Home » Guitar

Guitar vs Drums – Which One To Choose?

Juan Stansbury June 3, 2023

If you are thinking about buying new instruments, you have a lot of great options to choose from.

Still, there are many things to consider when picking out an instrument. Especially if you are planning to learn music for the first time.

Here in this post, we will go over the specific differences between guitar vs drums.

Either instrument should serve you well in your musical journey. Guitars and drums are fun to play and have both positive and negative aspects to them.

With either instrument, though, you will have to take the time and effort to learn how to properly play them.

So, we will discuss everything you need to know about guitars and drums here. You want to make the right choice for your musical needs.

Again, instruments take a big investment of time and money. This is true even when you are just playing for fun or as a hobby.

So you don’t want to waste time on something that you aren’t going to enjoy.

What You Need to Know About Guitars

Video: “Basic Guitar Physics or How the Guitar Really Works”

Guitars are one of the most popular instruments on the market. People of all musical levels enjoy playing this instrument, but beginners are especially drawn to the guitar.

The guitar has six-strings and can be bought in either an electric or acoustic version. Which style of guitar you choose to buy is up to you. Both, either electric or acoustic will get you far professionally or when you are learning on your own time.

There are a ton of different guitars out there as well. In terms of sound and style, you can find almost anything to suit your musical tastes. Some guitars will cost you a fortune though.

Especially if you are looking to build up a collection of guitars. The look of a guitar can be just as varied too. So we recommend getting something that matches your aesthetic.

In addition, the guitar is a rhythm-based instrument. Most instruments require a basic sense of rhythm.

But guitar builds on rhythm and adds melodies and harmonies to make it stand out. Chords and scales must be learned when you are first playing the guitar. This is the foundation of most guitar playing.

What You Need to Know About Drums

Video: “How To Play Drums (Beginner Drum Lesson)”

Drums come in all shapes and sizes and are usually bought together in a set. These instruments can cost a lot, but you won’t have to replace them often.

In addition, drums are on the heavy side so they are harder to move around from place to place. If you plan on playing professionally, be prepared to struggle as you put your drum kit away after a gig.

Still, drums are a much-beloved instrument. They are at the heart of most music and act as a sort of rhythm keeper for live and recording bands.

So, anyone who plans on playing this instrument needs a keen sense of timing and rhythm. You might also want to start doing some upper body workouts.

Drums are pretty involved and require a lot of movement in the upper body. You need some strength in your arms and chest to build up endurance and play as long as you want to.

You don’t have to start building up a ton of muscle, just enough to keep your arms in shape. Also, something to know about the drums is their demand.

Guitar and other popular instruments are great, but music professionals really need good drummers. If you learn how to play the drums well, you will be able to find a job more easily!

What Are The Differences Between Guitars and Drums

Guitars and drums have some things in common. But there are many differences that need to be thought about before you make your big purchase as well.

We’ll talk about guitar vs drums here in this final section. You want to know the specific differences between these instruments to make the best choice.

When looking between these two musical products, cost should be considered first. For some people, the cost will be the defining factor in their choice.

Other people might be willing to spend any amount of money on their guitar or drum set. Regardless it is good to have a price point for any instrument you buy.

In general, guitars just cost less. You can buy guitars a lot cheaper than you can drums kits. This is why so many new musicians gravitate towards the guitar.

However, we don’t recommend buying the cheapest guitar you find. This could actually be detrimental. Cheaper instruments might seem like a good investment, but they can break down.

They are made of less quality material. So, you want to spend a little extra to get an instrument that will actually last. Around two-hundred to two-hundred and fifty dollars should be spent on your first guitar.

This way you won’t have to buy a new guitar because yours keeps breaking. You can get a good deal with either electric or acoustics guitars. Mostly the choice between acoustic and electric is up to preference.

Drums

When it comes to drum products, the cost can be a lot more. Since you need to buy a whole drum kit, this makes a lot of sense. Still, just know that drums can cost upwards of double to even three times the price of a guitar.

Most basic drum kits will be around five-hundred dollars though. You have a lot of parts with a drum and you might need to replace them down the line as well.

Still, guitars can get pricy once you are out of the beginner’s stages of learning. If you get new guitars or want more fancy guitars the cost can add up just as much as a drum kit. This depends on how far you will go into your hobby or career though.

Another consideration to make between guitar vs drums is the level of sound. Not all musicians need to worry about this. Especially if you have a soundproof room or area of your home dedicated to music. However, if you have people living with you or you live near other people in a quiet neighborhood this could be something you’ll have to think about seriously.

It is no secret, but drums can be very loud. When you pound away on a drum kit you could end up waking people up and even getting a noise complaint. Electronic based drums can minimize some of the sounds and even lower it.

But not everyone will want to use an electronic drum. In some cases, you might only be able to use your drum in a studio. So you definitely need to keep this in mind.

Still, this doesn’t mean that the guitar can’t be loud. Acoustic guitars are relatively low on sound output and won’t cause you many issues. However, electric guitars can get quite loud. You can adjust the sound more than you can with drums though.

And you can even use headphones and plug them into your instrument at night. So this instrument can be a more convenient option for some people.

Guitars are much smaller than drums, and they are much easier to move around and transport. So you want to think about this before going with a drum.

Drum kits can be harder to move. They are heavier and far less portable. This does not mean you shouldn’t get a drum, it’s just something else you have to factor into your choice.

Lastly, you want to consider your own musical leanings when you buy your instrument. Guitar and drums are played in two very different ways. Rhythm is essential with both instruments. But you will be playing different styles of music and will have to learn different skills and tricks.

Some people prefer to stick with chords and strumming over learning complicated drumming patterns. In truth, though, either one of these instruments could be difficult to play. It just depends on your own skill level and preferences.

So, we recommend getting a feel for each instrument before you decide to buy it. Go out to a music store and try to experiment with each instrument. See which one is right for you, and even do a little research on guitar and drums to compare the sound of both products.

Conclusion

Between guitars and drums, you should have a great time learning to play your new instrument. In general, taking on music as a hobby, or as a profession, brings you fulfillment and happiness. Still, picking out a great instrument that is suited to you and your needs is important.

In this post, we went over the differences between guitar vs drums. Guitars and drums both have features to love. But there are also considerations to be made about these instruments. For instance, cost, loudness, and difficulty should all be considered.

Each of these aspects of drums and guitars was talked about in detail. So, with this knowledge on guitar vs drums, you should be able to pick out your instrument easily now!