Essential Drum Set Accessories

Drummers need a variety of accessories to make the most of their kit and keep it performing at its best. From anti-vibe drumstick devices to jingle mutes for sticks and even light up drumsticks that switch colours on stage, these are the sort of items that are a must have or would make a fantastic gift for any drummer.

One of the essential accessories for a drum set is a practice pad. These are usually designed to mimic the feel of an acoustic drum set at a much quieter volume, allowing drummers to practise for hours without annoying their neighbours or damaging their hearing. They also come in a wide selection of colours, designs and sizes, ranging from pads that are small enough to strap around your leg up to full size drums.

Another must have accessory for any drum set is a metronome. These are used to keep the drummer in time with the beat, ensuring that they practise at the correct speed. They’re great for beginners, helping them to get into the groove of a song and can be invaluable when a drummer is playing live.

A snare drum needs a special stand to support it and to produce its classic ‘buzz’ sound. This usually consists of legs that fold up, a basket to hold the drum and a mechanism to attach the snare wires. These may have a hook to hold the cords in place or be a separate mechanism that can be removed and replaced when not needed.

Drum kits normally include a ride cymbal, a pair of hi-hats and one or more crash cymbals. A ride cymbal is a larger cymbal, typically 20″ in diameter, which sits on the right hand side of the drum and can be hit with the tip or shoulder of the stick to create its characteristic ‘ping’ sound. It’s also often crashed, generating a heavy and loud crash sound.

Hi-hats are a key part of any drum set and need a dedicated stand to support them. This normally consists of a top cymbal seat attached to an adjustable tube and a bottom cymbal seat which is held inverted on the clutch, allowing the drummer to adjust the position of the cymbals for different sounds. A newer type of hi-hat stand also includes a snare holder that allows the drummer to add a snare drum to their kit.

Many older drum sets use a variety of hardware to mount rack toms and other cymbals. This can be a problem if any parts are lost or damaged, so it’s a good idea for any drummer to have a spare kit of drum hardware on hand. This can contain everything from wing nuts and cymbal felts to snare wire strings, hi-hat felts and tension rods.

A tom-tom rack can be a handy way to store and organize your tom toms and other cymbals, but it’s important to ensure that the design is strong enough to support the weight of the drums and prevent them from falling off. Most modern racks have a locking system to secure the toms in place and have angle and telescopic adjustment options.