Drums vs. Guitar?

[Dog--]

I have, and can somewhat play a guitar (took lessons for 2 years, can read music, alright at sight-reading), but my friend is selling a $1000 pair of drums for $200, I have $200 but I don't know if drums are really that fun, I fool around with drums in my music class at school, and they seem pretty fun, but so did guitar at first, and now guitar is kinda boring to me, do drums stay fun, or do they get boring? Should I buy the drums, or spend my money on games?

 

[Stigmata]

Drums are fun. They take a lot of discipline though, it's not much of a pick-up-and-play instrument.

[edit] And getting a set for 20% of the original price is kind of a steal, as long as the drums aren't dented or anything.

 

[Absinthe]

Drums are fun. They take a lot of discipline though, it's not much of a pick-up-and-play instrument.

Truth. I used to play the drums, and that's something you need a lot of practice with. Can't slouch.

However, drums are more interesting IMO, and it's a more enjoyable learning process.

 

[theotherguy]

crap, 200 bucks!? go for it!

I've been playing drums for about six years, and I can tell you in alot of ways it is easier and sometimes funner than other instruments, but do not be deceived...playing the drums is easy, but playing them well is not. There are so many tiny nuances that I've been drilled to look at over the past six years that I've been nearly brainwashed.

In any case I would say go for it. It's not a one-or-the-other type thing, but the more instruments you can play the better...you'll be a better player and writer of music if you learn more instruments, and playing drums could be a major boost to any musician's understanding of rhythm, sound, synchopation and a whole lot of important musical concepts that will improve your skill in guitar as well.

good luck to you

 

[kineaesth]

Yes, drums are great. And just play guitar on the side.

 

[sinkoman]

If you don't know shit about time signatures, can't keep a beat (and I mean like, be the backbone of the song), or just get lost in songs easily, then i'd say the drums are not for you.

But hell, at 200 USD, i'd say you could probably make them for you

 

[CrazyHarij]

there's no denying the importance of drums, without them you don't have a track. plus they're mad cool, all the stupid bassists and drummers in my school are surrounded by chicks :|.
i haven't gotten into playing them though because i prefer the guitar, i'm more into melody and stuff like that.

 

[sinkoman]

there's no denying the importance of drums, without them you don't have a track. plus they're mad cool, all the stupid bassists and drummers in my school are surrounded by chicks :|.
i haven't gotten into playing them though because i prefer the guitar, i'm more into melody and stuff like that.

I'm actually considering picking up either the bass or guitaring.

I've been playing the drums for 10 years now, and i'd really love to try some experimental percussive stuff on the guitar and the bass (bass in particular).

 

[Qhartb]

Well, if you can get the set that cheap I don't see a reason not to. The thing that worries me is that you "somewhat" play guitar and got bored with it. Both drums and guitar can be deep instruments, and both are somewhat notorious for a lot of people learning the basics then not progressing.

On the other hand, it's a completely different musical focus, so it'll likely be a good change. Traditional elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, counterpoint, timbre. Guitar is melody- & harmony-centric (with timbre on the side if you use pedals and such), while drums obviously focus on rhythm and also very importantly on dynamics (with a secondary emphasis on timbre).

Point is, it's a different part of the musical world than guitar. Plus, learning drums may give you new rhythmic ideas to try on the guitar.

 

[Bad^Hat]

From my experience, yes drums can be very cool. I learnt because a friend left his kit at ours to look after, and I did. So well infact he gave us maybe 3 cymbals to play with and I gave him back about 15. Pieces that is >_>

So I came into it pretty accidentally, just started out hitting things randomly for about a year and not making anything but noise (and if you ask the neighbours not much has changed ). Many people give up out of frustration at this point, but once you get used to keeping a solid beat, it starts getting fun. One bit of advise though - don't take lessons to start with. Just play around until you feel comfortable enough with playing and actually want to learn better technique, then think about em. Lessons can be really freakin off-putting to begin with, which incidentally is why I don't play guitar

 

[Dog--]

The thing that worries me is that you "somewhat" play guitar and got bored with it. Both drums and guitar can be deep instruments, and both are somewhat notorious for a lot of people learning the basics then not progressing.

I'm not really bored of it, I think I just played it way to much, When I got it, I took lessons, and I never stopped playing it, combine a strict asshole music teacher (not strict like a regular music teacher, this guy just went too far sometimes.. I think HE made me bored of it..) and playing it contantly, and I think alot of people would be bored. I still play it atleast 1 hour a day.. I probably play more then most, but it's because I used to play ALOT, so 1 hour a day doesn't seem long to me..

Lessons can be really freakin off-putting to begin with, which is incidentally is why I don't play guitar

I'm never taking lessons for a musical instrument ever again (with the exception of music class in school) Almost every person I know who plays guitar/drums/bass is insanely good, and they tought themselves. I've been taught guitar, but I think I can teach myself drums, with some tips/hints from the drummers I know.








