For students five and older, starting the musical journey on the drumset is a suitable foundation. Large motor skills + big targets = quick progression and a lot of fun.

Do drum students need to have a drum set at home to practise on? Ideally, yes, but it’s also viable to have a rubber disk called a “Practise Pad.” Practise pads allow students to practise patterns for one drum with minimal volume. They cost between $25-$39 and come with a thread recess to match with an optional stand ($60). A cost effective move is to buy the pad only and use household items to support the pad (Ottoman / footstool, milk crate, box, etc.) Practise pads are commonly used by beginning drum students in their first two to four months.

For drumsets themselves, renting is an option.

Digital drumsets have the advantage of safety, as volume is controllable. Volume can also be managed through use of headsets, so as not to bother co-habitants.

Acoustic drum sets do not require electricity. Rubber discs called mutes are a good option for deadening the ring and volume by up to 80%. Hearing protection is strongly recommended.

For private lessons, bring your favourite drum sticks, relevant books, indoor shoes and get used to carrying a drum key.

When it comes to sharing a kit at festival performances, bring what are called, “breakables.” That is, your favourite snare drum, bass drum pedal and cymbals.

While preparing for student concerts, bring your audio device with backing tracks downloaded in advance.