Are you wondering how to expand yours or your child’s drum kit? If your young drummer is eager to add more gear to their setup, I’ll show you the best options for upgrading their kit—whether it’s adding new cymbals or considering a whole new set. Stick around to find out how to make the right choice based on their skills and your budget!
Hey, developing drummers and parents!
If your child is showing serious interest in drumming and wants to expand their kit, you’re probably thinking about what to add next. But before you go all out and buy a bunch of new gear, there are some key factors to consider.
Today, I’ll walk you through what to prioritize when expanding a drum kit, from budget-friendly options to more advanced upgrades. Let’s make sure you or the drummer in question, has the tools to grow their skills without overwhelming their current setup.
For brevity, we will presume you’re upgrading a kit for your child. But the same applies if you’re upgrading a kit for yourself.
Alright, first things first: before expanding the kit, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
- What’s your budget?
- Is your child committed to drumming for the long term?
- Do you see them playing in a band anytime soon?
Answering these questions will help you decide how much you’re willing to invest and what gear makes the most sense.
Let’s say the answers are all positive, and your child is in it for the long haul. I recommend focusing less on expanding the kit right away and more on expanding the drummer.
As exciting as a bigger kit might seem, you want to make sure your child is mastering the basics first before adding more complexity.
Now, assuming you’re ready to invest in an upgrade, let’s look at a possible current setup example:
- Bass drum.
- Snare drum.
- 2 tom-toms.
- 1-floor tom.
- 18 inch ride cymbal.
- 14 inch crash cymbal.
- Hi-hat cymbals.
This is a solid 5-piece beginner kit. But if you’re ready to expand, I’d suggest making incremental upgrades, starting with the cymbals. Adding variety in cymbals will give your child more tonal options without overwhelming them.
A good upgrade could be the addition of a:
- 20 inch ride cymbal.
- 10 inch splash cymbal.
- 14 inch crash cymbal.
- or 16 inch crash cymbal.
You could also consider adding a second floor tom for some extra range or possibly a second snare drum for more sound options. These additions will give the kit a fuller and wider sound range without going overboard.
As for drumheads, make sure you’re using quality heads like Pinstripes. They make a world of difference in sound, and even a basic kit can sound pro-level with the right heads. And a dash of good tuning, of the drums.
If you’ve got the budget for it, you could consider replacing the whole kit down the road. Moving to something like a Yamaha Custom, or upgrading to higher-end Pearl or Tama kits will not only improve sound but can also boost your child’s confidence as they hear the improvement in the tone of each drum.
But here’s my core philosophy: your child doesn’t need a massive kit to become a great drummer. A 5-piece kit can cover most musical needs. Instead of focusing on size, focus on the quality of the sound. Good cymbals, upgraded drumheads, and maybe a couple of extra elements like cowbells or electronics, (such as the Roland octopod), are all they need to express themselves musically.
Everything ultimately comes down to your budget and how committed they are to drumming, as well as the style of music they prefer. If they’re serious, investing in better quality gear over time will pay off.
But remember, you may have spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over a 2 year period for example. During which time you could have saved up for a higher-end kit. And instead focused more on becoming a better drummer. Possibly through investing in more drumming books and other learning resources.
So, what next?
Whether you’re upgrading cymbals or thinking about a whole new kit, remember that expanding the drummer’s skillset is just as important as expanding the kit itself.
Now, if you’re looking for more resources to help your child improve their drumming skills, check out my next post where I’ll recommend the best beginner drummer DVDs.
