I play guitar and drums. And I have both ...
My son really enjoys messing around w/ my instruments so for christmas last year when he was 6 I got him a jr size drumset.
Firstly part of the reason I did so is no matter what I did the fullsize was just too large/unwieldy for him to use. Even when I lowered my throne (seat) then he couldn't reach the upper half of the set. He literally had to stand at my drumset to try to use it at all.
The jr size set on the other hand is perfect size and works very well for him.
I considered more expensive sets but after a bit of reading I got him this GP Percussion set off of Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OIQZPW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And it was a great decision.
Pros:
Cons
But the cymbals and the pedal can be upgraded if your kid ever takes the playing seriously and if not they are serviceable.
Your kid is 4 - this will be a toy to them. As a musician and a father I support my kids interest in music but until your child shows actual sustained interest and commitment my advice is do not overspend just because as a musician you might understand ' you get what you pay for' in an instrument.
Your child will most likely play with it for a while then forget it exists and sub $200 is a lot easier to throw away than $600-1200 on a toy.
Getting a good set of in ears will change your life. If you can afford custom molds great. If not, look into the KZ brand of in ears on Amazon. The ZST line is great for the money but they have tons of ones to choose from. You can get great headphones with awesome isolation for less than $50. I highly suggest getting the upgrade cable and foam tips for better sound quality.
KZ ZST https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MY4GGC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MjtkDb6V4VJAR
I’m the same way. Write and throw right handed but bat lefty. There’s a book you can get from Amazon called Stick Control. I can’t recommend it enough. It starts off basic and increases in difficulty. It will help with sticking.
Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer https://www.amazon.com/dp/1892764040/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HH15Y35PKH9KNWERJ19Y
It's like buying it, but instead of buying it all up front, you make small payments over a long course of time.
also, thanks for the suggestion! edit: i looked that up on amazon and it came up with 2 very similar looking things, one of which is at 500, and the other of which is a number 1 best seller and is on sale for 300 down from 400.
Can't help myself but have you tried Tempo Slowmo app? slows down the music but keeps the pitch, might make transcribing the music easier.
Very well! Here's a sample of a tune called "The Dance" It's not mixed, still the demo tracks on it but it still sounds OK. But this album is going to be, as they say, "A motherfucker".
Here you go. I'm assuming this is a cadence/stand groove type piece so im playing at around 112bpm. Also recorded on my phone so its crap quality but it should work for you.
I use these for at-home practice. They sound really good and offer a decent amount of attenuation. And for under $50 it's not a huge risk.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QKYTGH9/ref=twister\_B07QKX28XR?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
At my local Goodwil I found a hard shell golf club bag case that would be used for a golfer to put their normal soft bag inside for like flights or whatever. It's incredible rugged, easily fits all my stands without breaking down or even lowering them from their playing height, has fuckin wheels and several handles, and it cost me literally $3. I have done hundreds of gigs with this thing and it shows no signs of wearing out. It's like 4 feet tall and takes up a lot of space so if you're trying to fit stuff into a smaller car or if you're touring in a van without room it might not be the best but I have spent hundreds on bags made for hardware and this thing bodies all of them easily.
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Thanks, bud! Glad you liked it. I played it pretty much note for note except a couple of bits where I messed up.
Either way, I used Garibaldi's Off The Record book for the transcriptions, and I used concepts from my book to dig deeper into some of the grooves. I did this to explore them creatively and become more conversational with his style to soak it in as much as possible!
I hope that's useful.
I think you just need some closed-back headphones. A lot of studio headphones are semi -open but you don't need that for playing an e-kit. And you also don't need something with a ton of attenuation like we use on acoustic kits. That being said, I use these cheap IEMs for personal practice at the kit and they sound really good so I imagine they'd be great for using an e-kit while blocking out a lot of outside noise.
Not sure what your budget is, but $99 buys you a pair of JBL Everest Buds. Amazon Link
The sound is excellent (great bass, which is a requirement of mine) battery life is great and they are comfortable to wear and come with multiple styles of silicone inserts in different sizes.
They also survived a night getting rained on in my driveway when they fell out of my bag. I only buy JBL now.
I have also had the JBL Reflect Minis, which are also good, but not as loud.
'Pro Metronome' by EUM lab that does exactly this.
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eumlab.android.prometronome&hl=en
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pro-metronome-tempo-beat-subdivision-polyrhythm/id477960671?mt=8
I am not affiated with the developer, I just use the app myself. The free version is fine, no ads or anything.
You can get a new hi hat holder from Amazon, eBay or reverb:
Ah I didn’t see that, while uncomfortable, that solution would provide protection. You just have to make sure they’re making a seal.
Vic firth makes these earmuffs for kids, I’d recommend them.
Good luck and good dad!
That might be it
I did also find this https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-CLA130-Mounted-Finish-Saving-Spring-Adjustable/dp/B091M9N46C although it seems to exclusively branch off the kick lol... much appreciated!
a lot of people, including myself, use KZ ZS10 Pros they provide some hear protection, not noise cancelling which is different and not what you want.
I would try those alone first.
When I started drumming, there was a book my drum teacher recommended I use to practice. Simple patterns on your snare drum. Once you’re comfortable with the rhythms on your snare, try with your bass drum foot, etc. At the time I was doubtful and didn’t want a book to practice, I wanted to rock. I still use the exercises in the book to stay sharp and have been drumming for 20+ years.
That port will probably tear at some point due to the uneven cut. I use this for cutting my ports. They come out perfectly round every time, and they never tear.
https://www.amazon.com/Bass-Drum-Os-Hole-Cutter/dp/B0007KVR820
Could always buy an electronic drum kit this is a good option
Thank you so much for the detailed reply. I had not even considered a PA system, but that would be super helpful if his guitar playing friend comes over as well. We do have a Katana 50 MKII amp for another kiddo (they hate each other), so not bandmates. I'm going to have to do some research on this equipment to see what lines up used, but on a cursory glance, this generic equipment seems to be plentiful on facebook marketplace.
Are you talking about these? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079PTW3K5/ That's one item that I was thinking about.
Thanks so much for the counter-opinion on the EAD10. It does look like I can get a decent budget two-mic setup used vs trying to find a below market EAD10. It's definitely a few more wires.
Earplugs have been a huge problem, my dude has some really weird shaped ears. I've tried several different brands from Amazon and none seem to make a great seal. I was thinking about these Vic Firth headphones: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079PTW3K5/
All it takes is a commitment at every level. From beginning to your goal. Depending on how serious you are. I don't know how long it will take you. That's all up to you and your knowledge of music in general. If you know jazz charts then you're that much closer to being a pro jazz drummer.
Practice a lot but take it slow and easy. You don't want to get ahead of yourself. When you feel like you've got it, move on to the next thing.
I would highly recommend getting a practice pad, a pair of sticks, and a rudiments book and just go through those rudiments until you can play them all without the book.
Then, after you get a practice kit, then get The Art of Bop Drumming. It will help you along with jazz drumming.
That should get you started on the right track.
Might get two of those sand bags that photographers use to hold down lights/shades and and put them on either side of a flat steel bar to negate the torque you’re applying to the pedal with the motion you’re using.
You can lay the flat bar across the Quiet Kick between where the pedal attaches and the rest of the pedal in that little pocket formed by the raised location that the pad sits on. Kind of jury-rigged but it should help mitigate the “walking” you’re experiencing.
Any drummer can attest to this. Even on a kit, you should start every practice with rudiments. Stick Control is the book I and a lot of other drummers start with, practicing pages from this book to a metronome will improve your drumming in the subtle ways, your rhythm and dexterity, so when you move to a kit you'll already know what you're doing.
I brought one of these 6” stands, but the 3 black plastic thingies that hook on to the stand are in the way of the sticks, since they are so close to one another, because of the size of the pad.
I also tried one of these stands that has a 8mm threaded screw to mount to the corresponding hole in the stand, but the mounting screw is not strong enough to support the stand, so the stand keeps tilting forward or backward with each hit.
Beats are absolutely terrible headphones. Even entry level in-ears from Shure will crush those: https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PNZFZ8
Additionally, a good in-ear will isolate the "tap tap" sound from the plastic on the e-kit and you'll just hear what's in the headphones.
Beats is not a headphone brand, it's a marketing brand.
I have bought these to play the electronic kit at my church. They reduce some of the noise of the sticks hitting the pads. Been playing with them for over a year and just have a small Dent in one of them so they have held up very nicely.
