The question of whether or not you should wear headgear while drumming has been debated by many drummers over the years. Drummers have traditionally worn either hair ties or bandannas over their heads as a means of keeping their hair out of their face while they played. This made them appear less attractive to women. Headgears, on the other hand, have always provided the obvious benefit of protecting the drummer’s ears and providing a more streamlined look. Although there are some who debate whether or not it is “cool” to wear a helmet while playing, we will argue in favor of wearing a headgear. After all, it has always been believed that the best musician ever was a natural drummer.
Not surprisingly, the drum set has evolved throughout history. It has gone from a simple cylinder with four sides to elaborate drum sets complete with cymbals. Drummers wore helmets, drumsticks, footwarmers, and all kinds of decorative items on their heads. Drummers of yesteryear obviously did not have the advantage of wearing headgear. Therefore, if you want to emulate your great grandfather, who likely did not wear a helmet when he drummed, it makes sense to emulate his methods.
For starters, let’s assume that you are going to wear a simple drum set and no other headgear whatsoever. That might be all you need to get started. You may not even need a helmet; a simple ear protection would be adequate enough.
However, if you want to take your drumming to the next level, then you will probably want to invest in some drum sets. Headgear, especially a visor, works well to protect the user’s eyes. Not only does the visor provide a shield from the sun, but it also helps reduce the glare of the sun off of you drum set. These headers are also great for other reasons. A well designed visor can even provide you with some additional audio input capabilities.
If you happen to be playing in a club or a venue that prohibits drummers from wearing helmets, there is no reason for you to wear one. In most cases, a snare drum can cover your mouth and keep the rest of your head covered. In addition, you can even purchase a helmet shaped like a football to keep the rest of your face covered if you don’t want to get hit in the face every time you go up to kick. The main thing to remember is to be smart, be safe, and have fun!
Hopefully these headers tips have given you a starting point as you decide whether or not you want to wear them. You are not the first drummer to decide to wear them, nor are you the last. In fact, many musicians find that once they begin wearing these protective headwear, they fall in love with them! So, go ahead, rock your drum set!