Drum Practice Pads - Why You Should Have At Least One

If you are thinking about taking drum lessons, but are not quite sure if the drums are really your thing, you don't need to go out and spend a small fortune on a drum set with cymbals and all. In fact, you don't even need to get a snare drum kit, which can run $100 or more just for renting. If you want to get the feel of what it is like to play drums you can start small and get a drum practice pad and a pair of sticks. Now, everyone knows what drumsticks are, but many people are not familiar with what a drum practice pad is. This article will describe what a practice pad is, and why you need one.
Percussion practice pads have been around for a long time. Many people will recall the old style pads as the large wood base with another slanted piece of wood attached, and a square piece of rubber glued to the top. Well, although these handy little items are still the same in theory, they have come a long way and have evolved to be more refined, with improved design features that make it more like a musical instrument than just a practice aid.
Many types of pads use the rubber top, but the quality of the rubber has improved, with larger surface areas. you can find some that are round, and some that are hexagonal, but the shape is not necessarily the important feature. The thick rubber pad provides a bouncy feel that simulates the feel of hitting a drum and virtually eliminates any sound. This is one of the primary features of a practice pad. They cost anywhere between $10 and $60, and some come with a pair of sticks as well. By reducing the sound to almost nothing people who are just learning tend to feel less self-conscious, and will not have to worry about disturbing others with the loud sound of a drum.
So, percussion practice pads, as they are sometimes referred to, are generally less expensive than a standard drum set-up, and are much quieter than a standard drum as well. Finally, they are small enough to carry around with you, making it convenient to practice whenever you have some extra time. These features combine to make the drum practice pad a terrific choice of equipment for beginning students who want to try playing the drums without the expense and the assault on the senses that a standard snare drum would require