Nylon Drumsticks for Drum Set 5A Light Durable Plastic Exercise ANTI-SLIP Handles Drum Sticks for Kids Adults Musical Instrument Percussion Accessories (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083M3FJGC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_F2TY55KWVBEJTH19XCPG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Only thing that comes to mind is those light up ones. Like these;
But I’m new to drumming so maybe someone else has a better idea of what they are talking about.
I think any zero drop / minimalist shoes would work for you.
WHITIN Men's Minimalist Barefoot Sneakers | Wide fit | Zero Drop Sole | Upgraded Footbed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098WJVZX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_C7CMS87F0V3A78XN0N18
Age doesn’t matter, simplified I’d say within a couple years you’d be ready for something like that, with double bass a while depending on how often and how long you practice. Would recommend starting with the basics and picking up a few books my drum teacher started me off with this book which is highly recommended taking a look at
First thing, Lubricate that drum stool! It's horrible sounding.
Secondly, pickup "Stick Control for the Snare Drummer" Start with page one and and go through it the way it tells you to (I believe it's one page per day but practice everything on that page for an hour or so or until you have it down).
Same. I’ve recently started experimenting with stick holders of various sorts to see if I can stop gripping as tight as I normally do (which causes pain). These help without hindering too much
Never used this myself but I saw a guy doing production on twitch using this lalal it seemed cool but wasn’t something I would be interested in spending money on myself. Probably a bunch of other music separating AI out there as well.
The reason I'm on such a tear about this stuff is that I've recently started a project with a guy I've known about 20 years. His name is Mike Watson and he leads a band called Schmaltz. We're approaching some tunes that we were slated to do some 15 years ago, and now since the world didn't end It's time we did this stuff.
If you want to hear some of this stuff check out my Soundcloud. This little slice has a quintuplet fill in the front. Sounds kinda stumbley, as 5's tend to do.
That makes sense... its hard to find a good pair of headphones that work with glasses. I wear glasses too. I have to admit, your drumming is very advanced for starting as a guitarist.
Here is my one-man band: In The Red http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=246421&content=music
The first 4 songs are the most recent recording from 20 years ago. In a little indie rehearsal space and a lot of editing on the computer. If you keep listening, there is older 4-track stuff from when I was in college and even a few song from my band in high school.
Others have already provided the answer, but, along the same lines, you might want to check out Syncopation.
Well if the board has a monitor send (usually labeled "Aux") you could plug in the phone with the click track, send that signal to the Aux send and only you'd hear it.
Not sure of what your board's capability is but if you have a monitor feed or aux send you could mix in the band's sound as well, therefore taking you into IEM territory. :D
What I did was invest in my own small mixer that allows me to control my own little world of sound; I can get a monitor feed or three from the main soundboard and control what I hear at any given time.
Here's a link to the mixer I have. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IBIVL42/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_H3WRH7BECK9NN3RF0DGA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Fuck Apple. /r/androidmasterrace
LiveBPM is what I use. One of the features that I love is the running chart, I can see graphically how the tempo has changed over time, not just numerically.
If you ever get on the Google Play Store, let us know!
Do you have a link for this kid drum set? My niece might love it for next year, I got her this kit for Christmas: VTech KidiBeats Drum Set
Loads of great advice here.
One thing that I have also found great to work into my practice is this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vk.patterngenerator
It generates a random fill. If you spend 20 mins a day working on just one pattern from this app a day you will see a big improvement in your drumming vocabulary. 1 new pattern a day.
Get him a good blower fan if he doesn't have one already. Nothing like a steady stream of cool air when you're playing. And if he has long hair, it'll make him look like he's riding a Harley when he's jammin' out.
Which foot feels most natural playing the bass drum?
If you're ambidextrous with your hands, setup around your dominant foot playing the bass drum and learn to play open-handed. Open-handed means not crossing your hi-hat hand over your snare drum hand.
Get the book The New Breed by Gary Chester and learn to play from this book.
The future of drumming is open-handed.
Not here to throne bash. But I do like a solid seat for my beats.
That said, how about a cheap option for the cheap throne? You'd need to find the right size ID. And maybe steel vs AL. Check Mcmaster-Carr if the size is weird. Just a thought
What music do you listen to?
