Choosing the Drum You Sit On to Play

When choosing the drum you sit on to play, be sure that it has a good seat. The seat should limit rocking back and forth so that you can play for longer. The seat should also have a mechanism to raise or lower the height of the seat. The best seat to choose is one with a spindle base, as this type allows you to control the height of the chair by spinning it. Many drum manufacturers make a variety of seats with spindle bases for different types of drummers.

The snare drum is the main beat maker in a drum set. It is the lowest in pitch of all the drums in a kit and has a very tight sound when played. The other two drums in a basic drum set are called tom toms and have more of an open, pitched sound than the snare drum. Tom toms are usually about 8-inches in diameter and most drum kits include either two or three.

Adding the bass drum to your kit will provide a much bigger, heavier sound. It can be hit with a drum stick or the hand but is more often kicked with a pedal that is attached to the bass drum. The pedal is controlled by a separate device that is operated with the drummer’s foot.

The hi hat is the other main beat maker in a drum set. When played open it creates a ringing, jangly sound that can be long and resonant when played correctly. When they are closed they produce a sharp, short sound that is often referred to as a ‘chick’ sound. The most popular and easiest to learn drum beat is one that alternates between the bass drum and the snare drum, with the hi hat playing in between them.

Other drums in a kit include the ride cymbal which is used for simpler, steady rhythms and to keep time. The cymbal over to the right is the crash cymbal, which is used for louder, more explosive musical punctuation. Drummers also use cymbal dampers to alter the sounds of their cymbals, which is very helpful for achieving different tones.

Drumsticks are made from a variety of materials but maple, birch, or oak are common. The wood is what gives the drums their tone and feel, but there are a lot of other factors that go into a drum’s sound as well. The number of piles (wood layers) that a drum shell is built from, the size of the drum, and the thickness of the shell all contribute to how a drum sounds.

When it comes to buying drums & cymbals, it is generally best to buy name-brand items. Even the cheapest all-inclusive drum sets from big drum brands are usually of decent quality and will save you money in the long run over purchasing a la carte pieces of equipment. For cymbals, look for a name like Zildjian, Paiste, or Meinl.