If you ever saw KISS, Van Halen, or Motley Crue live, you probably saw their respective drummers sitting behind enormous drum sets.
Dozens of cymbals, multiple bass drums, a barrage of tom-toms, and even several snares are not something you’d see in an average drum kit. In fact, a basic drum set usually comes equipped with just three features – a hi-hat, a snare, and a bass drum.
Let’s say you’re either a beginner drummer, someone who is considering buying a kit, or a parent looking to enroll their child in a drum music school. Should you buy a large kit complete with a double bass pedal, five toms, and tons of cymbals, or should you shoot for a smaller, more manageable rig?
We’re The Music Box, Tampa’s premier drum school and our drum coaches want to help you make an educated decision. In this article, we’ll list some of the most notable benefits and drawbacks of both small and large drum kits, so whether you’re buying drums for yourself or your child, The Music Box experts got your back.
What Counts as a Basic Drum Kit & What Can You Do With It
A “basic” drum set is a “bared” set, featuring only one drum bass, one snare, and one hi-hat. These are the parts that can be used to hold the rhythm and perform simple beats, but that’s about it.
Can you practice on a basic drum kit? Certainly, that’s what they’re made for. When it comes to rehearsals, you could just hold the beat for your bandmates to jam or improvise over, but participating in the songwriting process might be a challenge on a simplistic kit.
Can you perform live on the simplest of drum sets? Only if you’ve mastered the basics of drumming and plan to perform ultra-simple songs like “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen, or similar tunes.
What Is a Large Drum Kit & Can You Buy It Outright
Referencing big concerts from the beginning of the article, the largest and most complex drum setups are typically “stitched together” by drummers who handpicked each part, often from multiple manufacturers.
However, if you feel that basic drum kits aren’t fun or if they couldn’t help you achieve what you wish on this instrument, you’ll probably be thrilled to hear that you can buy a pre-made large set, either from big brands like Pearl, DW Drums, Gretsch, and such or online marketplaces like Sweetwater and Amazon.
In most cases, it’s best to buy a basic kit and simply start adding the parts you need whenever you can afford to upgrade your rig. With that out of the way, let’s list the pros and cons of small and large drum sets.
Advantages of Basic Drum Kits
Most of our drum students start learning on a simple, small drum kit. Some of the first lessons that our drum coaches typically cover revolve around explaining each drum part; that’s much easier on a small kit.
The information is easier to digest, and our students can’t wait to learn more during the next lessons. If you want to see what some of The Music Box drum students can do even on the simplest of drum sets, swing by our Facebook page.
Perfect for Immediate Beginners
Most people aren’t sure which drum parts should be included in a basic drum set, and fortunately, nearly all retailers and drum manufacturers pick the same parts for the models they are selling.
With fewer parts in your setup, it’s also easier to focus on each of them. When our students get to sit behind a professional drum set, they usually can’t wait to try all the cymbals and hear what each tom sounds like.
Affordability
Small drum kits are considerably cheaper than large ones, and not just because they feature fewer parts. Namely, basic kits are rarely outfitted with cymbals. As you’ll eventually find out, drum cymbals can be extremely pricey, and nearly all large kits feature at least half a dozen of them.
Superb Portability
Taking a drum kit to your drum lessons can be easy, or it can be a chore. And then there’s the issue of your trunk space – how large of a drum kit can your car/truck hold? Basic drum kits can easily fit on your backseat, so even if you own a tiny car, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Advantages of Larger Drum Kits
If large, more complex drum sets were just slightly cheaper, everyone would have them. If you don’t mind paying top dollar, there are many benefits to playing on a well-rounded, large drum set.
Unmatched Versatility
Let’s say you’re about to do a drum solo. On a simple drum kit, you could only alternate between hitting your hi-hat, bass drum, and snare.
On larger kits, though, you’ll have dozens of cymbals, toms, and other parts to choose from for each stroke. Moreover, you won’t be limited to playing simple songs, and you’ll have far more flexibility to play any music genre on a complete drum kit.
All Pros Use Them
Professional drummers may choose to sometimes play on simpler drum sets, but they have a deep understanding of what each cymbal, tom, and drum part does. If you aspire to become a great drummer and either join or form your own band someday, you’ll also need to become more familiar with as many different parts as you can find.
If you can’t afford a large drum kit, you’ll have ample opportunities to test some of our sets at The Music Box. Check out our TikTok page if you want to see what you’re signing up for.
Recording, Touring, and Gig-Ready Kits
With a complete drum set, you’ll be ready for any situation. Whether it be playing at a small local event, a full-blown festival, or recording authored songs in the studio, having a large drum set will ensure you’re prepared for anything.
At The Music Box, you’ll get to create a unique band with other students and even play in front of a live audience when you’re ready. Check out our Instagram page for a glimpse of what that’s like.
Tired of Drumming Alone? Join the Music Box and Take Your Drumming to the Next Level
If you’re still unsure about which drum kit you should buy, come to The Music Box and you’ll get to learn more about drums as an instrument, all the different playstyles, music genres, and so much more.
Our offices are located at Gunn Highway 4321, Carrollwood Florida, so swing by whenever you wish to start your musical journey. Tap this link, and we’ll help you through the rest of the process.
