, 22" Pitch Black Ride, 22" ride [used as gong  ), except for Sabian hi-hats
3 toms
Pearl pedals (hi-hat, double bass)
Vic Firth/Vader sticks

Next on my buy list is a 16" crash, and then I'm saving up for a Tama Double Bass Rockstar Kit