My daughter has been playing percussion for a coupe years now, typical grade school band stuff, snare, bass, cowbell (fellas, what you need is more cowbell), etc. Next year, she has the opportunity to play a trap set with the jazz band. She has a snare and practices on a somewhat regular basis so the motivation seems to be there. But she will need to start getting drum set work in to be able to pull off doing it next year, which means that I'll probably have to buy her one.

So my questions to you, oh wise ones of OT, are these: What brands should I look for (and look out for), considering that she is a beginner that may or may not be playing in a couple years? Is there a bare minimum I should consider as far as equipment (ie 1 bass, 2 toms, high hat, etc)? Are junior size sets worth considering or a waste of money (she is of average height and weight for a 12 year old). Any other things I should be thinking about?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

there are multiple "cheaper/starter" brands of drums. CB percussion, for one. Alot of the more well known brands have cheaper kits. Mapex, Tama or Ludwig.

Most starter sets they have come with some cheap hi-hats, ride and crash cymbals along with stands. I'm thinking around the $500 range for something that's pretty good to start on.

When she becomes a jazz drumming freak (in a good way) you can get her a nice Pearl or DW set and some good Zildjian K cymbals

 

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic-Drum-...Sets,300-500.gc

check out some of those prices....but be careful b/c some kits will only give you a drums and maybe a high hat stand and cymbal stand with out cymbals for the $$ advertised. If you go that route you can still buy a reasonable "cymbal pack" which will have the necessary ones

GL

 

one question you should ask is what's her level of dedication? how long does she intend on playing?

secondly, has she had her growth spurt yet? I'd stay away from a junior set, since most girls start blowing up around 12-14.

as funny as it sounds, best buy started carrying equipment, and for decent prices. they have a set that starts @ $360, which is great for a beginner:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...prd102300050007

 

^ there you go as well. Pacific drums is a bargain brand and should work great minus the shitty heads(which are on all bargain drums), but they can always replaced

 

once she becomes buddy rich or josh freese, then throw down the money for $2000+ sets

 

I would also inspire her with videos of dennis chambers and steve smith

and if she gets good, buy her this snare for christmas

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Pearl-Dennis-C...683-i1140549.gc

 

I bought a 5 piece pearl kit when i first started for around 600 bucks. Worth every penny

 

when I finally get a single family house I'm going to finally buy a replacement set for the Mapex I currently place. It's so trashed from moving it around and playing out. it looks like shit but at least the shells still ring great with some good remo heads

I'm buying either Pearl or OCDP when I finally do get one

 

Get a Pearl Export set. They can be had for 500 bucks. Then get a decent set of Paistes and you're golden. If noise is an issue, you can always go with one of the digital sets with natural heads.