Should Beginners Use Electronic Drum Kits?
Technically, this is a matter preference. The price for electronic drum kits has come down enough today that it is entirely possible for beginners or hobbyists to buy electronic drum sets. However, whether this is a good idea or not is a different question.
Regardless of the advances in technology, electronic drum kits and the special electronic pads are much more forgiving than hitting actual acoustic drum heads. Electronic pads are usually made of mesh or rubber and lack the tension and bouncing effect that comes with a properly mounted and tuned drum head. This means that although the basics are generally the same, a beginner that learns exclusively on an electronic kit may have considerable difficulty getting the right sound on an acoustic set. Many drummers that learned on acoustic sets also have problems when switching over to electronic ones, but this is usually just a brief matter of getting used to the new feel. Players that learn on acoustic sets will be stronger than those that learn on electronic ones.
Conversely, many modern electronic kits come with a myriad of additional electronic features that can make learning the drums much easier. These additional features may include metronomes, play along songs, and lots of preset drum and percussion sounds. These add-on features can make it much easier for a beginner to get the hang of playing the drums, especially if they are teaching themselves as opposed to receiving lessons from and experienced player. Beginners that are receiving lessons from more experienced players may find these additional features completely useless or even counter productive.
It should also be noted that when playing on electronic drum sets, it is important to not hit as hard or aggressively as you would on an acoustic set. Ideally you should consider using the special sticks that have been developed specifically for electronic kit playing. These sticks have special inserts on the butt-end that relieve pressure on the player’s wrist and forearm.
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