Jacqueline Cohen
Introduction
If you have a burning desire to learn how to play a drumset, chances are that you've asked yourself or even those close to you questions like "how much do drums cost."
If you have your own drumset at home, it is a bit easier to learn how to play the drums. In fact, it would take you shorter time to learn compared to someone who have to travel a far distance to learn with a friend's drum or to practice with the drums in the church.
To answer the question of how much a drum set cost, we will take the different drum kits on the market, their prices, and what's included in each of the kit. We will also touch on the drums accessories.
Ready to learn? Then read on!
Different Drum Kits On The Market
Drum kits come in different prices depending on the size, the type, the brand, and your experience level.
The drum set for beginners are generally less than $300, while those designed for professional is anything from $5,000 and above, depending on the type and the added accessories.
There are basically three (3) different drum kits on the market - Junior drum kits, intermediate drum kits, and professional drum kits.
Let's take a look at each of them.
Junior Drum Kits
A complete drum set in this category costs around $300. When we say a complete drum set, we mean the drum set comes with stock cymbals, stands, and all the necessary hardware.
In fact, some drum manufacturers may include drum thrones, what you sit on when playing. All the drum sets in this category are perfect for a first-time player.
The drums in the Junior drum kits may not sound very rich like those in the professional kits, but it is certainly a step to get started with a playing career.
You can purchase silencing pads to keep the sound of your drums low when practicing at home, so that it won't disturb your neighbors. On average, silencing pads are sold for $50.
Now you know how much the drums in the Junior kit cost, we are sure you are wondering what those in the intermediate and professional kits will cost.
Let's have a look.
Intermediate Drum Kits
As you learn to play, and play well, eventually you may want a better kit to practice on.
While junior kits are great for kids just starting out, they can outgrow them quickly, both in size and the type of playing they are doing.
When this happens, it might be time to purchase a full-size, intermediate kit.
An intermediate kit is, traditionally, a five- or six-piece configuration. Most intermediate kits will include a shell pack only, and cymbals will need to be added separately.
When picking out an intermediate drum kit, you’ll want your budget to be around $700 to $1,500, depending on the type of kits you are looking at. There are several intermediate kits that can be more expensive, and a few that can be found for under $700.
however, most would agree that the $700 to $1,500 range will afford you a decent kit to practice on.
Professional Kits
If you or your child have joined a band and is planning to play a lot, a professional drum kit may be more your style.
Professional kits come in the same configuration as intermediate kits, but are built with better wood and components.
They can stand up to greater travel, movement and playing. When picking out a professional drum kit you’ll want the drummer to try out kits before making a decision.
Professional kits can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on the kit and components included. Most professionals will opt to purchase a shell pack with hardware, then add specific drums or cymbals that they feel are necessary.
Picking out a professional drum kit is less a question of “how much does a drum set cost?” and more about what feels right to you and your needs as a player. A great discussion about professional drum set on quora.com.
Added Components and Accessories
During your research on drum set cost, you’ll likely encounter many different opinions on accessories and added components, as well. Even if you have a beginner drummer in your home,
you’ll want to purchase sticks, stands and cymbals separately. In addition, you might want to invest in drum bags. These travel cases protect the drums as they are moved.
There are also a few components you will need as you progress as a drummer that will not come standard with a kit. Some drum kits, for example, do not come with cymbal stands and cymbals.
Advanced drummers may find they like particular cymbals for their sound and feel, so then you have the option of purchasing these components separately.
Once you get a certain level, the quality of the instrument you plan on will make a big difference. Invest wisely, and you’ll be rewarded with years of playing and gigging!
Final Thoughts
Generally, a drum set costs between $300 and $1,000 on average. Factors that determine price are often quality of shells, hardware inclusion, custom builds, if they are hand-made, different tiers of quality within the brand, and the number of shells. Used instruments often offer a great entry into the drumming world.
Professional instruction is the quickest and most efficient way to learn to play the drums, however, a single lesson a week for many weeks can only get a new drummer so far. To truly understand and embrace the drums, a new musician will need to commit to practicing in between lessons, as well – and that means you’ll need a good quality drum set!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drums expensive?
The drums on the market come in different price range. There are cheap drums and there are also expensive drums. So, depending on your budget, you can choose the drums that match your budget and playing experience.
For beginners, you can find a drum set within $200. For expert drummers, you can expect to shell out around $2,000 upward to purchase a high-quality drum sets
What drums are best for beginners?
If you have no prior playing experience, one of these beginner-friendly drum sets will help you to jump-start a drumming career:
Pearl Roadshow - This is perfect for beginners with no prior playing experience.
Pearl Export - This model is also great for beginners.
Ddrum D120B 5-piece drum set - Great for kids
Ashthorpe 5-piece drum set - This model is perfect for adults.
Alesis Nitro - Also great for kids.
What is the cheapest drum set on the market?
The cheapest drum set on the market are those designed for starters or beginners. Our editor has recommended some models that you are less than $300.
Obviously, you can affordable these models compared to high-end drum sets meant for professional drummers.
Some of the cheapest drum set on the market include:
Mapex Tornado 5 Piece 20" Fusion Burgundy Drum Kit
Tourtech TT-12S Electronic Drum Kit
Natal Arcadia Poplar 22" She'll Pack in Black With Hardware.
Tama Club Jam Satin Blonde Drum Shell Pack.
Ludwig QuestLove BreakBeats Shell Pack, Wine Red Sparkle.
Why are Electronic drums so expensive?
Electronic drum sets are different from the traditional drums that you often see in churches or event centers.
The primary reason for them being expensive is that it takes a lot to produce them, including labor, components, equipment, and other resources.
In fact, electronic drum manufacturers use plenty of components to be able to produce a drum set. On top of that, it costs so much to embark on research and development on how to improve the current electronic drum sets.
How long does it take to learn drums?
The duration you can learn the drum set is entirely up to you. We have cases where a beginner use between 10 and 12 months to learn professional drum play.
We have also seen situation where some persons use between 18 months and 2 years to become a professional drummer. So, it's entirely up to you!
