Oscar Lopez

Drums – Performance & Lessons (Oxford-UK/Online)

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Buying Your First Acoustic Drum Kit: A Guide for Beginners and Parents

Buying your first drum kit is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel daunting. With countless options, varying prices, sizes, and accessories, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. It might seem like you need expert-level knowledge just to make a basic decision. But don’t worry—I’m here to help. Having bought numerous drum kits myself and guided many others through the process, I’ll explain how to confidently choose your first quality kit. Think of this like buying your first reliable car—not a flashy race car, or a fully spec’d up camper van, or the cheapest possible option, but the trusty Toyota that’s dependable, comfortable, and won’t bring you tears with the occasional bump or scratch (very likely when you are new to driving!).

We’ll approach this systematically, focusing on four main areas: Shells, Cymbals, Hardware, and Accessories. You could apply all this knowledge to buy a second-hand kit, but I am going to assume you’re purchasing new. You could buy a complete kit with everything included, but these typically compromise quality significantly. Some music stores create bundles that could be also relatively cost effective. However, buying separate, better-quality components is often more rewarding, cost-effective in the long run, and gives you the flexibility to adapt it to your personal needs and wants.

Shells (The Drums Themselves)

The drum shells are the heart of your kit—the drums themselves. Mid-range shell packs today offer excellent quality without the premium price. Of course, you can always invest more for custom-made drums with unique woods and finishes, but standard kits generally provide great sound and versatility, and a solid build that ensures durability,

The sizes I find more practical for beginners and intermediate players are the fusion or studio sizes, typically including a 20-inch kick/bass drum, a 14-inch snare drum, and 10-inch, 12-inch rack toms, with a 14-inch floor tom. These sizes are versatile enough to cover most musical styles comfortably and are manageable in terms of space and tuning. While the most common bass drum size is 22 inches, I find it bulky and difficult to tune effectively for beginners and uncomfortable for shorter/younger players, as the diameter of the kick drum prevents the toms from being placed low enough.

Bass drums can come be drilled or non-Drilled. A drilled bass drum includes mounts for toms, making setup easier and more stable. Non-drilled provides slightly improved resonance but requires separate tom stands or clamps. For your first kit I would be biased towards a drilled kick drum but it is not a deal breaker.

A quick note about drum heads—some people recommend changing them straight away, as factory heads are not typically high-quality. However, as a beginner, use the factory heads to practice your playing, tuning, and experimenting without worry. You can always upgrade later, and quality drum heads are relatively affordable.

Links to recommended shell packs – (Please note I have no relation to any of these brands, and these are not affiliate links):

Cymbals

Cymbals significantly influence your kit’s overall sound quality. A good mid-range cymbal pack usually includes 14-inch hi-hats, a 20-inch ride cymbal, and a 16-inch crash cymbal. An optional 18-inch crash can also be beneficial.

Avoid very cheap cymbals, as they can sound harsh and unpleasant, negatively affecting both your enjoyment and practice sessions. Unlike drums, cymbal quality cannot be significantly improved through tuning or adjustments—you’re largely stuck with the sound you buy.

Links to recommended cymbal packs:

Hardware (Stands for the Cymbals)

This category often surprises first-time buyers, as shells and cymbals typically don’t include the essential hardware needed for setup and playing.

You’ll need stands for each cymbal. I recommend one hi-hat stand, one straight cymbal stand (ideal for crashes), and at least one boom stand for the ride cymbal. If your budget allows, two boom stands offer more flexibility. As you add cymbals, you will generally need an equivalent amount of stands.

You will also need a pedal for the kick drum. Start with a basic single pedal with a single chain kick drum pedal, upgrading later if possible to a double-chain pedal for improved durability and smoother playing. Lower quality pedals come without a base plate. If possible I would suggest spending the extra as this plate keeps the pedal in place and prevents frustration when practicing. Double pedals, designed to allow the use of both feet on the bass drum by connecting a second pedal for the left foot via a transmission bar, are useful but beginners typically don’t need them unless specifically interested in styles like metal. I love double pedals and use them all the time. However, I have colleagues that have very successful careers and barely use them, if ever.

A proper drum throne is crucial. Regular chairs often can’t achieve the correct height, negatively impacting technique and comfort, producing bad posture and potential injuries. Even a basic adjustable drum throne will significantly improve your comfort while playing, which will likely lead to more time on the kit. I would avoid the ones that have holes to set the height and go for the smooth pole or screw on.

Links to recommended hardware packs:

Accessories

These often-overlooked items are critical for a smooth playing experience:

Drum Rug: Essential to prevent your drums from shifting while playing. Choose a stiff, rubber-backed rug even if your floor is carpeted. It protects your floor and stabilises your drums. Also, pedals usually come with a velcro strip that, in combination with the rug, will secure your pedal and kick drum in place.

Music Stand: It’s not uncommon to sit on your kit for the first time and then realise you don’t have anywhere to place your sheet music, or even hold your phone while you put some songs on to play along too.l A music stand simple but indispensable tool. It also helps with proper posture during practice, making a sturdy music stand a worthwhile investment. I have

Hearing Protection: Acoustic drums are loud, and prolonged exposure can damage your hearing or increase your chances of developing conditions like tinnitus. Invest in comfortable, effective hearing protection from day one, and wear it! —your ears will thank you.

Links to recommended accessories:

Space and Sound Considerations

Ensure you have adequate space—a standard acoustic drum kit comfortably fits in about a 2×2 meter area. If space or noise is a significant concern, an acoustic kit may pose challenges. While acoustic foam and minor soundproofing treatments slightly enhance internal sound quality, they won’t meaningfully reduce noise levels for neighbours(or at all whatsoever!). Proper soundproofing involves expensive renovations, like building a room within a room. If noise or space constraints are severe, I recommend considering an electronic drum kit, which I’ll discuss in another dedicated post.

Conclusion

Purchasing your first acoustic drum kit doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these guidelines, you’ll confidently select a kit that offers excellent playability, sound, and reliability—exactly what you need at this stage of your drumming journey. Your first drum kit is a tool for growth, experimentation, and enjoyment. Most importantly, have fun and keep practicing!

I hope this guide has been helpful and makes your drum kit buying experience enjoyable and stress-free! If you have any questions or need personalised advice, feel free to get in touch through the contact form—I’m always happy to help you choose the perfect drum kit. Let’s make some noise together!

Summary:

  • Mid-range fusion/studio shell packs are at the sweet-spot in terms of quality and price tag.
  • Invest in decent mid-range cymbals for enjoyable sound.
  • Hardware (stands, pedals, throne, drumsticks) usually bought separately.
  • Accessories like rugs, music stands, and hearing protection are vital.
  • Consider space and noise constraints carefully.

Quick Reference Checklist:

  • Shell Pack
    • Bass/Kick: 20″x16″
    • Snare: 14″x5″
    • rack toms: 10″x7″ – 12″x8″
    • Floor tom: 14″x13″
  • Cymbal Pack
    • Hi Hat: 14″
    • Ride: 20″
    • Crash: 16″
    • Crash 2 (optional): 18″
  • Stands (hi-hat, straight, boom)
    • Hi Hat stand
    • Ride stand (boom stand)
    • Crash straight or boom
    • Crash 2 (optional) Straight or boom
  • Kick Pedal (single or double chain)
  • Drum Throne
  • Drum Rug
  • Music Stand
  • Hearing Protection

Links for reference:

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