Are Electronic Drum Kits Ok For A Beginner Drummer To Learn On?
I've played drums before (a long time ago) but am interested in picking it up again. I'm effectively a beginner. For convenience reasons, an electronic kit would be preferable to an acoustic one. However, I am concerned that learning on an electronic kit would influence my touch/feel.
Also, are there particular kits/pads that are preferable?
The Roland V-drums and their special mesh heads have got the best feel of the electronic drumkits available, but they are also pretty expensive. An electronic drumkit in general is an expensive proposition for a beginner, because you need to buy all the hardware (drum pads, rack, sound module, speakers), and the low-end kits will run you about $800. — You might be able to get them for a bit less on ebay.
If you are worried about loudness you can get a cheap beginners set (~$300) and some pads to muffle the sound to apartment-safe decibels (~$50).
To answer your question, even with the best electronic sets, using an electronic set will alter your feel – especially for things like rimshots, complex hi-hat work, and cymbals. You can still learn a lot and play some great sounding beats, but it does not feel like a regular drum set.
This may not be a big issue… if you just want to make music and rock out (and don’t care about moving to acoustic), then electronic is just fine. If you want to be able to play on an acoustic set with a great sense of feel, then electronic is not the way to go…
Actually I just found a really cheap elecronic set for $300… see link: