When choosing a drum set, there are many things to keep in mind. Not least of all the price and quality. Cheap all in one sets may look good but are often flimsy and will need replacing within a short time. The best sets are a little more expensive but are better built and should last much longer. This is especially important if you have a young drummer, who needs something that will last throughout their adolescence until they are ready to upgrade to a professional drum kit.
There are also a lot of accessories that can be added to a drum set. Most of these are either to make it easier to use or they give it a special sound. For example, a dampening mat can help to reduce the amount of vibration and resonance coming from the cymbals and drum heads. This in turn makes them more enjoyable to play and can improve their tone as well as making it easier to play for a long period of time. A tuning tool can also be a great addition to a drum set. TuneBot can help you to keep your drums in tune and avoid unwanted detuning. This can save a lot of frustration when you have to spend an hour or so re-tuning the whole kit! A metronome can be useful too. This will help to keep you on rhythm and can be a great tool for beginners. It can also be helpful for improvising, as it allows you to hear your own beat in the mix and can help you to develop your timing.
A bass drum is another vital part of any drum set. Most of the drums in a drum set are attached to it, and if you want a good sounding set you will need a decent sized bass drum. For a beginner, the best option is usually a 22 inch bass drum. This will be large enough for most beginners and will be able to handle most styles of music.
Some drummers will choose to add a floor tom to their drum set. This can be a great way to get a bit more depth in your drum sound and is common in metal and hard rock bands. However, it is worth mentioning that this is a very large kit and can be difficult to lug around if you are playing gigs.
A ride cymbal is another popular addition to the standard drum set. This is generally a larger cymbal that can provide some dynamic and tonal variety to your drum sound. It can be particularly useful for drummers who are moving towards jazz from a rock or metal background. There are also a wide range of other effect cymbals out there which can be a fun and creative addition to any drum kit.