We need to buy a drum kit

[anneyaramis]

Any help appreciated. DS2 is nearly 9 and has been learning the drums for about a year and appears to be quite good (feedback from those who have seen him and according to his report) so we will be buying him 'something' to enable him to practice at home. The problem is we live in a flat so I am sure our neighbours would not appreciate this. I have the following ideas, but wondered if I have missed something or if he just needs a simple way to practice and I am over complicating it.

Option 1: buy an actual drumkit and get the silencer pads. He would usually have to practice with the pads on but everything would be in the same place as when he has his lessons etc. I would then maybe plan to send a note to the neighbours to say he is learning and would practice without the pads no more than 15 mins twice a week between x hour on x day or similar and invite them to let me know if there are any problems, it is too much etc.

Option 2: Get him a portable electronic kit with foot pedals. www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ALE-COMPACTKIT7?src=Y0802G00SRCHCAPN&scid=scplp12376557&sc_intid=ALE+COMPACTKIT7&gclid=CKOcsNLbls8CFYIW0wodgisIdg

Option 3: get him a proper electronic drum kit with all the kit (appears extortionately expensive. www.gear4music.com/Drums-and-Percussion/Digital-Drums-400-Compact-Electronic-Drum-Kit-by-Gear4music/10O6

Obviously the second two have headphone jacks which is appealing.

DS1 also will be getting an electric guitar so I guess occasionally they would like to practice together but I think we would be pushing it allowing that.

What is best to make it easy, useful and pleasant for him to continue?

[LooseAtTheSeams]

My personal advice would be do option 3. The electric kits are good for his level, especially if he can also play on a 'proper' drum kit for lessons/concerts. The headphone option keeps the peace with neighbours! We live in a terrace so bought a Roland electric for DS1. Be aware the bass still vibrates so your neighbours may hear some muffled thudding sounds! You get what you pay for so check with his teacher for advice on models before spending any money.
I can't comment on acoustic with pads as we don't have one. it is an option I am thinking about so would be interested in others' views. Ds1 is able to practise on a kit as school, though, so I'm not in any rush!

[Paulweller11]

We have a 'proper drum kit' ( as my daughter calls it).
We also have silencer pads- they do work but you can't use them all the time.
We are in a detached house though so it's not to bad.
I would recommend an electric drum kit- option 3 for a flat.

[GCHQMonitoring]

DS had a proper drum kit, even with the pads on and the windows closed, you could here them from a couple of doors away. They also take up lots of room, collect dust and are a pain to move for cleaning

[strawberrybubblegum]

Not option 2 (I had one as a teen, but found it pretty pointless and preferred to use a table with various things placed around)

Before investing in option 3, make sure you give him a chance to try it first and decide. You feel drums and a dampened electronic pad is a very different experience.

Is it worth floating a real drum kit by your neighbours? You might find that there are certain times of day when they're all out (straight after school, say).

[PacificDogwod]

Oh, I am place marking big time!

DS2(12) has started playing the drums at school, he has a pretty crappy electronic drum kit at home, but it really is not a joy - even I can hear that

Option 3, eh??
Sounds expensive...

[JustGettingStarted]

I own a Yamaha version of option 3 that cost me £300. I'm looking to sell it. Are you near Manchester?

[JustGettingStarted]

I'd sell it for £50. There's a short on the snare pad.

[Ferguson]

I think a proper kit, and you don't need to buy silencer pads, but can drape a sheet or blanket over the whole of the kit. The bass drum pedal may need separate damping, and the hi hat and cymbals won't sound very good, but at least everything is in the right place.

For snare drum rudiments practice a thick telephone directory will suffice, and use fairly heavy sticks; reading and exercises DON'T need a whole kit most of the time.

When I was first learning (in the '60s!) I went to Saturday rehearsals, taking the 'traps' case on the bus, and I used the case as a bass drum, fixing the pedal to it with Meccano!

[PacificDogwod]

Ye gawds, I've just looked at eBay for Roland V drums - thank you curse you, VoyageofDad



There will be a very happy 12 yo in this hose at Christmas - I wonder whether I can wholesale packs of ear plugs?!

[drummersmum]

We have a proper acoustic kit. Although it's a Pearl traveller, so one inch smaller. Over the years we've been adding lots of cymbals, bells, etc so think of the space. For snare practice, a practice pad is fabulous. DS takes his pad whenever we travel.
We bought the dampers but they have never been used. DS really disliked playing on them. We're in a terraced, won't drum after 7pm and we stuffed cushions inside the bass drum. But a flat I guess is difficult. Do you have neighbours under, side and up? If it's only one set of neighbours worth asking like someone proposed? If not, expensive option 3....?

[anneyaramis]

Thanks all. Really useful advise here. I was thinking that we would drop all the neighbours a note explaining and proposing only certain times and short bursts - not hours of jamming with his brother and his guitar - eek.

Sadly in London so Manchester wouldn't work, but thanks for the offer.

Have noted the Roland V and emailed his teacher to see what they say too.

[meridithssister]

Our neighbour has a drum kit. We are in a semi detached house. He practices every day around 6pm and I don't mind a bit. In fact, I quite like it!

[drummersmum]

meridithssister you are a lovely person

[GU24Mum]

We've just bought a drum kit for my nearly 9 year old. We went for the proper drums in the end (and got a Tornado 20" set) which he loves. We thought about the electronic set but thought we'd start with the actual drums and see if we can stick it. His bedroom is in the loft conversion and the house is not attached so our circs. are probably a bit different. I don't mind the noise actually - it's far more like white noise than most of the other noises the children make so it's strangely restful. I stood outside the house and although you can hear it, it isn't that loud and probaby far better for the neighours than the children running around in the garden (and invariably shouting....).

[BarbarianMum]

Option 3. We got ds1 a second hand kit off Ebay for less than half of the regular retail price.