When I first started playing, KISS was my favorite band and I played to their songs a lot to get the basics down. They have simple drum beats usually and were great to practice to (then I began drum lessons).
So I would say try your best at songs that you like (that have simple beats) and keep watching beginner YouTube videos. I would also use YouTube to learn how to read music, then purchase some drumming books (like this).
No, usb is all you need, and you shouldn't have any problems. USB/midi recording normally deals fine with latency by itself... and it doesn't use the sound card or gpu.
Make sure to download the latest ASIO4ALL driver from http://www.asio4all.org/ just in case
I'm not an expert, but I started doing some video editing. I downloaded Lightworks for windows. It's free to use. There's a pro version that was used to put together some actual movies. It took some getting used to, but it's not too hard to use. I did need to watch a video to get the hang of it at first.
This is the one I went with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KXSBB5P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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USB-A to USB-B Male-to-Male is what you're looking for.
I just started using Repeat Player https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kr.co.darby It seems like it could be such a valuable tool but I'm just starting out with it.
I'm leaning a couple of pretty complex songs and I've tried editing the MP3 into segments so I can work on 1 segment at a time. This app allows repeat of segments which is perfect!
Also, I'm trying to learn the intro for Hot for Teacher by Van Halen and being able to slow it down and play along is amazing.
So first, move to using in ears of some sort- like these. Any pair you can find you like the sound from, bt works fine. Those will seal in your ears better. Next goto a hardware store and get a set of over ear hearing protection.. This is what I use, with the in ears in I dont really hear much of my drums.
I use these for home practice and they work really well for that purpose. Plus for the cost they sound really good.
If you're willing to spend that much give these a go, I' use them to listen to backing tracks and clicks on an acoustic kit, and they're great, and if you're not happy they're not exactly expensive. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06WVFPBNH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Drumming-Top-Bottom-Complete-Teach-Yourself/dp/142346706X
I recommend this book, I have had a copy for years and still use it from time to time and have taught beginners using it too.
You need to be careful with this. I've been looking for headphones for this purpose too but realized that if you can hear the drums through the headphones it typically requires that the music be cranked to compensate. In-ear monitors typically block out a lot more sound than regular headphones but they're intended to play back mic'd drums, not necessarily let you hear them directly.
The Superluxes recommended in another comment are like the semi-open AKGs so it's likely they're not offering a lot of attenuation/noise reduction. I've had decent luck with my Galaxy Earbuds and they create a nice tight seal with the large buds and contour rings and appear to offer about -20db, but the volume needs to be nearly maxed out to hear the music over the drums and that's not safe.
I think I'll get these KZ IEM's soon. Rob Brown has some good things to say about them on his YT channel and at $50 it's not a huge investment. I believe they're rated for -26db which is similar to good musician's earplugs meant for very loud situations. Theoretically you should still be able to hear the drums through them, but probably on the quiet side.
Get a pair of sticks and a drum pad like this one. (Not one with rims that looks like the head from a drum set). https://www.amazon.com/Double-Sided-Drum-Pad-12/dp/B07KJHSHF5/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=drum+pad&qid=1609697250&sprefix=drum+pad&sr=8-6
If you are new to music itself, get a book for beginning drummers that include music theory, technique, and exercises. I’m sure there are also good series on YouTube.
Get a metronome. There are plenty of free met apps. Use the metronome. Don’t not use the metronome. Develop the habit of using it whenever you practice. Embrace the soothing sound of the clicks. Hear them in your sleep.
Use the metronome. It’s that important it has to be said twice. There are plenty of good drummers who don’t have Buddy Rich’s hands. There are no good drummers who can’t keep time.
Pay honest attention to technique. It exists for a reason. Don’t let yourself take shortcuts in the interest of short-term “improvement.” The bigger the shortcuts you take, the more it will suck later when you realize how short-sighted it was.
Invest your time. Just like anything else, you’re not going to be a pro overnight. Improvement requires time and reps, and more time and more reps.
Explore videos of pros you like and drum corps to stay motivated! https://youtu.be/Cm5ddKhbizw
Didn't think about kid headphones, I found these on amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Nenos-Children-Headphones-Childrens-Foldable/dp/B01LDVQIG4?th=1
At the end of the day just regular headphones that have volume limitations. These wont necessarily cover the entire ear because he will be listening from the headphones and the electronic kit doesn't obviously make noise. If he wants to play without the headphones and through the drum amp then he can put on the isolation headphones to reduce the sound from there.