Also, a really good drummer I know (he plays in a band, and in my music class at school) said HE'LL sell me a drum kit for $200, and he said he's got really expensive hi-hats and cymbals that he'll throw in with the drum kit, he said that he originally paid $2000 for the drum kit, and he got them last year, and he says he's barely played them, but he's got better ones, so he's selling his old ones, for any drummers here who know there stuff, I'll ask him what kind they are (Drums, Cymbals, and Hi-hat), he says that they are really good ones, though.

 

[theotherguy]

I'm not really bored of it, I think I just played it way to much, When I got it, I took lessons, and I never stopped playing it, combine a strict asshole music teacher (not strict like a regular music teacher, this guy just went too far sometimes.. I think HE made me bored of it..) and playing it contantly, and I think alot of people would be bored. I still play it atleast 1 hour a day.. I probably play more then most, but it's because I used to play ALOT, so 1 hour a day doesn't seem long to me.




I'm never taking lessons for a musical instrument ever again (with the exception of music class in school) Almost every person I know who plays guitar/drums/bass is insanely good, and they tought themselves. I've been taught guitar, but I think I can teach myself drums, with some tips/hints from the drummers I know.








Also, a really good drummer I know (he plays in a band, and in my music class at school) said HE'LL sell me a drum kit for $200, and he said he's got really expensive hi-hats and cymbals that he'll throw in with the drum kit, he said that he originally paid $2000 for the drum kit, and he got them last year, and he says he's barely played them, but he's got better ones, so he's selling his old ones, for any drummers here who know there stuff, I'll ask him what kind they are (Drums, Cymbals, and Hi-hat), he says that they are really good ones, though.

Man, you'd be lucky to even get one decent crash cymbal for under 200 bucks. Unless this is some kiddy beginner set, its a complete steal.

 

[Fliko]

You can get decent Sabian symbols for under 200$

 

[Bad^Hat]

Yeah, get the Sabian B8 pack, I have it and it's a good set to begin with. It sounds good enough for what it costs, it's fairly sturdy and it's easy to replace if you ever want to get better stuff (they seem to resell alright, or you can cut em up and make funky effects cymbals ).

About lessons though, you can go totally self-taught with drums and still sound good, but don't think it's the only way to go. Having a teacher who knows what he's doing is the best way to refine your technique and broaden your knowledge of the instrument, which can only improve your playing. Technique is a big one too, as there are many many bad habits you can fall into with drumming that only someone in the know will be able to identify and correct. All I'm saying is don't start with them, the main thing to begin with is to just have fun and be confident with your playing, then you can concentrate on the technical side if you want to.

 

[theotherguy]

Yeah, get the Sabian B8 pack, I have it and it's a good set to begin with. It sounds good enough for what it costs, it's fairly sturdy and it's easy to replace if you ever want to get better stuff (they seem to resell alright, or you can cut em up and make funky effects cymbals ).

About lessons though, you can go totally self-taught with drums and still sound good, but don't think it's the only way to go. Having a teacher who knows what he's doing is the best way to refine your technique and broaden your knowledge of the instrument, which can only improve your playing. Technique is a big one too, as there are many many bad habits you can fall into with drumming that only someone in the know will be able to identify and correct. All I'm saying is don't start with them, the main thing to begin with is to just have fun and be confident with your playing, then you can concentrate on the technical side if you want to.

I couldn't find anything worth buying at a percussion symposium for under 200, and they were selling stuff for 50 percent off. But yes, getting a pack like the B8 is probably the way to go for cymbals.

I would disagree that its better to be "self-taught", having taken lessons in other percussive instruments, I can't do jack squat on the drumset in comparison. There are so many techniques that one needs to learn that lessons become essential, unless you have some uncanny ability to find the right excerscizes to improve coordination and rhythm.

 

[Que-Ever]

Depending on your skill level, guitar or drums could bring in the most ladies.

 

[Dog--]

I forgot to ask him what kind of drums they are, but we were talking about the drums, and I remember him saying the hi-hat he'll give me is a "Zildjian" hi-hat which, he said, was really good.. Is it?

 

[sinkoman]

I forgot to ask him what kind of drums they are, but we were talking about the drums, and I remember him saying the hi-hat he'll give me is a "Zildjian" hi-hat which, he said, was really good.. Is it?

Zildjian is a brand...

 

[Bad^Hat]

If it's Zildjian, it could be either good or shite. If the series name (big letters on the top of the cymbal) starts with Z, avoid. Their budget stuff is FTL.

Edit - Unless, of course, it's free. And having said that you're probably not gonna be bothered about sound when you first start playing anyway, just as long as you can bash it, and that's pretty much all those're good for

If it's anything Zildjian A, K, or Custom, then you'd best be a little bit careful though. Those're actually worth something.

 

[Dog--]

Zildjian is a brand...

Really... You Think?

If it's anything Zildjian A, K, or Custom, then you'd best be a little bit careful though. Those're actually worth something.

So... What should I be looking for on the hi-hat?