Hello, I am new to the drums too..

[Helenleft]

I just got my TD-9S kit after a lot of consideration. The sounds available are great, and the practice features are very good too.
I have some experience playing bass, but got the drum "bug" this year. I always wanted to play, but acoustic drums were not an option.
I remember not being very impressed with electronic drums a few years ago. Looks like a LOT has changed. These drums will do very nicely for me.
Still learning how these things work, but thats part of the fun. My first challenge was setting up left-handed, but I figured it out eventually. I would like to find a teacher sometime in the near future. For now, its the beginner's DVD. So far, its been a lot of fun!
Peace,
Helen

[eric_B]

Hi Helen and welcome here! I've been playing for about 4 months now (I did play keyboard and digital piano's for lots of years). Funny you've setup you kit left-handed: I'm a lefty myself but just set it up the 'normal' way. Maybe I'll give SuperPuss's setup with the hihat in the middle a try someday, but for know it's OK.

Good luck with your TD-9, it's great. Check out the VEX kit when you're ready, they will make your kit sound even better.

Just curious: are you a (semi-)midlife crisis player or did you just leave the craddle?

[saku]

welcome helen!

i too am a lefty on a td-9, but like eric i decided to keep the set traditional...i's write more but i have 2 kittens sleeping on my chest, making it hard to see the keyboard...

[Makomachine]

Welcome from a fellow newbie. Just got my TD-9SX and started a training program that includes Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials" and Mark Wessel's "A Fresh Approach To The Snare Drum". I'm finding them to be a good balance given the absence of an instructor at this point. Tommy is more about learning grooves and 'playing' and Mark is about technique, rudiments, etc.

Don't have the lefty issue but my own set of challenges. Good luck and enjoy!

[Hercules]

Hi Helen and welcome,

Nice to see another lefty on board - I also play LH and have my kit set up the left way. How about some photos of your kit? It's always good to see how the elite LH drummers group setup. :-)

[Fat Rich]

Welcome Helen

I'm another lefty, also a former bass player!

Just to confuse the issue even more, I play right handed drum kit (and basses) but I don't play crossed. In other words left hand to play hi-hat, right hand to play the ride.

The advantage being you don't end up with one developed hand and one weak hand and I don't keep clacking the sticks together like I used to when I played crossed. Also by playing a standard kit layout you can jump on most drum kits and not have to rearrange everything.

The only disadvantage is other drummers look at me like I'm wierd, although come to think of it that might not be because of the drumming.

As for beginner DVDs, there's a lot of free stuff on the web, I'm currently working through www.freedrumlessons.com seems pretty good.

Would suggest getting a few lessons too to sort out technique and get you playing correctly right from the start. They'll also be able to add their views on the righty / lefty debate.

Rich

[John.b]

Hi there Helen. Welcome to the club girl. I took up playing again about a year and a half ago now after a 20 year layoff, and it would'nt of happened without these Rolands.

Like most instruments, things can get frustrating at times, but you just got to keep going and all will come right in the end.

Have fun.

[andybear]

Hi Helen,

The TD9-sx should take you a long way. No problems with mine.
I have the Tommy DVD and like the approach. You may want to take a couple of lessons when you can just to learn proper tecnique.

When I started lessons, I learned that bad habits can be hard to break.

[eric_B]

Hmmm, still no reply from Helen. Maybe 'HelenLeft'?

[saku]

Hmmm, still no reply from Helen. Maybe 'HelenLeft'?

hopefully she's busy drumming!

[eric_B]

hopefully she's busy drumming!

No, I'm afraid we scared her away. Too bad, not so many girls around here...

[saku]

No, I'm afraid we scared her away. Too bad, not so many girls around here...

We have superpuss and 3 cup candy and Dee, together they are more than enough for the rest of us!

[eric_B]

We have superpuss and 3 cup candy and Dee, together they are more than enough for the rest of us!

Well, as posted in the 'Little Known Facts About Members' thread, it could be the first 'girl' has been disguised!

[LordLucan]

Hi Helen, I got addicted to drumming this year too! Its a safer mid-life crisis than motorbikes, but potentially just as expensive...