Hey there!

I’m 14, and yesterday, during band class, my percussion director (I currently play in the pit) taught a lesson on the drum set. I fell head over heels in love with it, and since then, I’ve gone to Best Buy twice to play on their drums. However, I think both my dad and the management are going to grow tired of my frequent visits.

I don’t think I’m going to get a drum set of my own anytime soon–they’re kind of expensive. I would practice on the drum set in my band room, but my band director, for lack of a better word, is a childish ass, and he would get mad at me if I decided to. My neighbors play drums, but I’m not sure if they’d want me living at their house to play drums all the time. What is an inexpensive alternative?

Also, would I need lessons? My director gave me a book on how to play drum set, and it includes basic set up, posture, notation, as well as about a million different beats to play. It has lessons in it, too, and they build independence and everything. If I have this, would I still need to enlist the aid of a teacher? My classmates might also be able to help me.

Thank you so much! Also, what brand is best?