Fun decision that makes a lot of sense, right? Christmas for my family was a lot of gift card “tell me what you used it for” sort of gifts, which l generally prefer these days.

I have enough to get an electronic drum set I could learn the drums on without annoying the hell out of everyone around me (I could use a headset with them). I do want to learn drums some day, but just for fun. There’s no real goal outside if it looking fun to do.

The quality of pressure washer I would want to use would cost about the same as the drum kit and I cannot justify getting booth right now. I have used pressure washers before and I quite enjoy it. Someday I might even consider a cleaning business, so seeing if the magic grows or fades with a quality unit would be helpful.

I lean towards the later just because I don’t know that I have the room for a drum kit right now. Thoughts, opinions?

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
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    28 days ago

    What makes you feel more alive inside? That’s the one you’ll be more likely to stick to.

  • Jayb151@lemmy.world
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    28 days ago

    I mean, if you NEED a pressure washer, get that. If you don’t, get some fucking drums dude. I need a pressure washer and will be buying an electric drum kit instead.

  • Bizzle@lemmy.world
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    28 days ago

    Pressure washer. In the spring you can make enough money with it to buy a drum kit.

  • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    28 days ago

    What’s your living situation? You mentioned not necessarily having the room for a drumkit. Similarly, do you really have a need for a pressure washer? Do you live on a large property in an area in which the climate necessitates regular pressure washing? Do you have the knowledge and tools to commit to regular maintenance of either the drumkit or the pressure washer? I don’t mean like fully disassemble style maintenance, but whatever is suggested in the owner’s manual.

    • Sciaphobia@lemm.eeOP
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      28 days ago

      The closest thing to a need I have for a pressure washer is to determine whether I would like going into pressure washing for a job - which would probably necessitate learning landscaping too at some point, as I am unsure how common pressure washing services are sought after as a standalone thing. I have done a little research in that direction, but not much, since I would need some sustained use to determine whether I would want to really commit to something like that. My thought there was to volunteer services using it for neighborhood/community cleanup, which could build a portfolio if I wanted one, and make the places around me nicer, perhaps. As for knowledge and tools for maintenance, probably not, but I would be able to learn/get what I need in either realm.

      • Maeve@kbin.earth
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        28 days ago

        Pressure washing is very sustainable as a standalone, and you can make money, even with to afford a drum kit. But if you hate it, you’re not going to stick with it, day in and day out. Then you have an expensive tool you’ll use occasionally. If you won’t stick with drums either, may as well use it on something else that brings you some account of pleasure and gratitude.

  • Dave@lemmy.nz
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    28 days ago

    Get a pressure washer. Then you could get a cheap electronic drum pad like this.

    If you enjoy the drums you can upgrade to a better set later.

    • Sciaphobia@lemm.eeOP
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      28 days ago

      I was actually given one of those pads a year ago, but I have been hesitant to use it. It’s so much smaller than an actual set I would be worried it would cause the development of bad habits. If you know drumming, do you know if that is a reasonable concern?

      • Ben Hur Horse Race@lemm.ee
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        28 days ago

        I play drums. This is not a reasonable concern.

        You won’t skill up in terms of being able to play a drum kit with this pad thing, but it will get you used to keeping time and learning how to separate your limbs (like how you slowly are able to tap a different pattern with your right foot than you are doing with your right hand).

        if you’re worried about it, cross your right hand over your left and keep rhythm on the hi-hats with your right while hitting the accents with your left.

      • Swordgeek@lemmy.ca
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        28 days ago

        If you want to learn drums well, skip the gimmicks and toys, and get a solid practice pad (Remo, Vic Firth, etc.). You can learn a lot - and can practice fundamentals endlessly with that.

      • Dave@lemmy.nz
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        28 days ago

        I can’t say I know drumming, but from what I can search up it’s apparently better than nothing. An electronic drum kit is better than a pad but not as good as a real kit. They all have different feels.

        However, it seems that doing anything (even air drumming) is better than doing nothing.

        If you are serious, then investigate lessons. You might be able to use real drums at your lessons and the pad for in-between. The teacher should be able to help you pick good exercises for using on the pad.

        From what I’m searching up, it seems if you’re not doing lessons you’ll get bad habits regardless, but it shouldn’t prevent you from starting. Anything is better than doing nothing.

      • trolololol@lemmy.world
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        28 days ago

        I don’t do drums but I’m sure you can develop bad habits with any instrument if you don’t get proper lessons.

        You can learn a lot by yourself, but if you start getting serious (like 1+h practice every day) get a teacher to look after your posture, hand position, arm movement yadda yadda

  • cabron_offsets@lemmy.world
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    28 days ago

    Buy a drum pad and a set of sticks and practice rudiments for a year. Only then decide whether you want a full kit. Ask the guy at the music shop to help you select a pair of sticks. You can default to 5A or 5B as a reasonable option. Vater sticks and pads are inexpensive and quality.

  • Masta_Chief@lemmy.world
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    28 days ago

    The hardest part of learning a new instrument is sticking with it. Learning on a pad is kinda boring, adding a barrier to playing. Learning on a drum kit is more fun but bothers everyone around you, adding a barrier to playing. Small electric drum kits are a good route, and like you said you can use headphones, but can also plug in any speaker and jam with some friends or plug in to an aux in and jam with a song. The pounding on the electric kit is still kinda loud, especially if there’s someone who lives below you, but there’s ways to insulate and minimize the floor noise.

    Also makes sure you get some real sticks, not whatever crap they include with an ekit.

    Drums are super fun and I hope you successfully get your foot in the door with whatever gets you consistently playing! Lmk if you have any questions.

    Idk much about power washers other than I’ve rented one from home depot once and it worked fine. I’m sure you could get a used one pretty cheap too.

    • Sciaphobia@lemm.eeOP
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      28 days ago

      I actually do have a question for you, since you sound like you have some familiarity. One of the things I saw you can do with electronic kits or those rhythm guitar hero/rockband style games with em too. Just like guitar hero is not playing a guitar, I imagine those things are not playing the drums, but are they something you’d actively avoid doing while learnin’?

      • fan0m@lemmy.world
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        28 days ago

        They are similar but not quite the same. I haven’t played in a while but those games don’t have as robust hi hat capabilities as well as some of the other ways you can play a drum, such as using brushes or using the bell of the ride.

        Also depends on the type of e kit you buy. Some of those things are for more expensive models

  • SadSadSatellite @lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    28 days ago

    A second hand drum kit will be more reliable than a second hand power washer, so you could get a washer with gift cards and then look for a good deal on a drum kit.

    That being said, playing drums makes you more fun and interesting. Having a power washer makes you more likely to be asked to clean things.

  • WeebLife@lemmy.world
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    28 days ago

    As a fellow drummer myself, I would def get an E kit. I got myself a Roland kit a couple years ago and it’s been amazing. It has really allowed me to improve and hone my skills. Also, just because you have enough for a drum kit, I wouldn’t get the cheapest one out there. You want it to last you a good while.

  • whotookkarl@lemmy.world
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    27 days ago

    Don’t buy a pressure washer, rent one. You won’t need it very often, and if you do consider a business it’ll let you try one or two more out first before committing to a purchase. Also learning a musical instrument is really fulfilling for a lot of people.