We all know for a fact that the drum set is the coolest musical instrument in a band. It is also considered as the heart of the band because without the drums, there will be no life in the music. Playing the drums may look easy but the fact is, it’s really harder than it seems.
If you don’t have any past experience in playing the drums, then you may find it very difficult to learn how to start playing this particular instrument. However, you will also find that learning how to play the drums is very cool and can be a lot of fun. Like any instrument you try playing, you need to practice a lot in order for you to get better at playing it. And, you shouldn’t give up.
When you do decide to practice on a day to day basis, you will start to see that playing the drums will be as easy as walking. In fact, you can even develop your playing skills to the point that you will be able to play your favorite songs with the drums by ear.
If you want to learn how to play the drums, the best way to start is by learning about the history of the instrument. You also need to find out about the different types of drums that exist today. The size of the drum set you use is also important for you to learn, as well as the different brands and different sticks being used by drummers today.
You also need to learn about the different types of drums. So, for starters, here are the most common drums that will likely end up in your drum set.
The first is the bass drum. This is the big drum that sits on the flower and offers the low pitched sound that goes boom when you hit it with a foot pedal.
You also have the tom-toms. In a drum set, it comes in a set of three. You have the floor tom, the medium tom, and the high tom. In any drum set, you will also find the cymbals. Basically, these are the metal round objects. In drum sets, you will find the crash, ride, splash, and the high hat.
You also have the snare drum, which you will usually find on a drum set. This particular drum is usually hit with the drummer’s non-dominant hand.
These are the basic things that you will see on a drum set. After learning about the different type of drums used in a drum kit, the next step is to learn how to properly hold the drum stick. Basically, you can hold it any way you can as long as you are comfortable. But, it is best to get some advice on how to hold the drum sticks as it can have a great impact on the way you play the drums.
You can start playing the drums with simple notes and try to coordinate your hands with your feet at the same time. This is the hard part in playing the drums and it will take time and practice for you to completely have coordination on your whole body when playing the drums.
You can enroll in classes, buy tapes, videos, and even access the internet to get lessons.
It is a fact that learning how to play the drums is very difficult especially when you get to the part where you need to coordinate your hands and feet. But, with time, practice and dedication, you will be able to play the drums like a pro.
Now that you have a complete acoustic drum set, the next step is to set it up. First of all, you need to remember that the drum set should be arranged in a way where you will be able to play all of the components in a comfortable sitting position.
Whether you have a four-piece, five-piece, or six-piece drum set, the arrangement for it will vary with one drummer to another. There are really no rules in the arrangement of the drum kit. This means that the arrangement will largely depend on you.
To start arranging the drum set, you need to know how large your kit will be. If you have the basic drum set, you will have a four or five-piece drum set. This means that you will have a bass drum, a snare drum, two mounted toms and one floor tom. For the six-piece drum set, you will have one bass drum, one snare drum, two mounted toms, and two floor toms.
Just keep in mind that the larger the drum set, the more space you will need for setting it up and you will also have more equipment to transport.
When you are positioning the drums, you need to make sure that each drum is easy for you to hit with the drum stick in just one stroke. And, you should be able to do so comfortably while you are sitting down on the drum chair or what most drummers call the throne.
You can also try adjusting the angle of each drum if you are not comfortable with the initial set up. And, adjusting the angle will allow you to execute rim shots comfortably if it is called for.
You also need to keep in mind that you should try placing the entire set on a rug in order to prevent it from sliding away from you, which will happen if you place it in a smooth surface.
Electric drum kits can also be mixed in with the acoustic drum set. Again, you should place them where you are able to hit them with the drum stick easily and comfortably.
After setting up the drum set, the next thing that you should set up are the cymbals. So, just what are the types of cymbals you need in order to complete the entire kit? For basic kits, you only need three cymbals, namely the crash, hi-hat, and the ride.
You need to remember that cymbals are available in different brands. Always go for reliable brands that are known to produce good quality cymbals, such as Zildjian, Sabian, or Paiste. Although it is recommended that you buy the same brand together, you can still mix it up a bit.
A good quality cymbal may cost a bit more money but because of its quality in terms of sound and durability, it will be well-worth your money.
The stands for the cymbals should also be considered. If you have heavy cymbals, you need to have a stand that is more solid in construction.
Other accessories for drum sets would be double bass pedals if you play double bass, chimes, cowbell, and even gongs. It’s really a matter of personal preference.
These are the basics of arranging the drum set. There are really no rules in arranging it. The point here is to arrange it in a way where you will be able to comfortably play the drums.