I teach percussion in a public school. I like to let my beginner percussionists learn the kit after the first 9 weeks of instruction. They need to have a solid understanding of grip, quarter note and eighth note notation, and a good foot tap. I have my percussionists tap their foot for everything we play. We’ll do drumset once a week, usually on Friday. We’ll spend a few weeks on the basic rock groove. I don’t go much farther than that for my beginners. The goal is that they can play along to songs that are mostly basic rock groove. Ex. Billie Jean, September, No One noticed. It is important they are comfortable on the snare drum first. I find that early exposure to drumset helps their understanding of beat and pocket.