When I wrote the original post I was just thinking about the sound coming out of the amp as we are so used to hearing it when he plays....it obviously makes sense that when he has a headphone plugged into the kit the sound will not come out from the amp...duh.
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Thanks again
practice pad and some drum sticks will get you feeling like you're actually drumming, and it'll have the bounce and recoil to mimic real drums. It'll sound nicer than sharpies and a deck too :p
I had some really great luck with Los cabos. The quality is amazing. :D
https://www.amazon.com/Los-Cabos-Drumsticks-2B-MAPLE/dp/B00K8R6068 This stick is almost the same size as the SD2 bolero.
Its a small bluetooth device that syncs with the app, its really fun. this is the device:
https://www.amazon.com/DK-Sense-Kit-DrumKnee-app/dp/B089561RTS#customerReviews
For the record, i have no affiliation with this brand/app or device.
This book is great if you are trying to gain independence with your hands and feet. You have to be a bit creative when using it, but it’s been my personal go-to forever. I can post an example video of how to use it if anyone is interested.
Any sort of craft/fabric store really. Here's 15 sheets for 7 bucks on Amazon.
a piece of advice that was given to me was to take bars from drum workbooks such as this and incorporate it into your playing while being utilized as a fill.
these books are reading exercises so the notes given are more for time value than anything else.
The KVX is outside my budget :( .
Ok , so I have this kit in my cart . My next question is can get them for less than $1200?
thanks for the interesting solution but i went along the same lines as u/alanennis 's suggestion and got this exercise mat. it slides around easily when nothing's on it but won't budge an inch if there's the slightest bit of weight. made of eva foam and supposed to be sound absorbent but i've yet to test this out.
Start slowly, and repetitiously.
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I learned by getting a teacher who recommended a book called A Funky Primer. Start with the most basic exercises as slow as it takes for you to play them right. Once you master that slowly speed it up. Learn new exercises as you master older ones, rinse & repeat (so to speak). It takes patience. Lots and lots of patience. Best of luck to you, slow & steady wins the race here.
Practice hitting these at the same time to build up muscle memory until it registers to you as a single motion:
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For hands (right/left multitasking) learn flam drills.
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That should get you started.
Since you can already read music, you have a huge advantage - books. I would try this one out, it will help with your snare/bass issues: https://www.amazon.com/Drummers-Cookbook-John-Pickering/dp/0786692855/
The Drummer's Cookbook. I use it with all my students.
Pyle makes a cheap 2X120 watt amp that I use with two monitors I have. It heats up quick so I have a fan pointed on it but works great. https://www.amazon.com/Home-Audio-Power-Amplifier-System/dp/B00BQO4VN6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1548010809&sr=8-4&keywords=pyle+amp
Rudiments are where it’s at. Paradiddle your way to rhythm heaven on that pad. Your fills on a full kit will thank you, later. Use a metronome and get this https://www.amazon.com/Stick-Control-George-Lawrence-Stone/dp/1892764040
Looking at the V drums now, cheapest I can find the TD-1k for is £340, and then for the TD-1KV which is identical besides a mesh snare, is £400 on one weird website but way more than that on others, is it really that worth it?
Am looking at this now:
Thanks for the tips, really helpful!
Yes yes yes but get the (Evans RealFeel Pad.)[Evans Acoustic Guitar Body (RF12D) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FMDIXY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_srckCb2Y91PVK]
I've used that bad boy for 5 years and I love it. I'd also suggest Vic Firth 7A sticks, but that choice is a bit more personal.
The whole premise of the video is that the tools are expensive. They cost only $10-$15 though! https://www.amazon.com/Oumers-Universal-Mountain-Bicycle-Splitter/dp/B0179JC31I/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=T6E2334BYPSVJQS43KMK
I have an Alesis DM6 USB kit that I use for recording MIDI. It is simple and does the trick. You can edit velocity later within the DAW. I got mine for around $300 a few years ago, but it is $280 here: https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-DM6-USB-Kit-Eight-Piece/dp/B002C4SM5W
Thanks for the reply- Those were super helpful answers already, though they were only illustrative examples of many more questions I have.
