Getting started?

First thread, first post, unfortunately I could not find a 'My first drum kit' type thread or anything that would humble one into starting to play the drums.

I was wondering where on earth do I even start? I don't want to invest several hundred dollars into a full kit or pieces of a kit and have it not be my passion. Unfortunately I never got started into playing an instrument when I was younger , so getting started is kind of awkward for me.

I had a friend recommend getting a practice pad of sorts, was there any that you can recommend?

The main drive for me to want to play the drums or start playing any instrument is X Japan, believe it or not. A friend of mine introduced me to X and I was instantly hooked, I really just want to play X's songs and maybe someday learn to play the piano(though it's a far-off dream), just so I can play music by X and Yoshiki.

Some of Yoshiki's piano work:

One song in particular is Silent Jealousy, unfortunately the only way I could find it w/ a decent sound quality is in an AMV a fan made using some clips from various anime's

Someone covering one of X's songs(titled 'X')

I hate playing on a practice pad kit.

I started cheap, but if I had to start really cheap I'd go to some pawn shops until I found a small kit with some hats for $150 or less. Then I'd go home and put everything away except for the hats, snare and bass. Play with some music and see if the beat moves you or not. I think if you set up a whole kit, you end up whacking on stuff for fun instead of seeing what you can really do with the core of the kit.

I actually hadn't considered pawn shops...though there aren't many around where I live.

You're new, too? This is only my 4th post. I'm pretty much in the same position as you... I'm just a starting drummer... and I am definately not "loaded" with cash. I (JUST recently) got my first kit from a place in MI for 300 bucks... it had everything, including throne, hardware, and cymbals. You can also (occasionally) find good deals on Guitarcenter.com or Musiciansfriend.com, or (less occasionally) at Music Go Round. Good Luck!

craigs list would be best, sometimes ebay...

Mondo's right...I've seen entire kits for 100.00. But to say you wanna play just to be able to cop a group is rather odd. This whole learning process, especially for drumming, is pretty intricate. And when starting off, you're not gonna sound a whole lot like the tune. I'm not trying to scare you off, far from it, but drumming requires some real work and real time.

Find your self a "gladstone pad". It's a rubber pad that usually fits onto a drum to give practicing more bounce and stick movement, but you can lay it down on anything like a table or a desk. Pick up a pair of sticks, go to a beginning online teaching site (some have been listed in this forum) and see if you can pick up on what they are talking about and doing. Try it for a week or so and then if your still intrigued, we can guide you on how to begin. I'd love to have another drum join the ranks, but I rather not have another drumset be placed in one of those pawnshops for lack of interest...

I agree w/ both Mondo and Carmine. But a word of caution. I don't have ANY experience w/ Craigslist, but plenty w/ ebay. Be VERY CAREFUL! There's some pretty creative cons out there. This is from experience. I've been lucky. I've resolved all my issues and am only out about $40.00. Check sellers ratings; start a communication w/ them; examine all pictures very closely; only deal w/ sellers who use Pay Pal. Percussion is a big undertaking, choose wisely grasshopper. Later, Marko

When I got my first pay check, I started paying my friend $100 a week until I payed him the $450. I got the kit, cymbals, thrown, and sticks.