Natal Drum Kit for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Starting with a Natal Drum Kit: What You Need to Know

Natal is a British drum kit manufacturer known for solid construction, approachable pricing and genuine playability. If you're a beginner drummer considering a Natal drum kit, you're looking at a sensible choice — the brand delivers reliability without charging premium prices. This guide walks you through what to expect, how to get started, and which Natal kits are suitable for learners.

Who Is Natal and What Do They Make?

Natal is a British heritage brand with decades of experience making drums. They're not the most glamorous name in the market, but they're respected for building drum kits that sound good, last for years, and don't require a mortgage. Natal positions itself firmly in the mid-range market — quality instruments for working drummers and serious students, not ultra-budget entry-level kits or hand-made boutique instruments.

What Sets Natal Apart

Natal drum kits feature solid shell construction (usually maple or birch), reliable hardware and thoughtful hardware design. The brand doesn't chase trends or cut corners on internal components to lower price. A Natal kit sounds professional because it's built professionally, even at entry-level prices.

Natal Drum Kit Series for Beginners

Natal offers several series at various price points. Here's what beginner drummers typically encounter.

Artist Birch Series

An entry-level offering with birch shells (warm, focused tone) and solid hardware. This is the most popular Natal choice for learning drummers. Kits include all essential components — bass drum, toms, snare and cymbal pack. Sound quality is genuinely good; build quality is reliable. Expect to invest £300–600 for a complete kit.

Artist Maple Series

Similar hardware but with maple shells, which project slightly brighter tone. Maple is associated with higher-end kits, but Natal manages to include it even at entry-level prices. These kits cost slightly more than birch (£400–700) but feel premium.

Cafe Racer and Originals Series

These are more specialized, often aimed at experienced players looking for character and vintage aesthetics. Beginners typically don't need these — they're not more playable, just different in sound and style.

Your First Natal Kit: What Comes in the Box

A typical beginner Natal kit includes five drums: a bass drum (kick drum), three tom drums (high, mid, low) and a snare drum. Most packages also include a basic cymbal package (hi-hat, crash, ride cymbals) and hardware for mounting everything.

The Shells

Natal shells are solid. They're not hand-finished or hand-selected, but they're crafted with consistent quality. When you open a new Natal kit, expect the shells to feel rigid, with clean bearing edges (the top and bottom edges where you tension the drum heads).

Hardware Quality

Natal hardware is reliable without being delicate. Tension rods (which you use to tune the drums) work smoothly. Tom holders are solid without excessive weight. Hardware won't feel cheap, though it won't feel luxurious either.

Getting Started with Your Natal Kit

When your Natal drum kit arrives, here's the practical approach to setup and first playing.

Step 1: Unpack Carefully

Remove everything from the cases and lay it out. Check that all pieces match the packing list. Hardware should be packed in labeled bags — organise these before starting assembly.

Step 2: Assemble the Bass Drum

Install the bass drum pedal to the bass drum using the provided hardware. Make sure the pedal is tight and doesn't wobble. The pedal response should feel consistent — no dead spots, no excessive resistance.

Step 3: Mount Toms and Hardware

Install tom holders and cymbal stands. Toms typically mount to the bass drum using brackets. Make sure everything is tight — nothing should rattle.

Step 4: Install Drum Heads

Natal kits usually arrive with heads pre-installed, but you may need to tension them. Use the provided drum key to tighten tension rods evenly. Start with all tension rods finger-tight, then tighten in a star pattern (opposite rods, alternating) one quarter-turn at a time.

Step 5: Play and Listen

Sit behind your kit and play gently. The drums should respond to your touch without excessive effort. Bass drum should feel responsive. Snare should crack clearly. If drums sound overly muffled or boomy, you may need to tighten the drum heads slightly.

Common First-Timer Mistakes with Natal Kits

New Natal kit owners make predictable errors. Understanding these prevents frustration.

• Over-tensioning heads: Beginners often crank tension rods too tight, making drums sound squeaky and strained. Start conservatively and tighten gradually whilst listening. When the drum sounds full and open, stop tightening.
• Assuming cymbals are finished: Natal's entry-level cymbals are unfinished (raw brass colour). Many beginners think they're damaged or dirty. They're not — this is the intended finish. Unfinished cymbals actually sound warmer than highly polished ones.
• Ignoring tuning:** Natal drums sound better when you understand tuning basics. Each tension rod affects pitch — tightening raises pitch, loosening lowers it. Spend time experimenting with tuning to hear how the drum responds.
• Poor cymbal positioning: Cymbals should sit at comfortable arm height with slight angles — not perpendicular to your body. Poor positioning forces awkward strikes that sound sloppy.
• Not checking lugs and tension rod holes: Before tightening, visually inspect that all tension rods are inserted straight and no lugs are cracked. Forcing a bent or misaligned tension rod can damage the drum shell.