Electronic drum kit advice - for a 7 year old.

[Landlord]

Hi

My 7 year old has expressed an interest in learning the drums. Due to our living arrangements we can’t have a traditional set (despite being offered a set for free!). Are there electronic kits out there that are suitable for someone his size (though he’s fairly big for his age) or will a normal size one be better? Any recommendations on make? Any general advice? Not looking to spend too much as he may not really like it. Second-hand/eBay is an option therefore.

Thanks,
Phil.

[Odie]

Advice I was given was to start of a youngster with a practice pad, a decent set of nylon headed sticks & a metronome, moving onto a single snare drum, then to a full kit. Perhaps throwing in some other percussion instruments into the mix for variety (xylophone, glockenspiel)

I believe Roland are the leader in the electric drum kit market.

[GnuBee]

A normal size one will have enough adjustment to fit - certainly be easier than doing the same with an acoustic kit where you'd definitely have to find a child sized one.

No idea of your budget but proper electronic kits that have any kind of feel/response are not cheap and you're primarily looking at Roland, Yamaha and possible Alesis who make kits that use a mesh head (which is desirable - honestly).

I'd be tempted to get him an informal lesson or lessons somewhere just to see if he actually does want to play.

[Landlord]

Thanks both. To be honest, I had no idea as to budget but it looks like it'll need to be £200-£300 which is too much on a whim.

GnuBee said:

I'd be tempted to get him an informal lesson or lessons somewhere just to see if he actually does want to play.

Very good point. I think this will be the best way to go.

[Z06George]

Odie said:

Perhaps throwing in some other percussion instruments into the mix for variety (xylophone, glockenspiel)

Lessons yes but I'd hold off on buying these. Maybe a practice glock but xylos go for 4 figures normally unless you can find an old second hand one.
Agree with the pad first comment.

[bennyboysvuk]

I had a Yamaha Xpress III a while back and I'm sure it could be adjusted to fit a 7 year old. It was an excellent unit that allowed various kit sounds to be used. I usually outputted it into quite a large external amp, but it was great with headphones too.

I was very impressed with it overall, however do note that if it is being used upstairs, the bass drum pedal still makes a racket downstairs as effectively you just thump it into the floor with every strike.

http://usa.yamaha.com/product_archive/drums/dtxpre...

[Spantney]

Its quite new out but the Alesis DM lite might be worth a look in. Its meant for beginners and even a brand new one is under £200.

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/alesis-dm-lite-kit/85324

You are probably looking at around £240 once you include a cheap stool, headphones and sticks but its got pretty good reviews - I don't think you'll get anything better for the money (maybe a second hand roland/yamaha kit).

Cheers