Buying Your First Drum Set: What’s Included and What’s Not

January 09, 2026

Buying your first drum set is exciting, but it can also be confusing if you’re not sure what you need to get started. You may be surprised that not all drum kits come with everything you need.

If you’ve ever thought, “Wait… I still need to buy more stuff?”—you’re not alone. This guide breaks down what usually comes with a drum kit, what often doesn’t, and what each piece does, so you can walk in confident and prepared. And Drum Flip is always here to help.

The Core of the Drum Kit: The Shell Pack

Most drum sets are sold as a shell pack, which includes the drums themselves (the “shells”). A typical shell pack includes:

Bass Drum (Kick Drum) – The large drum played with a foot pedal. This may include a tom mount post.
Rack Toms – Smaller drums mounted above the bass drum
Floor Tom – The larger tom that stands on the floor and floor tom legs

The Snare Drum: The Heart of the Kit

Photo – use the one that ed sent.

Many entry to mid-level kits come with a snare, so don’t fret.

The snare drum gives you that iconic crack you hear in almost every style of music. Because it’s such a personal choice, many manufacturers sell it separately, and many drummers have more than one.

Cymbals: Almost Always Sold Separately

Most drum kits do not include cymbals. At a minimum, you’ll need:

Hi-Hats – Two cymbals played with a foot pedal. In general, these are the most used cymbals.
Crash Cymbal – For accents and transitions
Ride Cymbal – For steady grooves and timekeeping

Beginner cymbal packs are a great way to get everything you need at once. And when you are ready, you can trade-in your beginner cymbals at Drum Flip for an upgrade.

Hardware: The Unsung Heroes

Hardware is everything that holds your drums and cymbals in place, including:

Snare stand
Hi-hat stand
Cymbal stands
Bass drum pedal

Some beginner kits include basic hardware, but many shell packs do not, so this is an important thing to double-check.

Drum Throne: Yes, You Need One

It may not look exciting, but a drum throne (your seat) is essential. A good throne helps with:

Comfort during longer sessions
Proper posture
Better balance and control

Trust us. This is not the place to cut corners.

Drum Sticks: Easy to Forget, Impossible to Play Without

Drum sticks are essential. Most drum kits do not include drum sticks.

A basic pair of sticks is all you need to get started, and it’s a good idea to grab an extra pair as a backup.

Drum Key: Small Tool, Big Importance

A drum key is a small tool used to tune drums and adjust hardware. Most drum kits do not include a drum key, but you’ll need one to properly set up and maintain your kit.

They’re inexpensive, easy to keep in a stick bag, and essential for basic tuning and adjustments.

So… What Do You Actually Need to Start Playing?

Here’s a simple checklist for a playable, complete drum setup:

Shell pack (bass drum + toms)
Snare drum
Cymbals (hi-hats, crash, ride)
Hardware (stands + bass drum pedal)
Drum throne
Drumsticks
drum key

That may sound like a lot, but the good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. We are always here to help you at Drum Flip.

Bringing It All Together

Buying your first drum set shouldn’t feel intimidating. The reason kits are sold in pieces is flexibility—you get to build a setup that fits your budget, your space, and your musical goals.

At Drum Flip, we love helping all drummers put together a complete kit that makes sense. Whether you’re brand new, shopping for someone else or just wanting a new kit, we’re always happy to walk you through the options, explain the differences, and make sure you leave ready to play.