# I want to learn drumming **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2020, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644 "2020-01-19T02:48:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/81 "2020-02-01T19:37:49Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > The hi-hat pedal just electronically changes the sound of the hi-hat; there is no physical connection between the pedal and the hi-hat. Really? So, _as you’re playing it_, it won’t let you slightly open and close it to create the usual sound variances that an opening and closing acoustic (metal) hi-hat would? ☹ ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/82 "2020-02-01T19:52:36Z")
You can strike the hi-hat and then hit the pedal (“close” it) while it’s ringing, which does damp the sound like an acoustic one does, but it’s all software magic; the pedal isn’t doing anything physical to the hi-hat disk itself. I don’t think that you can strike it while it’s closed and then open it to change the sound, or at least I haven’t been able to achieve any timing of strike & pedal that does that. I also don’t think you can “slightly” open/close it – I think there’s just a binary switch in the pedal that is either open or closed. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/83 "2020-02-01T20:00:25Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Really? So, _as you’re playing it_, it won’t let you slightly open and close it to create the usual sound variances that an opening and closing acoustic (metal) hi-hat would? > ☹ It’ll probably depend on the kit. The hi-hat trigger I have (which is just a pedal–the hat itself is just a normal cymbal pad that doesn’t open or close) does allow at least three different levels: open, closed, partially closed (and, of course, a “foot” hat.) I’m not sure how many levels of partially open/closed it distinguishes. If you just have a binary response, that’s something you can almost certainly upgrade. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/84 "2020-02-01T20:14:42Z")
Ah, interesting, thanks for both repsonses. Curious if there’s other electronic cymbal types, like for chinas, splashes, etc. (google-fu is failing me.) ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/85 "2020-02-12T00:59:32Z")
Any more opinions from markn+ or anyone else on the Alesis kits? I’m going to order the Nitro Mesh soon for the kids and me to bang on. Going to get a bunch of O/T w/ holiday pay tomorrow, and Five Four (and 3/4) suggested I go ahead and get it. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/86 "2020-02-14T23:25:07Z")
Hey **markn+** , how’s the drummin’ comin’? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/87 "2020-02-15T03:01:25Z")
…don’t they have machines for that now? — Uke, horns and keyboard ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/88 "2020-02-15T03:04:26Z")
Ya heard about the drummer who thought “five to the bar” meant the combo was taking a break? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/89 "2020-02-15T03:05:30Z")
…sorry, coming in late. Have all the drummer jokes already been made? ---
**Author:** ![flip-68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@flip-68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flip-68)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2020, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/90 "2020-02-15T07:46:37Z")
i only have one: whats the difference between a drummer and a drum machine? you only have to punch the instructions into a drum machine once. anyhoo, excellent thread - i’ve been fascinated to read about mark’s journey into drumming and all the expertise on offer here 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644/91 "2020-03-17T15:01:20Z")
Reviving the thread - with all the time freed up from lack of commuting and social distancing, I bought a practice pad and some drum sticks (not quite ready to invest in an entire kit. Also, I live in a condo, so my neighbors (who are also social distancing) might not be huge fans)). A lot of the links are to drumeo - are they good? or just really good marketers? Could I follow, say, their rudiments lessons to start? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-drumming/846644.md?page=4)