Korean Job Discussion Forums

seoulsteve · Joined: 03 Jul 2007

I've been taking drum lessons for a few months now, just starting to get serious about it. I'm thinking about buying a Roland electric set this weekend. I've been to the big music building in Insadong several times and it looks like a good place to buy. Are there any other places? I've seen other smaller shops around insadong, but they're mostly guitars and violins.

Also, how do you go about practicing on an acoustic set? Do you rent out a practice space? I have lessons twice a week but it would be nice to be able to practice on my own in my own time.

zeppelin · Joined: 08 Jan 2005

Hi,

First off I'm a bass player not a drummer but I have been looking into learning some drums.

For acoustic kit practice there are some music practice rooms in my city which have small drum rooms which can be rented out for lessons or solo practice. Check out your local practice rooms.

A lot of drum stuff seems to be very expensive in Korea. Nagwon is probably the best place to go to see, feel, and play the stuff. You may get a better deal online. You can do a search for "Roland V-drum" on google.co.kr or naver.com and you'll find some online deals.

When I was looking into getting an electronic drum set, I felt that the Roland stuff was too pricey for me. I looked into the Medeli sets. They are way cheaper and available in Korea. I haven't played any of the Medeli stuff so it could be total crap that breaks after a few months, but might be worth checking out. Again check out Medeli DD on google.co.kr or naver.com

Good luck.

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

Gmarket has the Medeli DD501, their smallest full kit model, for 690'000, and Roland's smallest full kit model, TD-4K for 1'950'000.

seoulsteve · Joined: 03 Jul 2007

Roland is a lot more expensive - but the quality is much better than the medeli I tried at Nagwon. Roland has a mesh snare which feels very similar to an acoustic snare. The prices online are cheaper, but they charge extra for every little thing like headphones, throne, etc. Nagwon will throw in a lot of stuff for free.

Can anyone recommend a practice space? I was going to one in hongdae but the drums were falling apart, I had to wait a while for rooms to open up and the owner was kind of a tool.

Mint · Joined: 08 May 2008

I'm in the same boat. I have just resigned myself to the fact that I'll have to wait until back home to play as much as I please.

Benicio · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject:

I bought a Roland kit at Nakwon many years ago and they threw in a free bass drum pedal.
I went with the Roland because it's the good stuff, but there are cheaper brands. Yamaha makes good electronic kits for cheaper. I wouldn't pass them up.
You may find good deals on the web.
Ask yourself, what is most important to you, saving money or having a good quality instrument that will last you for many years down the road.

As for acoustic vs. electric for practice, you don't really need to practice on an acoustic kit. If you have an electric at home, it will do just fine as I practice on mine all the time. It's a great substitute and the neighbors don't complain.

soakitincider · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

Most live music joints have a house kit. Go in late afternoon, be nice and buy em' a beer or 2. Works for me.

princey · Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Location: Seoul

where do you take lessons?

ZenMoto · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Location: Seoul / Seocho

There's a Yamaha electronic set on Seoul Craigslist that looks interesting.... Drum lessons are easy... Check with Dwayne @ Stompers bar in Itaewon or Tony at The Aussie Bar in Itaewon

soakitincider · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

yes, Dwayne @ Stompers may let you thump on his Sonors but make sure you talk to him first. Duh, can't believe I said that. Sonors aren't cheap, as we all know.

seoulsteve · Joined: 03 Jul 2007

fermentation · Joined: 22 Jun 2009

I used to play the drums and would love it if there was a place with a set to bang on once in awhile. The only place I know that allows people to use their drum set is this church but I'm not gonna subject myself to that crap just so I can play drums.

ZenMoto · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Location: Seoul / Seocho

There are music studios all over Seoul that have small rehearsal rooms that can be rented for about 10,000 won per hour if you just want to get some time on a real kit... There was another thread about this a while ago.

I know that Dwayne @ Stompers offers drum lessons at the bar when it's closed (before 7:00)

Tony at the Aussie Bar has a higher end electronic kit in his place and I'd bet he offers lessons as well.

I's ask Dwayne myself.

soakitincider · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

what he said

robot · Joined: 07 Mar 2006

This is a full list of jamrooms in Korea. Awesome x 10000000:

http://www.mule.co.kr/info/studio_Main.asp

Sorry, it's in Korean. The two I go to:

Loney Studios at Guro Digital Complex.
02-332-1472 / 010-4224-1991

Finemuse in Anyang right off hagwon-ga
http://cafe.daum.net/finemuze 010-4482-0928

Man won an hour is the norm. Worth it for sure.

Also: if anyone is a drummer and into indie-ish stuff, we are looking for a new dude to beat the skins. PM for more info.