DRUM SALES DONE RIGHT
HOW TO BEST SERVE DRUMMERS OF ALL AGES & LEVELS IN 2022
By Michael Raine
It ’ s been
high time we fix that ,
a few years since we last did a drum-specific feature in CMT , so it ’ s
don ’ t you think ? Drummers , of course , are a unique breed , which is only fitting given the unique nature of their instrument . So , for this article , we wanted to speak to people with distinctive perspectives on the customer / retailer dynamic as it relates specifically to drum sales . We also wanted to get an updated read on the drum market and how it ’ s shifting . As such , we spoke to a couple store owners from two of Canada ’ s top drum shops , but also included a drum educator and a drum products distributor . We hope you find their advice and perspectives interesting and useful .
PHOTO : PAVEL DANILYUK
These interviews have been edited for clarity and length .
JOHN DI CIOMMO
Owner , Drumland ( Vaughn , ON )
CMT : From what you ’ ve observed , was there a shift in what was popular during the height of the pandemic ? And has it changed with the return of live music ?
John Di Ciommo : Electronic drum kit sales exploded . People are home with time on their hands and they either added to an existing drum set or were just getting into it for the first time . So , in terms of sales , we sold a lot of electronic drum kits .
Now , there has been a shift to acoustic drums . People are back out playing and they ’ re like , “ Well , I ’ m going to treat myself to a new acoustic set .” And so , that ’ s what they ’ ve been doing , buying acoustic drums in the last six months , really .
CMT : Regarding that ratio of electronic versus acoustic drum sales , what are you predicting long-term ?
Di Ciommo : With more condos being built , the ease of recording , the ease of selecting different sounds by just turning a button – you go from vintage to modern to retro in seconds – there is that convenience with electronic . If I put on my guru hat and say it ’ s going to go one way or the other , I think there ’ s always going to be that natural desire to purchase an acoustic set . So , it depends
20 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE