So, you have a drum kit. You are excited to be underway. Maybe you’ve been playing awhile and have the basics or better under your belt.

Over time, your body and your ears grow attuned to the little things: the placement of the snare, the brand of sticks you use, the boominess of your toms and how to dampen them.

Let’s address some of the most commonly asked questions new drummers have early in their careers.

Drum Clinic: 20 Q&As for New Drummers and Percussionists

1. What’s the best size drum kit for a beginner?

A standard five-piece set is the best bet for beginners. This is comprised of: toms, bass, snare, cymbals, and the hi-hat.

So, what the beginner starts with are three toms, the snare, what is called a ride or crash cymbal, the bass or kick-drum, and the sandwich of two cymbals, called a hi-hat. That’s is all you need to get underway.

2. What’s the proper way to set up my kit?

There is no one way. Chances are you see set-ups all the time in stores, online, and at concerts. Kick in the center, snare and hi-hat to the left, and so on.

How you set them up more precisely is a function of things like comfort and arm-length, style, and so on. Experiment. How to set them up optimally will find you as you seek it out.

3. What kind of drum sticks should I use?

Drumsticks can be made of maple, white oak, hickory, and other solid woods. Tips may be wood, too, or the sticks may have nylon caps.

There are various shapes, too, and thickness of the wood and their tips. Then, sticks have varnish or lacquer. These variables can affect grip, tone, impact and volume depending upon how strong your strike tends to be…

There are a lot of variables at play. Your best bet is to go to a store, try out a few brands that feature various woods, tips, and dimensions. That will help you find what is most suited to your style.

That said, is there a drummer out there who does not have multiple set of sticks to achieve different sounds? Nope, and so, it is likely you will build over time a bag of sticks as your bag of tricks.

4. How can I make my snare drum less “ringy?”

There are add-on accessories for controlling “ringy” snares. Pearl offer the OM-1 Tone Control that clips onto the hoop. It has an adjustable pad to reduce or eliminate ring.

There are many donut-shaped mufflers on the market: Rem-Os by Remo, Noble & Cooley Zer-O-Rings, and Evans E-Rings are among them. Some drumheads have built-in muffling: Pinstripes by Remo, Performance II by Acquarian, and Genera Dry by Evans are common solutions.

5. How can I get the snares to stop rattling when I hit my bass drum or toms?

You will have to walk the fine line when muffling. Excessive muffling makes the kick sound dead. Tuning your snare drum up and down can minimize the vibration caused by the other drums.

Try playing with the tuning of the tension rods on the side of the snare side and toms adjacent to the snare, and you will often find this reduces the rattling.

Next step? It may be where you are playing. If space permits, move into to a larger room. Or, place rugs on the floor and drape any furniture and even the walls with light blankets.

6. How often should I replace the snares on my snare drum?

The life of a snare and the heads on your drums are a function of playing style. When you see a head appears damaged with a lot of divots from the tips of your sticks, or appear stretched, it is time to change them out.

Heads can last for years or a matter of minutes, if you thrash them hard enough. Also, even though the bottom heads are not being struck, they can stretch and need to be replaced periodically. Generally, when your drums start to sound dead, muffled, or bottomed out, change them.

7. What is a bearing edge?

The part of the shell that the drumhead touches is called the bearing edge. Many sets feature a 45-degree angled edge on their inner diameter and a 45-degree back cut on the second ply.

That means they’re designed to hold fast while you are primarily striking in a relatively focused point of contact in the center. If you can keep your drumming in that “strike zone,” you will sustain a great balance while playing between resonance and attack.

8. Should I get a thin or thick shell?

The beating heart of a drum is its shell. How many plies are layered affects how energy gets transferred from the head to the shell. This is the most central design characteristic that determines your drums’ tonal character and projection.

Thin shells (4 ply, 5mm) make for easy energy-transfer from the head to the shell. Shells vibrate more easily and this yields a rich, woody tone. Thin shells are preferred especially when recording.

Medium shells (6 ply, 7.5mm) provide greater stiffness, but they resist the transference of energy. It is a trade-off: you get slightly “cooler” sound than the thin shells but your projection is stronger.

Medium shells are a great, general-purpose choice for practicing and playing gigs in small to medium venues.

Thick shells (8 ply, 10mm and 10 ply, 12.5mm) are the most efficient in broadcasting the drummer’s sound to an audience. This is ideal for large venues and even coliseums or outdoors.

9. How should I store my drums?

If you are putting a snare in storage for a long period of time (e.g., weeks and months), back off the tension of the heads. Snares stay in the on position but loosen them a bit. Their wires will stretch, so you do not want them at high tension while in storage.

10. Do extreme temperatures affect my drums?

Extreme shifts in the temperature in a short period of time may pose problems to the drum shells. Finishes may also be affected. If humidity or temperature change, moisture changes the cells in the wood.

The shells then expand or contract; they may even warp and crack. Drum manufacturers generally agree that your drums are safe when stored in a room temperature environment, give or take a few degrees.

But if you’re not comfortable in staying in the storage area for a while, your drums won’t either!

11. What’s the difference between maple and birch?

Maple shells are characterized by sustains that are long and slow. This gives them a warm, resonant tone. Adding reinforcing hoops to maple gives them strength and more sound definition.

Birchwood often embody opposite tonal properties in contrast to maple. Birch features shorter, faster sustain. This yields a higher pitch and attack in the sound. Installing reinforcing rings on birch would be overkill.

12. How do I adjust my pedal?

There are a variety of pedal designs and that impacts your choices and how much you can change a pedal. Most pedals use either a chain, a belt, or a direct drive that attach the footboard to the cam and beater.

Some manufacturers sell different chains that fit their pedals, and you swap them out to get different levels of stiffness and rebound. Generally, to adjust a pedal, you first change the height of the beater to address the power you get with your foot.

Once you’ve played with that, you move into the tension settings. Ball park the spring tension. Attach the pedal to the bass drum. Set the spring to any setting. Put your foot on the pedal as you normally would when you play, whether that is heel up or down. Completely relax.

If the beater presses into the bass drum head, spring tension is too loose. Or, if the pedal doesn’t yield to your foot and it feels like an exercise machine, your spring is too tight. Most find 4” of the beater from the head with your body in a relaxed state is best. Adjust spring tension as necessary to get to about 4”.

Lastly, fine-tune the beater height once more. You’ll find that having played with the tension has affected the height you want.

13. How do I adjust my hi-hat?

Look down at the pedal and then start looking up the pole. You should find a drum key. This should enable you to play with the tension in the pedal—which basically affects the chain that rises from the pedal inside the pole to the hi-hat.

This is also called adjusting the tension spring. The tighter the tension on the spring, the more responsive the stand becomes. The lower the tension, the less responsive.

14. What should I use to clean my drum shells?

Most any high-quality, non-abrasive furniture wax will work on lacquered and covered finishes. “Trick Cleaner” wipes are product that’s easy to use, too.

• Prep

While not necessary, it’s recommended you remove hardware from your shells. It makes cleaning faster and more thorough. Removing the hardware reduces risks of scratching the finish from all the grit that accumulates around hardware. Use a “Swiffer” type duster on the shells.

• Polishing

Using a soft clean cloth (microfiber is ideal), apply the polish or wax, then carefully wipe it off. Turn the cloth frequently. Do NOT use paper towels; these are abrasive.

Polish the hardware before reattaching it. Prevent making new nicks in wood bass drum hoops by positioning the claws in the same place where they had been removed.

• Crystal Beat

Acrylics may be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth. Acrylic drum collectors say to stay away from glass cleaners (i.e., “Windex”). These do not lubricate when they clean.

Dirt and dust trapped in between the cloth and surface may leave very fine scratches that will diminish a transparent shell’s clarity over time.

So, products like Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze or Novus Plastic Clean & Shine are recommended, so you can do scratch-free cleaning of acrylics.

15. How do I clean my hardware?

To clean the lugs, stands, and counter-hoops, most any household appliance cleaner works fine. Avoid product containing ammonia.

16. Can I change my single pedal to a double?

You may be able to upgrade to a double pedal. But the final answer depends on your current pedal. One way to upgrade is to buy the manufacturer’s kit—most offer them. These retrofit to the current peddle and connect to universal rod. Your existing pedal then becomes the slave pedal of the upgraded double unit. Consult at a store or with the manufacturer first.

17. How Do I Tune My Drums?

There are a series of important steps you need to follow when tuning your drums. For some of these steps, you may want to use a drum key to help get your drums into the perfect pitch.

Start by turning your tension rods in order to remove the wrinkles from the head. Do this in a diagonal pattern, ½ turn at a time until all the wrinkles are gone.

Next, place your palm on the middle of your drum head and press firmly. This will help to seat the head. Then, retighten the drum head and seat it again. Test out the sound of your drum.

If the pitch has remained the same then you can move on to the next step. Set your drum on a well-cleaned surface with the side you intend to tune face up.

Use the drum key to tap the drum at each tension rod and take note on which rods sound high and which sound low. Loosen the rods 1/8th turn at a time for the rods that sound high, and tighten the rods 1/8th turn at a time for those that sound too low.

Seat the head again and continue this process until the entirety of the drum head is the same pitch, then tighten or loosen the rods to set the entire drum to the pitch you want it.

18. How Do I Get My Drum Heads To Stay In Tune?

Any instrument is going to fall out of tune from time to time, but there are a number of things you can do to help limit how often or how badly this happens. Some circumstances can have more of an effect on the tuning of your instrument than others.

One of the most important things you can do is check the tuning of your drums regularly. Before each use, or at least before playing for many other people it’s a good idea to make sure the drums are sounding decent. If not, make any small adjustments you may need in order to get it back into tune.

The more often you check the tuning, the less effort you’ll have to put into tuning the drum heads at a given time. It’s also important to keep in mind that the environment can greatly affect your drums.

Make sure to keep them away from any drastic temperature or humidity changes, because they can have a large effect in the wood of your drums and cause them to fall out of tune.

You can generally expect that any temperature you are comfortable in, they will be as well. If you travel with your drums or store them anywhere, it’s a good idea to use cases or soft bags to help protect them.

19. How Often Should I Change My Drum Heads?

This can greatly depend on the kind of drum and drum head you are using, so there is really no one-size-fits-all answer. Some drum heads need to be replaced as little as every two or three months and others can last a year or more.

Because of that, it’s always a great idea to know exactly where in that range your specific drum heads fall into

You can usually find that information out while purchasing the drum heads or through the brand website. If you over-use your drums they can risk falling greatly out of tune or breaking entirely, so it’s good to make sure you replace them before it gets that far.

Generally speaking, many people wait until they notice certain types of wearing on their drum heads before changing them. The longer you have your drums, the easier it will be to tell when it’s a good time to replace them.

Some things to look for can be noticeable dents, the coating on the drum head being very worn down, or extensive marking from use. It’s also wise to keep in mind that the more you use your drums, the more often they may need to be replaced.

20. How Can I Make My Drum Heads Less “Boomy”?

There are a multitude of ways you can muffle your drums, and they range from free if you have the materials around to mildly costly if you’re looking to purchase or replace special drum heads. It all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.

The least expensive option would be to place a blanket or pillow inside the bass drum. This will help to muffle the sound and is completely free if you have a pillow or blanket around that you don’t need to use often.

There are also a few different kinds of items you can purchase specifically made for muffling your drums. The first are special pads and rings that you can use with your drums.

One example of this would be the Evans EQ Pad, which is available to put in your drum to muffle it. You also have the option of purchasing drum heads that have built-in muffling or muffling rings.

These can be a little more expensive, but are made specifically to muffle your drum and can sometimes be the better choice for professional settings. It all depends on what you feel works best and fits easily within your budget.

How To Set Up A Snare Drum

A drum set is never complete without a snare drum. This musical tool, although often on the sidelines, has such a vital role to play in making great sounds or music. But what does a snare drum do exactly?

What are its components? Is it difficult to learn how to set up a snare drum? If you are new to the world of drums, then here is a basic guide on the snare drum.

What Is a Snare Drum?

A snare drum, also popularly known as a side drum, produces sharp staccato sound when it is hit with a drumstick or mallet.

It is part of the drum kit of drumlines, marching bands, concert and rock bands, and parades.

It consists of two drum heads which are made from either animal hides or plastic.

It is the smallest drum of any drum set. As mentioned, one only needs a drumstick or a mallet to play the snare drum.

A snare drum is often placed on an adjustable stand. This allows the musician to adjust the angle of the drum as well as its height.

The Snare Drum’s Components

The drums, including the snare, have different parts.

• Snare Wires

It is called a snare drum because it has somewhere between eight to 18 snares made of plastic, nylon, sill, and metal that are extended across the drum’s head.

These snares are the ones responsible for creating terse sounds.

• Shell

Contrary to popular belief, the shell is more than just an enclosure as it greatly affects the sounds. Shells are usually made of mixed or single wood species such as mahogany, birch, maple, ash, and poplar.

A snare drum’s shell material can also be from metals like bronze steel, brass, and aluminum.

The kind of material used for the shell also affects the sounds produced by the instrument.

• Hoops or Rims

Most snare drums these days have triple-flange metal hoops or die-cast. The former allows the drummer to ring longer thus producing more overtones and get better snare sensitivity.

On the other hand, the die-cast hoops offer a sturdier feel, particularly for loud rimshots. They also normally make the drum produce fewer overtones.

There are also snare drums on the market that use wooden hoops, which tend to warm-up the sounds. Wooden hoops also change the spectrum of the overtones.

• Tension Rods and Lugs

A snare drum either has a tension rod or lugs, and the design of the tensioning system greatly affects the sound the drum produces. Most snare drums on the market use the lug design.

These designs are either tube lugs or split lugs. The former means there is less contact of the metal with the shell, which improves the sustain and gives a slightly different sound.

Split lugs, on the other hand, have more contact with the drum’s shells.

• Heads

There are many options when it comes to the head. There are single- and double-ply coated batter heads and pre-muffled models.

• Snare Beds

The snares would be uncontrollable and buzzy if there are no snare beds as it is a crucial yet subtle part of the drum.

It is the part of the drum that allows the snare wires to lie flat against the drum head.

What Should You Look for In a Snare Drum Stand?

Before learning how to set up a snare drum, one must first choose the best stand possible for the instrument.

Failure to procure a good stand may cause difficulties in playing the drum really well.

There are different designs to choose from when purchasing a snare drum set stand.

There is the basket-style, classic three-leg style, and L-Styles. In choosing a snare drum stand, one has to keep in mind the positioning of the player.

After all, it would be hard to play in one gig to another if the musician is in an uncomfortable position for most times.

• Adjustable Basket

The first thing to look for is a stand with an adjustable basket or a basket that can easily be resized using a single wingnut to fit a variety of snare drums.

Most snare drum stands on the market have this feature. However, some products are easier to adjust compared to others.

• Universal Basket Tilter

It is also essential to find a stand that has the universal and gearless basket tilter. Having this feature allows the player to fine-tune the exact position of the snare drum easily for ease of hitting.

Most mid- to professional-grade snare drum stands have the gearless friction tilters these days.

• Adjustable Dimensions

Finding a stand that has the width and height adjustment is also beneficial.

Keep in mind that the stand has to be able to go low enough for those with a deep snare or high enough for those with a piccolo.

For those who often play in cramped spaces, it is best to have a snare drum stand with adjustable width.

How To Quickly Set Up A Snare Drum

Setting up a snare drum and attaching it to a stand are easy. It is advisable first to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the stand to ensure a fast set-up.

The first step in setting-up a snare drum is to remove the drum from its case. Once done, set-up the stand. Make sure that the stand is stable on the floor while the snare drum’s basket is parallel to the floor.

Slowly place the snare drum to the stand. The snares must be on the bottom while the release lever is facing in front of you.

Gently adjust the drum’s basket to ensure that it is fitted well and not moving.

Look for the drum’s height adjustment so that the snare’s top rim is slightly below the waistline.

Use the angle adjuster to tilt the drum a little bit towards you. Now, grab the two drumsticks and stand straight in front of the drum.

Your forearms should be almost parallel to the floor as you bend your arms at the elbows.

The upper arms must be close to your sides but never touching it. If this is not the case, then proceed to adjust the drum again using the angle adjuster.

No Rocket Science Required

Understanding what a snare drum is and how to set it up is not rocket science. The comfort and position of the player are the things to keep in mind when choosing a snare drum stand as well as in setting it up.

A Beginner’s Guide to Drum Brushes

Musicians invest heavily in their instrument, which they use almost every day. But it is not enough to have a reliable instrument as musicians also require other tools.

For example, drummers have not only their drums but also their drumsticks, which they handpicked themselves.

Aside from the drumstick, drummers also require their brushes, to the surprise of many. But what are drum brushes used for? Why do drummers and other musicians take the time to find the perfect one? How does a drummer look for the best brush?

What Are Drum Brushes Used for?

Drum brushes are common in jazz, which is why even the musically inclined individuals find it odd that drummers have their brushes.

Arguably, the use of drum brushes is relatively new as brushes were mostly used for jazz music and dance band.

However, times have changed, and these days, using drum brushes, such as those from Vic Firth, are now gaining popularity.

Drummers now use these brushes to produce varied, softer yet exciting tones and effects such as swooshing sounds, which drumsticks cannot deliver. Brushes are also used for drum playing that requires softer or lower volumes.

Different Kinds of Brushes

It is not enough to know what are drum brushes used for. Those who seriously want to incorporate different and rich sounds in their music making should also understand the different brushes and how each vary.

One has to check the bristle material, handle material and retractability to differentiate drum brushes.

Metal Wires

The most common drum brushes are metal wires. They create snappy and bright sound when they hit the drums. They also present crisp swishing sounds when swept across the drumhead.

These metal wire brushes also vary. For example, one brand manufactures this kind of product with a twist as it has a slightly bent tip that allows for the creation of a fuller and smoother swish sound.

The slightly angled tip also reduces the chances of the tip getting caught on the drumhead. Another metal brush has small beads on the tip of the wires for snappy sound on cymbals and drums.

Plastic or Nylon Wires

Some brushes are made of either nylon or plastic wires, which can create duller and warmer sounds that are more subdued than the metal wires.

These plastic brushes tend to bend more when swept across the drumhead. They do not, however, remain bent for a long time as these plastic brushes can easily spring back into its original shape.

Handles

Arguably, the handles do not affect the sound quality of the brushes. They do, however, differ on how the musicians handle the brushes conveniently.

The most commonly used materials for drum brush handles include plastic, rubber, aluminum, and wood. Many people prefer the rubber handles because they are soft to the touch and allows for better gripping of the tool.

Other materials basically allow for the free movement of the brush on the hands, which also accounts for the ease of use.

Given that handles do not affect sound quality, then its best to choose a brush with a handle material that offers the most comfortable grip for the user.

Fixed or Retractable Drum Brushes

Drum brushes also come in retractable or fixed designs.

The retractable brushes usually have a metal rod at the back of the stick that easily pulls back the wires inside the handle case. The ease of storing the brush is one of the significant advantages of this kind of brush.

Plus, retractable ones also lets musicians change how far out the bristles or wire for a more varied playing sounds and style. However, retractable brushes have a downside as the moving parts can result in damages such as jamming of the wires.

On the other hand, fixed brushes last a bit longer than retractable ones. Unfortunately, storing the fixed brushes can be quite tricky as one needs to be diligent, so the wires do not end up bent.

Try Until You Find the Perfect One

Drummers who wish to find the best drum brushes may need to try out several products to find the ones that work best for them. After all, drummers have varied playing styles as well as preference, which means there is no formula or rules to follow when buying the brush.

Those in the process of finding their preferred brushes may end up confused given the many choices available on the market these days. Below are four of the best drum brushes that are easily available.

Regal Tip Yellow Jacket Wire Brush

The Regal Tip Yellow Jacket top grade coated steel wire, same working mechanism as the classic Regal Tip, and a rubberized plastic handle. Distinctive.

From Regal: “Regal Tip is a family operation that has set the global standard for hand-crafted brushes and drumsticks for over 50 years.”

Vic Firth Heritage Brush

Vic Firth Heritage Brush – Rubber Handle

The Vic Firth Heritage Brush has a smooth rubber handle for a more comfortable grip. The item also boasts of retractable wires that can easily be adjusted to give drummers a spread as much as six inches wide.

The spread is fuller than many brushes on the market and provides musicians more tone colors to play with. This product promises durability since the wire is a heavy gauge one that won’t easily break or bend.

Promark B600 Nylo-Brush

Promark B600 Nylo-Brush Nylon-Bristle Retractable Brushes

The Promark B600 Nylo-Brush as its name suggests is made from nylon. It promises to be as durable and sharp as metal brittles. The nylon also will not scratch the drumheads.

This brush provides a sweeter and softer sound than what metal wires can provide.

Zildjian Professional Wire Brush

Zildjian Professional Retractable Wire Brush

The Zildjian Professional Wire Brush boasts of being narrower than most brushes with its 0.55-inch diameter to create delicate and softer brush sounds. It has a plastic handle that has a flattened shape, which makes it easier to play for long hours for many drummers.

Drum Brushes for Sweeter Music

Drummers and new percussionists need brushes unlike before when they only need their drumsticks. After all, drum brushes provide soft and textured tones that drumsticks cannot offer.

Finding the best drum brush may take time as these brushes come in various designs and materials. There is no formula in finding the perfect brush, and one may need to buy several items first to determine which one works best for their style and groove.

How Do You Mic a Drum Set?

A great live music listening experience starts with a proper set-up, from guitars and its myriad amps to the complicated drum kit and its different mics.

This is why it is important for sound engineers, drummers and roadies to know how to mic a drum set and how to set up the entire soundstage for the audience.

Stage sound and lighting, as well as the proper positioning of instruments and everything else on the stage including the band members, get together in providing the best sound that audiences pay for.

This is why you would notice that the quality of sound gets better as your favorite band becomes more popular, and they start to hire sound engineers and roadies that can take care of these things for them.

Of course, some bands are just great, to begin with, everything and everybody else just adds to their awesomeness.

Setting Up the Stage

The basic stage for a live band doesn’t need to have amps and speakers that go from floor to ceiling, nor does the band need to have racks of spare, well-tuned guitars and stock drum sets.

Here are the basic requirements for a live sound stage:

• Two sets of speakers and speaker stands
• Monitor speaker
• Powered Mixer
• Power Amplifiers
• Speaker Cables
• Microphones with Stands
• Instruments
• Cables

Before you attempt to set-up a live sound stage, you may need to read up on how the different parts of the sound system relate with each other.

In principle, speakers should be placed on the side and raised from the stage so that the sound it generates can efficiently disperse over a crowd, no matter the size.

Microphones are then placed towards the center and away from the speakers as this spells a recipe for feedback disaster.

Some other items are used to avoid placing any objects that can block or feed audio signals back to the speakers, which is why you would notice that the band is playing further back than the speakers in a concert.

Towards the back of the soundstage is where you should place the powered mixer as it makes it easier to monitor and adjust the sounds as needed.

Photo by Manu M. on Unsplash

Monitor speakers are then placed right on the stage with the speaker side facing inward and facing the band. A sound stage may have one monitor speaker per band member, depending on the current need.

Amplifiers are placed close to the monitors, and the rest of the speaker system is cabled towards the mixer, acting as the central hub for manipulating the audio signals that are to be blasted towards the waiting audience.

Guitars and other instruments that can be carried are, of course, carried by the player and wired towards the amplifiers and the speakers.

The keyboards and drum kits are often placed on the sidelines or in the background where they can’t get in the way of the other members of the band.

How to Mic a Drum Set Step-By-Step

This does not mean that keyboards and drum sets do not have an important role in a band, especially in a rock band.

This purposeful separation of the percussions and the strings allow listeners to distinguish the audio signals from each instrument set.

While most instruments are wired directly to their amplifiers and speakers, a drum set requires that you, your roadie or sound engineer should know how to mic a drum set. But how do you do it?

1. Set Everything Up

Before you place microphones on a drum set, you would need to set up everything correctly. Make sure to lay the pedals on the right angles and position the snares, toms, and cymbals to where the drummer can reach them.

Lastly, check the height and measurement of the drums, in relation to the drummer’s anthropomorphic features.

Be sure to check out our Drum Mic Kits Guide here!

2. Bring the Mics Out

At a minimum, you would need about six-eight pieces of microphones, including clips and mic stands, as well as cables, of course.

Whether recording at home or for live performance, microphones for drum kits vary in size and models, with specialized microphones for the kicks and the toms. Overhead booms may be needed as well to capture larger cymbals.

3. Clamp the Mics Down

There are a few ways to maximize the positioning of microphones to capture the best beats from a drum set. Different microphone models can be used for the same drum kit to get a fuller sound while doing proper positioning, ensuring that everything is captured.

Here is how you can position microphones for your drum set.

• Kick Drum

The biggest piece in a drum set has a deep, low sound that can’t always be heard unless properly mic’d. Most setups would involve placing one mic in front of the bass head while placing one up front and another inside the drum can produce greater results.

• Snares

Microphones for snares are usually placed slightly over the snare surface, although some would place another mic underneath to get a fuller sound. Ideally, snare microphones can be placed an inch or two above the skin of the snare drum.

• Toms

Typically, there is a corresponding microphone for each tom on a drum kit, usually, placed a little over the surface of the tom. Tom microphones are smaller than the usual microphone size and are placed on the edges of the toms.

• Cymbals

Hi-hats are usually the ones that need microphones among the myriad cymbals in a drum set. The microphones can be placed above the hi-hat, about 3-4 inches.

• Overhead

Overhead microphones provide a clearer sound and act like boom microphones situated over the drum set. These microphones capture the sound coming from the entire drum kit, especially the larger cymbals.

Setting up a sound stage is but the beginning of a musical journey and knowing where to place the different components of the soundstage contributes to the overall listening experience.

However, for musicians and sound engineers, this is just the start as they also need to know how to clean everything up and ensure that the instruments and the soundstage are stored properly.

How to Sit on a Drum Throne Without Falling Off

Sitting on a drum throne means sitting with the right posture, as taught in school as they say.

Some would assume that the right sitting posture would mean sitting up with your back straight, arms on your laps and knees together.

But you can’t drum this way though. Here is how you should sit on a drum throne properly:

Step 1: Make sure that the seat has enough height so that your thighs are slightly on a slanted position coming up from the knees.

Step 2: The legs should be spread apart, usually perpendicular to each other, with the hips as the intersection.

Step 3: The thigh part going down the ankles should be angled at about 90 degrees as well, with variations owing to the skeletal and muscular composition.

Step 4: Keep your back straight as much as possible. This can be achieved by positioning the different drum components within an arm’s reach, drumstick included.

Is Drumming Passive?

Drummers, in general, are often regarded the most overlooked members of any band because they are usually relegated to the background and can, as some perceive, only make noise while the others play.

However, playing the drums is no easy task as you have to know how to sit on a drum throne without falling over after every drum roll or wipeout.

Some people think that drum sets are just part of the background where the drummer sits on a chair and creates a lot of noise that somehow blends in with the rest of the instruments; a few don’t even see the drums at all.

For the majority of the people who know their music, drum sets the overall mood of the song the band is playing, especially if every beat synchronizes well with the bass while the rest of the instruments try to catch up.

Then, of course, there are the expansive drum solos that let drummers take the center stage while the rest watch in awe, or change their instruments and rest their puny hands, whatever. But what exactly is the role of the drum set in music?

Why Do We Need Drums?

Music without drums, without percussion, is mostly like the compositions of old where the violin reigns and cello soothes the soul. The world of music would be monotonous without the sonorous voice of the bass and the loud claps of the cymbals.

It can be postulated by looking at the tools that were used during the past eras that drums and percussions were the first instruments that mankind discovered. Of course, all you needed back then was a large leg bone and a hollow shell.

The role of drums in music is substantial in every music genre you can think of. It dictates the drop of the bass in hip-hop and sets the beat for dance music.

In other words it’s integral in the general composition of rock and metal songs, as well as pop and jazz.

It can be quite hard to imagine music without drums or percussions, although it is doable however boring the result may be. In any case, it is the drummer that does all these, and the drum sets are but his medium of expression.

Aside from a well-tuned drum set, a drummer also needs to know how to sit on a drum throne properly. But what is a drum throne?

Drum Thrones Explained

It sounds regal because of the word “throne” but technically, a drum throne is an upholstered stool that drummers can sit on while they play the drums.

It can be defined as simple as that, but the role that it plays while the drummer sits on it has a lot of impact with the quality of sound that will be produced.

Drum thrones aim to provide a comfortable seat to a drummer who will be spending more than a few minutes sitting down while hitting all the percussive instruments that surround him.

This furniture, ideally, should be able to provide stability while the drummer sits on it.

Things to Look for In a Drum Throne

A drum throne may look like an ordinary stool, but there are some few things that you can look at to determine if a throne is rightfully yours or not.

• Comfort

DO NOT pick a throne made from the swords of your fallen enemies. Pick one that is soft and comfortable as this would help you sit longer in the chair. Ideally, the foam should be made of a material that does not clump together when moist, like cotton and fiber fillers.

• Durable

Drum thrones can and will undergo a lot of stress coming from sudden movements and long-term use, so the best drum throne should be made of sturdy materials that offer stability as well.

• Add-ons

Not all drum thrones are the same as some will be your basic stool while others would offer a swiveling base or a pocket for your drumsticks and whatnots.

Setting Up

Positioning is key to a perfect drumming experience; all you need to do is find the sweet spot, and lock on it. Sitting in the right position in the right way is an important factor to consider when setting up a drum throne.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set-up your drum throne:

Step 1: Position your legs by sitting on the throne alone and forming a V-shape to cover the bass with your dominant foot and the hi-hats with your lesser foot.

Step 2: The distance between the throne and the bass should be wide enough not to feel cramped, especially when you do a lot of jumping while playing. Make sure that your ankles are ahead of the knees.

Step 3: Adjust the drum throne height so that you maintain the proper posture while seated on the throne. Generally, your thighs should be higher than your knees.

Step 4: Most modern drum throne models come with easy-adjust options while older models can be adjusted using a wrench or a pair of pliers.

Final Thoughts

Drumming is more than just banging a drum set while the rest of the band try their best to make sense of the noise the whole group is generating.

It takes skill and talent to muster your energy into something with tone and class which can guide the rest of the band into creating a cohesive composition.

Sitting properly on a drum throne is a sure way to level up your skills and get your talents in check.

Knowing how to set up your drum throne, determining the ideal height and learning how to sit on it are also some of the things you need to learn aside from learning to bang stuff with a stick, of course.

Between electric musical instruments and acoustic ones, there has always been a heated debate between which is better. There are good arguments for each.

Acoustic instruments are often associated with classical, intellectual and elite while electronic instruments are often related to new age, young and the likes. This applies to electronic drum set vs acoustic too.

Let’s dive into this subject and figure which one of them is a better choice for you.

Electronic Drum Set vs Acoustic: What Are The Basic Differences?

Before you decide which type of drum set to buy, you must first understand what you are getting your hands on.

Electric Drums

Electric drum sets basically is a collection of pads that are set in a similar manner to the acoustic drum kit.

The pads are designed to produce a similar sound like the acoustic counterpart and have very little of their own acoustic sound.

This drum kit has to be attached to a speaker, an amplifier, or a pair of headphones in order to be heard.

This is brilliant especially when you are practicing and want to keep the sound level to a minimum.

Alesis Nitro Kit | Electronic Drum Set with 8″ Snare, 8″ Toms, and 10″ Cymbals

Electric drum sets have almost burst into the drum kit market and have gained quite a bit of popularity in a very little time. The biggest benefit that comes out of it is the size.

They take up less than half the space a traditional drum set would, and can be easily carried around.

This kind of drum kit is also great when you are in the beginning stages and want just to practice it. Its maintenance is not much of a hassle since you do not have to tune it regularly.

What is more amazing is that you can save the music you played and edit it later on a computer.

However, let us admit the fact that technology advances at a lightning pace, which means that in a couple of years, you might have to buy a whole new set.

Also, playing electric drum sets for a number of years may give you a hard time when trying to learn an acoustic drum set. They may sound incredibly close, but the feel is very different.

Additionally, electronic drum sets don’t require previous knowledge of the instrument and put you at a disadvantage when you want to learn to play an acoustic drum set.

Acoustic Drums

Acoustic drum sets consist of cymbals and drums that are all designed to be played with as a single instrument.

A standard acoustic drum set is composed of a snare drum, bass drum, hi-hat cymbals, set of tom-toms, crash cymbals, and a ride cymbal.

By striking the cymbals and drums with a drumstick or mallet, it produces the sound.

Playing the acoustic drum set is almost a prerequisite for playing music genres like rock, jazz, funk, blues, and the likes. So, this is advantageous if you are an aspiring musician.

Also, for live concerts that require a ton of energy and high volume, the acoustic drum set is a perfect choice.

Ludwig Junior Drum Kit

Acoustic drum sets allow the drummer to play the instrument with great touch and feel, the finest tactile feedback to your senses is still an elusive commodity on an electric drum set.

Additionally, learning an acoustic drum set is a skill, which requires a lot of hard work.

Unfortunately, the most obvious downside of an acoustic drum set is that it occupies a significant amount of space.

You cannot also practice when you feel like as there is no option of putting on headphones, and playing the drums will make a lot of noise.

Another concern with acoustic drums is that you might need a professional to constantly tune it.

Further, a decent sounding acoustic drum set, especially the cymbals, can cost you a significant amount of money.

Electronic Drum Set vs Acoustic: Our Recommendations

• For Beginners

If you are a beginner, it is best to opt for the electric kit. For starters, these are cheaper and take up little space.

It has an option for headphone attachments which means you can practice whenever you would like without driving anyone in your family nuts.

Features like recording, looping, light up pads and so on can help you learn to play it faster.

• For Professionals

If you are already accustomed to using an acoustic drum set for a long time, then, adding or moving on to an electric drum set is a terrible choice.

As a professional drum player, you are likely to be playing in a particular music genre like jazz, metal or rock.

These kinds of genres are best played with an acoustic drum set, and even if you are a beginner planning to play such genres, it is always better to get the hang of an acoustic one.

• For Customization and Flexibility

Acoustic drum sets allow you to customize it quite a bit. You can buy and add extra snare, different cymbals and even change the configuration.

The downside to this is you are adding more gear to the existing lineup and, thus, have to carry around more if you perform constantly.

With an electronic drum set, what you buy is what you have. However, it is quite flexible too, so you can change the snare with just a few buttons and even change the genre.

• For the Playing Experience

Ultimately, nothing beats the experience of sitting behind an acoustic drum set and hitting it. Plus, it looks the best when you perform live. Basic electric drum sets definitely won’t provide you with the same experience.

However, extremely high-end electric sets offer a similar response to that of an acoustic drum set.

Conclusion: Which One Is Right For You, Electronic Or Acoustic Drums?

Between electronic drum sets vs acoustic, each of them has come a long way. So, the best question that you need to ask is that “Is an electric drum set a replacement for an acoustic one?”

Definitely not, and manufacturers do not say otherwise. In fact, they do not market an electric drum set as a replacement for an acoustic one.

Each type of drum set has its own entities. So, choosing one amongst the two entirely depends on your skill, interest, and lifestyle.

All we can say is know exactly what your plan is, and then accordingly decide which one suits your needs the best.

How to Replace Drum Heads

Much like cleaning a drum kit, the task of replacing drum heads with new ones is a little difficult at first, and it may take time before you can consider yourself proficient enough to do it unaided.

Nevertheless, the steps on how to replace drum heads are as follows:

Step 1: Buy new drum heads.

Of course, the first step is to purchase new drum skins to replace your old ones. It would be advisable to replace everything all at once if you can but consider your budget and consider how much flexibility is left with each piece of drum you have.

Step 2: Loosen the rods.

With the use of a tuning peg, loosen the threaded drum rods and remove them, as well as any washers, claws and anything else attached to the existing drum head.

Step 3: Remove the hoop.

Gently remove the hoop from the drum and lift the old drum head once you have removed everything using the tuning peg.

Step 4: Put on the new skin.

Get your new drum head ready and center it on the drum shell before placing the hoop back on top of it.

Step 5: Wax on, wax off.

Apply some oil or paraffin wax on the parts that you have removed to protect them from rust and to make them easier to adjust.

Step 6: Put everything back together.

Replace the pegs and other attachments to their respective places, and slightly tighten the rods using the tuning peg.

Step 7: Push it down.

With the palm of your hand, push the skin down until you hear some cracking or popping, which is normal. Do this for about five times. This will signify that the skin is set and ready to be tuned. Tighten the rods again, and this time tighten it fully.

How to Tune A Drum Set

Once you are done replacing the drum heads of your drums, it is now time to tune it.

The process is not that challenging, but you have to know what kind of tone or sound you are looking for to ascertain that you have the right tone.

Most drummers would start off by practicing with other drum kits until they get it right.

Newer drummers would use media sites to compare the tuning of their drums with. Videos and tutorials are available as to how you can perfectly tune your drums.

Here are the basics of drum tuning:

Step 1: Tighten the rods.

With the use of a tuning peg, tighten one rod and then move on to the next peg by crossing the surface diagonally.

Do the same step with each peg until you have completely gone around the drum and tightened each peg.

Step 2: Test the tone.

With your hands, tap the drums and test if the tone suits your liking. Use another drum kit or other sources to compare the tones.

Step 3: Tap around.

Give the drum a tap around the hoop to test its sound. This would also test how tight the rods are; adjust them as needed.

Step 4: Repeat as needed.

Repeat the previous steps with every drum that you need to replace the drum head with. Keep in mind these steps can also be used when de-tuning and re-tuning your drums.

How Drum Heads Evolved

The characteristic sound that drums produce comes from striking a membrane with drumsticks or your hands.

Traditionally, drum heads are made from the hides of animals that have been hunted down, with their meats eaten for food and their bones made into tools and what not.

Animal hides didn’t just serve as clothing before, but it also served as an implement for music making.

Hides have since become a thing of the past as they have now been replaced by more newer synthetic material that is more resilient and eco-friendlier.

Although there are still some drum kits and traditional folk instruments that have animal hides for drum heads, these are mostly collection pieces and souvenir items.

Kevlar, Aramid, and Mylar are the most common synthetic materials used for making drum sets for today’s modern drummer.

Taking Care of Drum Heads

Drum heads, being part of a drum kit as a whole, should be maintained at a regular basis to prolong its lifespan and continue providing a dependable surface for ages.

The task may seem daunting at first with all the screws and bolts, but like anything, it get’s easier as you repeat the process over and over.

Here are a few to-do things when it comes to taking good care of your kit.

• Wipe down the drums

After each use, wipe down all surfaces of each piece in the kit before moving to the interiors and everything underneath. Yes it’s work, but it will protect your investment.

• De-Tune them for storage

If you are not going to use your drums for a long period, then loosen the tuning bolts to preserve the elasticity of the skin. A skin under tension sitting in storage will become brittle, plus the compression can warp the shell.

• Keep them in the right environment

Keep your drum set away from direct sunlight and other possible sources of heat like radiators, stoves or heaters. Like any instrument, protection from severe conditions and natural elements will help it last.

• Replace the heads

The drum heads need to be replaced on a regular basis, especially when it gives out the telltale signs that it needs to be. Changing the heads can also rejuvenate the tone of your kit too.

When to Replace Drum Heads

Changing the skins or drum heads is really a matter of preference, but a sure sign that you need to replace it is when you feel, or rather hear them producing a less resonating sound as usual.

This means that the flexibility of the material used for the drum head has reached its maturity and will likely keep producing that low-quality sound no matter how many times you tune it.

Professionals who often use their drums would have the heads replaced every month, depending on how much abuse their drums get.

Famous drummers would change the drum heads of their kits before they record new songs so that they sound consistent from recording to recording.

Imagine how many skins Neil Peart of Rush would have to change every time they make a studio album. Whew!

Final Thoughts

Knowing the basics of replacing drum heads, tuning your drums, and general maintenance for your kit will go a long way as you progress as a musician.

Over time, you’ll build up experience for all the above mentioned processes to the point where they become second nature. That same experience will also build confidence and help define your overall abilities.

How to Set Up a Double Bass Pedal: Getting the Most Out of Your Double Kick!

The use of a double bass drum pedal typically adds more power to the sound, produces more consistent output, and allows you to play more patterns that you cannot do when you use a single pedal.

It’s mostly used and heard in hard rock, punk, and heavy metal music although some country styles, Latin, and jazz use it as well.

So, whether you’re a professional drummer, a beginner, or just someone really interested to learn how to play the drums, it is imperative to know how to set up double bass pedals, too.

The double bass pedal works just like a single pedal, and the only difference is that a second plate is connected by a rod to another beater mechanism while working with the primary beater, and it will require the use of both feet.

It allows you to obtain a consistent sound, plus the transport and set up on stage are easier. And when you start playing a double bass pedal, you will want to get faster and better. Let’s find out how!

The Basics of Setting Up a Double Bass Pedal

To attain a higher double-bass speed, you have to set up your pedals and bass drums successfully. Remember, keeping all of the parts well-balanced is the main focus and the ultimate goal.

This means the balance applies to the angle of the footboard, the placement of the beaters, and the spring tension.

To have similar sounding strokes, you have to set up similar settings on your feet playing pedals. The beater can be hard to control after it strikes the drumhead which also makes it hard to gain speed.

To help tone it down, you want to tune it a little looser or put the necessary amount of muffling on the batter head.

What Do You Need to Know About Fine-Tuning?

A great-sounding bass drum is something that can give you satisfaction when listening to music. And so, here’s what we need to know about fine-tuning.

The head type, the drum size, and tuning all contribute to producing a great sound, but how does the pedal affect everything, and what is its relationship to the other parts? Go ahead and read on!

• Beaters

Bass drum beaters have different features, and it comes in a variety of styles too. Its shape and size affect the sound it produces.

A larger head can, of course, produce more volume compare to the one with a flatter surface. Apart from the shape and size, the material the beater is made up of also affects the sound.

A plastic or wood surface will give you more attack, while a quieter sound is produced by a softer surface like felt or rubber. There are also beaters that can rotate and have different playing surfaces.

These types give the drummers a variety of options to use on their gigs which can have different volume requirements. Weight affects the sound too, and modifying the weight from heavy to light will allow you to change the volume.

• Footboards

If you are after a more responsive action, then longboard pedals are easier to execute and offer lighter action. On the other hand, a split-board pedal offers more power and volume.

The texture of the footboard is also another consideration since some drummers prefer to play barefoot, and a rough surface will surely not feel comfortable.

• Action Adjustments

Using a strap or chain, a cam connects the footboard to the beater assembly. Its shape adds great impact on the pedal’s action.

A large round cam turns more easily and feels lighter, while a smaller round one gives a predictable response. On the other hand, an oblong cam produces the louder note and quicker action.

• Drive Systems

Most pedals use a belt, a direct drive, or a chain to attach the cam to the footboard and beater assembly. Leather belts have a tendency to break and wear sooner.

The chain ones, on the other hand, became popular due to their durability. Although, they may feel heavier and they can be hard to clean too. Direct drive pedals eliminate lags which are present with the other types.

• Angle Adjustments

The beater’s distance and angle from the head directly affect the power and the volume from each stroke. Most drummers want a close setting to trigger a bass drum sound that is aggressive.

A 60-degree angle can be used for quiet acoustic or jazz, while a 45-degree angle produces more volume and is ideal for pop and rock music.

• Rebound Settings

Bass pedals require some form of resistance to pull the beater back after it strikes the batter head, and this is where the spring comes into play. The spring puts the beater to the original position and releases the footboard after striking the head.

Final Thoughts: Just for Double Kicks

After the discussion above about how to set up double bass pedal, we can say that it is critical that we understand what part produces what kind of sound, and how these sounds affect your music as a whole.

It’s also good to know the ways and options on how you can modify the sound that each part produces, so you would know what to do when playing different genres.

The double bass drum pedal setup should always correlate with how all the other parts are positioned to produce your desired sound or results.

There may be technical adjustments and a lot of positioning changes that you need to focus on, but you also need to keep in mind that a great setup is what makes you feel comfortable while playing your music.

And so, go ahead and sit in front of your drum set and make adjustments until you feel comfortable.

There are no blanket rules with music, and no matter how much you research and ask professionals for help with any other setup, you are the only one who can say what will work best for you.

Because let’s all be honest, it will not be successful unless you are comfortable and happy making music with your drum set.

Most studio drum kits would have a couple of snare drums that are tuned differently but never out of tune. But what if one of them is out of tune? What are you going to do? Do you know how to tune a snare drum?

Professional drummers own more than one snare drum, and they often tune each piece different from the next as some songs require a different snare tune.

While the act of tuning a snare drum is easy, in paper, having to do the tuning before and right after a specific song is time consuming. It can also be a bother for roadies and technicians as well.

Steps to Tuning a Snare

A snare drum loses its tone when the membranes have become stretched and expands which can result in an uneven sound. This is why knowing how to tune a snare is important, especially if you are an up and coming drummer.

Since a snare drum has two sides to it, it is also logical that it comes with two different set of instructions for tuning the top and the bottom heads of a snare drum.

Tuning the Snare Head

Step 1: To check if this head is out of tune, press your thumbs on the edges of the snare head. It should be soft but not too soft; you can compare it to the softness of medium rare steak or the fleshy part of your palm.
Step 2: If you feel that it is too soft or if it gives too easily, then you would need to tune it.
Step 3: First things first, unlock the snare wires.
Step 4: Using a drum key, tighten the tension rods by at least half a turn until it feels just about right. Make sure to tighten the rod opposite the one you’re working on next while you tighten around the drum.This ensures that the tension is well-balanced.
Step 5: Lock the snare wires back into place and test the snare head again.

Tuning the Batter Head

Step 1: Tuning a drum requires that you loosen all the rods and start from scratch, this ensures that the tension is evenly spread out.

Step 2: Lightly press the membrane downwards into the shell.
Step 3: Tighten each tension rod until you can’t turn them by hand anymore.
Step 4: Get your drum key and tighten each rod by at least half a turn.
Step 5: Test the tuning by hitting the drum about an inch from the tension rod inwards.
Step 6: Tighten the rods as needed, but you should be able to play the snare as normal with the tuning that you’re used to.

What Is a Snare Drum?

In music theory, a snare drum is an instrument that can produce a sharp staccato sound when its head is hit with a drumstick. The force and the angle to which the head is hit dictates the tone that the snare drum produces.

Snare drums are the central piece to a drum kit, and it often dictates the rhythm of the song, as well as how the drummer would hit the other parts of the drum kit.

Drumsticks are the main implements to which to strike the snare head with, but other implements like brushes, rutes, and even your hands can be used to strike the snare and get the specific tone that you want.

What Are the Parts of a Snare Drum?

• Head

The surface of the snare drum which drummers hit is called the head, and its opposite side is called the snare-side head. Coated-batter heads are often used as materials for modern snare drums.

• Shell

Shells give snare drums its round appearance, and they generally have an impact on the sound that the snare produces. The material used for the shell plays into the sound quality as well.

• Strainer

This device holds the snares against the snare-side of the drum head and provides you, the drummer, a way to adjust the tensioning of the wire.

• Rims or Hoops

Hoops or rims are what you can see around the snare head, and it keeps everything together. Rims also house the other snare parts that dictate the tone of the whole instrument.

• Lugs and Tension Rods

These two act as the tensioning system of the drum head, and they ensure that less metal touches the shell, which affects the quality of the sound that the snare produces. They are found on the sides of the shell and are adjusted using a drum key.

• Snare Wires

These fragile strands of wire give snare drums their distinct sound when the head is struck. Different kinds of wires are often used to create different sounds.

• Mounting

The most popular mounting option is the traditional three-legged stand while a few sport options for attaching a sling and carrying the sling like the little drummer boy of yore.

How Does a Snare Drum Work?

A sound is produced when the membrane of the drum head is struck using a hand, a brush or a stick. This act pushes down the head which causes it to vibrate and spreads the transferred energy until it is fully dissipated through sound waves.

The snare wires react to this force by altering the sound depending on the strength of the force and the amount of tension that the snare wires are in. The sound then changes when you change the amount of force you applied using the drumsticks.

Some professional drummers alter the way they hit the snares to produce another set of sound while another technique also calls for hitting one of the drumsticks as it rests over the drum head.

Still, another method is hitting the rims or hoops to produce a flat beat instead of the staccato, and it sometimes works in conjunction with the hitting the head directly.

What Are the Types of Snare Drums?

• Orchestral

Concert snares often have wooden shells and metal cable snares. This kind of snare drum is also employed using a good-sized amount of muffling as well as orchestral bands to focus on the bass and the other instrument sections.

• Drumset Snare

This kind of snare is often found in rock and roll drum kits and employed snappy coiled snare wires. The shell is often made of fiberglass although there are some that are made of metal or single plywood.

• Marching Snare

This snare drum often has a high-tension and produces a deeper sound than normal snare drums. The heads of marching snares are commonly made of Kevlar and are designed with temperature and humidity in mind as they are often used in the field.

• Piccolo

This snare drums is shallower than the other types and are used mostly as a snare variant for drum kits. They produce a high-pitch sound and less thump which is perfect for some music genres.

Final Words: Experiment and Bang Away

Snare drums can be used in a multitude of ways. They are, of course, an auto-include for rock and roll drum kits as well as marching bands and orchestras.

They play a central part in each of these sets and knowing how to tune a snare drum gives you some street cred especially if you are still new to the group.

A drum set is a beautiful instrument that leads the band’s playing tempo. A drummer with impeccable timing skills can maintain the right rhythm of the song no matter what drums are in a drum set.

Whatever type of music you play or listen to, it is always the percussionist who regulates the beat.

Don’t you want to be just like that? Don’t you want to be the one with that unmatched wit to tell if the song is going too fast or too slow?

Perhaps we are asking too much, but we know you are here for a couple of reasons: You want to try out if a drum set is for you and find out if you could rock it.

These are not at all impossible! But before you do, let’s take a closer look at the components of a drum set first.

What Drums Are In A Drum Set?

The basic components of a drum set starts with the drums themselves, a hi-hat, and one suspended cymbal. Well, we know this is too basic and won’t compare to the kits you see your favorite artists play with.

But for starters, the “three-piece set” can be easier to study and play with as well.

In short, here are the basic drums found in a drum set:

1. Bass Drum
2. Snare Drum
3. Floor Toms
4. Tom-Toms

Let’s look at the details of each drum component:

1. Bass Drum

The bass drum, otherwise called the kick drum, is the largest drum you will see in a set. It is mounted on the floor vertically and sits in front of the player.

A mallet is attached to a pedal that is fitted at the bottom of the bass drum. When the player steps on the pedal, the mallet hits the drums and plays a low sounding thump.

Bass Drum

Bass drums are available in different diameters and depths. The 20-inch diameter with a depth of about 14-16 inches is the most common size that can cover most music.

Larger diameters of up to 28 inches are commercially available but not usually preferred. They are commonly used in other types of music land orchestra playing.

2. Snare Drum

The snare drum is the central part of every set. It produces a distinct staccato sound that is mostly present throughout the songs.

The stiff wires attached to the bottom skin of the snare, called snare, gives this drum its unique rolling sound. You may have seen snare drums in a marching band played in perfect unison and perfect timing.

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Snare Drum

The most common size of a snare drum is 14 x 5 inches. This is the usual size that comes with commercial drum sets. They are often positioned in front of the artist, between the legs.

Deeper snares have more wet and bassy sound. Smaller-diameter snares have a sharper and crisper tune which is preferred on hip-hop music. Advanced sets may include 10- or 12-inch auxiliary snare drums.

3. Tom-Tom Drums

Tom-toms are commonly called toms in drummer-lingo and have varying sizes. The basic three-piece set has one hanging tom mounted at the top of the bass drum.

Other modern models have the toms attached to other hardware stands instead to preserve the sound of the bass drum.

Mounted Tom

Commercial drum kits often come with a 12-inch-diameter tom that is 8 inches deep. These are versatile toms and are suitable for most types of music.

This drum has no snare fitted at the bottom skin and gives a fuller and rounder sound. They are often heard on drum fills as the music builds up and drum solos. A typical four-piece set has two hanging toms.

The smallest tom has a diameter of 6 inches and can be as large as 20 inches. Extended kits have multiple toms lined up in front and above the bass drum. Special mounting hardware may be required when adding three or more toms.

4. Floor Toms

As the name suggests, this tom is not mounted on the drum set. It is fitted with three feet that can be adjusted. The height of the floor tom can be adjusted to match the height and preference of the drummer.

The angle can also be adjusted for precision. Floor toms have a low-pitched thump that adds more depth to the music.

Floor Tom

Floor toms usually measure 18 inches in diameter and 14-16 inches deep. Their low-thumps, along with the thud of the bass drum, build music quite well.

Playing the Drums

The basic inclusions of the modern entry-level drum set include all of the pieces mentioned above. Rarely, they also come with one cymbal.

If you are a beginner, this basic set might take a while before you need a few auxiliary attachments. And although your favorite drummer makes it seem easy to play the drums, beginners may find it challenging.

It takes hours of intentional practice and mindful study. So before you dream of building a complicated drum set with varying tom sizes, cymbals, bells, chimes, tambourine, and other effects, mastering playing the basic set is a must!

On a lighter note, now that you know what drums are in a drum set, you are one step closer to becoming one of the greatest drummers of your time!

The next step is to find the type of drum set that suits your playing style. Remember, you will probably be using your first kit for a long while.

Your effort and time to look into the various types before you go ahead and purchase one will pay off in the long run.