How Much Do Drums Cost: Full Pricing Guide

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Many professional drummers are known for the craft of drumming. They have put in years of hard work to become the best drummer possible. Many drum sets have been bought from beginner sets to more advanced drum sets by these musicians. And each of these drum sets costs money. Read on to discover the price of a drum set.


How Much Does a Drum Set Cost?


Inexpensive Drum Set for Adults

There are many adults who have always dreamed of learning how to play the drums. As a beginner, you should probably not pay a lot to gain basic knowledge about drums. The least expensive drum sets can be bought at specialty music stores and will range in cost from $150 to $300.


Inexpensive Drum Set for Kids

A child wanting to learn the drums is probably going to be more about the joy of banging on the drums than actually learning technique. It is more like a toy and may not be taken seriously.

While you want to give your child the opportunity to play the drums, you must also realize that it takes many hours of practice to become a serious drummer. All of the loud banging may drive you insane if you have to listen to it all of the time.

Expert Tip: if you decide to purchase a drum set for your child, expect to pay in the range of $150 to $300.


Beginner Drum Set

Beginner Drum Set
Beginner Drum Set

A beginner drum set is for the person who is serious about learning the basics of his craft. Many of the best professional drummers in the world, began on a beginner drum set. It is meant to teach you the different parts of the drum set and how they are used.

You will learn the basics of how to properly play on your drum set. A beginner drum set will cost in the range of $500 to $1000.


Intermediate Drum Set

An intermediate drum set means that you have learned the basic parts of a drum set and some of the basic techniques. However, an intermediate drum set allows a drummer to continue learning how to properly play his drums. Remember that a drummer must understand timing and how it relates to the other surrounding instruments.

An intermediate drum set will help you develop the right way to play your drum sticks on the different-sized drums and cymbals on your set. The intermediate drum set will cost in the range of $1500 to $2500.


Advanced Drum Set

Advanced Drum Set
Advanced Drum Set

An advanced drum set means that you have learned the basic parts and techniques for playing the drum. An advanced drum set will help you better understand the techniques needed to properly play your drum set.

A drummer is a premier staple for any band and can easily throw off the other surrounding instruments if you do not know what you are doing. The drum set helps to keep the beat for the band just as a metronome would for a piano. Advanced drum sets cost in the range of $2500 to $5000.

You are usually ready to play for a professional band or go into the recording studio when you are playing an advanced drum set.


Jazz Drum Set

A typical jazz set has four drums that include: the snare drum, bass drum, rack tom, and floor tom. It will also have a pair of hi-hats and cymbals. A jazz drum set is usually smaller than other sets and has fewer toms. It will cost in the range of $1000 to $5000.


Portable Drum Set

Portable Drum sets are meant to be played standing up or perched on a high stool. While the portable drum set gets noticed because of its’ height, the sound from this type of drum set can be limiting. The cost of a portable drum set ranges from $250 to $1000.


Electronic Drum Set

Electronic Drum Set
Electronic Drum Set

An electronic drum set is a more modern drum set that is meant to be an alternative to an acoustic drum kit or other percussion instruments. Many are designed with a metronome to keep the beat and a way to record music.

An electronic set has a digital sound module that produces the synthesized or sampled percussion sounds and an electronic sensor or sensor-equipped pad that triggers these sounds. An electronic drum set can range in price from $500 to $6000.


How Much Is a Good Drum Set Worth?

A good drum set is worth a lot to the person who is serious about playing the drums, learning correct techniques on his drum set, and the different parts of his set. Practice is important on any musical instrument, including the drums in order to take your playing to the next level.

Pricing may be different based upon the drum set you purchase and your level of play. Obviously, a beginning set is less expensive than a set played by professional drummers. A good set on average can be worth anywhere from $300 to $1000.

While it is best to purchase a new drum set, beginner or used drum sets are good for those just learning to play.


Things to look for in a good set that is worthy include:


How Are You Using Your Drum Set?

Decide before purchasing how you will be using your drum set? Are you just learning to play or are you a career drummer who needs a more advanced drum set? Your level of play must match the drum set you are thinking of buying.


What Is Included?

What Is Included?
What Is Included?

What is included in your drum set is an important thing to know before buying your drum set? The drums, cymbals, toms, and other apparatus are important to get you off to a great start for learning to play, drums. Speak with a drum specialist in a music specialty store to make sure you have everything needed to play.

Expert Tip: For the more advanced drummer, ensure that you have the right type of drum set that will meet your unique need. You may want an electronic drum set that gives you the ability to record your music.


How Much Does It Cost?

Plan a budget for how much you are willing to spend on your new drum set. If you are a beginner, then choosing an inexpensive set may be best for your basic drumming needs. Purchasing an expensive set when you are not sure if your child will stick with the required practice is not a good idea.


How Big Is The Set?

Remember that a drum set must be comfortable for the drummer. You do not want to buy a set that is too big for the individual who will be playing the set. A kid should have a smaller set than an adult who wants to learn.

Drummers have to stretch and play their drums and cymbals, so you need to know that you have the arm length to reach each drum and cymbal required to play.


What Style of Music, Do You Want to Play?

Ask yourself what style or genre of music you want to play before purchasing your drum set. There are different types of drum sets like the jazz drum set that allows you to play a particular style of music.


How Do You Want Your Drum Set to Sound?

How Do You Want Your Drum Set to Sound?
How Do You Want Your Drum Set to Sound?

You should play the drum set before purchasing and listen to the sound. Make sure that the drums are booming as you want and do not sound small. You can tune your drums and alter the sound a little, but not so with the cymbals. Remember that what you buy is what you get.

Expert Tip: Think about the number of practice hours that will be needed to become the best drummer possible. Your drum set will be attached to you for hours during each day. It must be the right set that sounds the way you want.


What Is The Hardware Like?

Check the pedals on your drum set and other hardware. Bad hardware makes playing your drum set more difficult. Smaller stands can be used for children, wobbly pedals make it difficult to control the drum sound. Make sure and check your hardware, particularly if you are buying a used drum set.


How Loud Is Your Drum Set?

How loud is the drum set you are thinking about purchasing? This is an important question that needs to be answered before leaving the music store. A rocker needs a big and booming drum set. Choose your drum set based upon the loudness level coming from each drum and cymbal.


How Durable Is Your Drum Set?

Your drum set must be durable and able to handle the art of drumming on a daily basis. You will be practicing on your drum set and possibly playing gigs. Your set will take a lot of beating between all of these activities. Make sure that it is durable enough to handle your basic needs.


Does It Look Nice?

Does It Look Nice?
Does It Look Nice?

While it may seem odd, take a long look at your drum set and see if it reflects your personality. While this is not required for beginning drummers, professional drummers know that a good-looking drum set can steal the show in a concert. The music business is an image business, so let your drum set make you look good.


What Makes a Drum Set Expensive?

A drum set can get expensive when it is more advanced, has custom-made features, and more drums, cymbals toms, and accessories. The brand of the drum set is also something that will make a drum set expensive. Hardware quality is also something that will make a drum set expensive.

This article is meant to tell you the price of a drum set. Remember to do your homework and decide on the type of drum set you need based upon your level of play. Make sure that you are comfortable with your drum set so that playing for hours will be an enjoyable experience.

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About Jayden Buckley

Hi, my name is Jayden and I am author/editor for PlayTheTunes. I remember the first time I hopped on the drums, I was hooked. Music has played an enormous part of my life, and I'm honored I get to share my experiences with you!