The best resource like this I've found so far is in the book "The Addiction Formula" https://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Formula-Captivating-Commercial-Songwriting/dp/9082391309/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1525713259&sr=8-1
It has one section on rhythm which touches on the "why" of drums. Though the basic concept of the book is kind of cringey with the whole "get rich writing pop songs" vibe, it actually does have practical information in it- Just curious what other similar resources people are aware of that get deeper into drumming.
I realize simply listening to a lot of good drumming and focusing on the drum work is probably the best way to figure this out, but since I'm an American I was hoping there would be some kind of easy shortcut :)
Maybe try this one: https://www.amazon.com/Graded-Music-Snare-Drum-Book/dp/1854724444
Seems like it might be what you're looking for. There are several levels, and it's fairly cheap through Amazon.
I'd need more context on you and your situation before I could hope to give a better recommendation.
Hope this helps!
My practice pad is on my desk at work ;-)
Alesis DRP100 | Extreme Audio-Isolation Electronic Drum Reference-Headphones with 1/4" Adapter & Protective Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IHVQ2FQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_GSGLZ3F3SPlzO I picked up a pair of these for home recording and I'm very impressed for the price.
You can get a $10 cowbell but you'll hate yourself every time he uses it. Do yourself a favor and don't buy a ear-piercing percussion. Maybe go for something cheaper like wood blocks. Not versatile as a cowbell maybe, but still cool.
Also I'd like to add they can be mounted on the bass drum
Here's my low-end suggestion: https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Kit-Electronic-Cymbals/dp/B0187KO8X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490596051&sr=8-1&keywords=alesis
Here's my high-end suggestion: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Customizable-Electronic-Textured-Silicone/dp/B00D3L447S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490595972&sr=8-2&keywords=yamaha+dtx
Frankly, for value, i'd go with my first link (Alesis) - I hear great great things with these kits for their price.
For straight ear protection, I recently bought these and they're great: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPCHBCQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These are so much better than the earmuffs off the shelf from the local hardware store. Lots of room inside for earbuds.
When I got my first drumkit way back in 1990 I got a pair of those industrial headphones they use on construction sites - something like this - and then broke off the earpieces from a pair of Walkman headphones and put them inside the construction headphones. Did a good job of blocking out the drum sounds just enough. A few years later someone at Vic Firth had the same idea and invented these.
The toms use the Pearl style tom mounts. So I think I need to change something or if I go with something like this:
Gibraltar 3-Mount Adjustable Stand
But a snare stand would work as well I would think.
nah man, the little ones won't cut it (at least not for me, here in AZ). Here's the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-908-Turbo-Force-Circulator/dp/B001R1Q0OG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479413407&sr=8-3&keywords=floor+fan It's fairly quiet, and adjustable. In my practice space, it's down to the left of my rack/2nd snare.
Some of the other's comments are legit too... get a nice throne with a cloth top (Pork Pie is king!) and Gold Bond is your friend.
I've been doing a lot of research and I'm going to go with this kit with the mesh heads. I'm not sure but I think I can swap in a Roland head with some finagling.
But I want to actually play with this kit before dropping a grand on it.
You're looking at around $35-50. Go Remo or Evans. My recommendation for your usage: remo powerstroke
Been a few days but i had my eye on these two. I know you guys said nothing but Roland but it seems like the on board training and being able to transfer songs to the Yamaha is pretty nice. Check these out because i'm definitely in the market for one next week.
Do you read sheet music? If so, check out this book - http://www.amazon.com/Afro-Cuban-Rhythms-Drumset-Book-CD/dp/0897245741
I worked through it several times and it gave me a great feel for that kind of stuff.
I feel you with the neighbor situation. I cannot play in my own house at all. If you can read some rhythms, I highly suggest this book - http://www.amazon.com/Drummers-Cookbook-Pickering-Frank-Briggs/dp/0786631953 If you work through it accenting backbeats and play the other snare notes as ghost strokes, it will help quite a bit.
It has been a very long time since I have seen it, but I remember that the instructional book Rockin' Bass Drum was very good for working on this kind of thing.
Watch these two videos ASAP!!!:
Brain Has Made the Worst Instructional DVD Ever
Incredible insight and also very entertaining! And then just make sure you are enjoying yourself when you are playing!