How is a drum kit set up and tuned?
Before you go about setting up your drumkit, we recommend reading our online guide to setting up drums, which includes step-by-step instructions on how to set up a drum kit and position the individual components in an ergonomically ideal fashion, as well as a range of tips on how to tune the individual drums.
What accessories are needed to go with a drum kit?
The most important accessory (and wear part) for a drum kit are without doubt the drumsticks, which are most commonly made from hickory or maple. The most popular weights are 5A, 7A, and 5B, and to help you find the drumsticks with the wood and tip size that are just right for you, Thomann has also created the Woodpicker online tool.
To ensure that your drum kit is stable and that the bass drum and hi-hat in particular don't slide out of place while playing, it is also worth investing in a drum rug.
If your drum kit does not include one in the scope of delivery, it is a good idea to purchase a suitable drum throne right away. And since many hours are probably going to be spent behind the kit, it is definitely worth spending a bit more money to get a really high-quality drum throne from the start.
Practice pads are a very useful accessory for players who want to warm up or simply practise quietly, and these are available in many different designs and with a range of different rebound characteristics (this refers to the extent to which the tip of the stick bounces back from the pad's surface). Popular brands here include Evans, Millenium, RTom, and Zildjian.
Acoustic drums are of course a very loud instrument, so it should come as no surprise that suitable hearing protection is also an important accessory to consider. Special headphones for drummers are also available, which make it possible to play along to music while protecting your ears at the same time.
After the sticks, the second most important wear part are the drumheads, which have to be replaced on the toms, snare, and bass drum from time to time. The resonant heads on the underside of the respective drum also play a decisive role in the sound, even if they are not actually struck.
Drummers are responsible for providing the rhythm for the other musicians, and finding (and keeping!) the right tempo is best practised with a metronome. These are available in all manner of designs, from the pocket-sized Korg MA-2 through to stage-worthy, programmable models like the Tama RW 200 Rhythm Watch.
Drum dampers take different forms depending on the drum for which they are used: Bass drum muffler pillows help to focus the sound of the bass drum, while rings made from synthetic materials or gel pads are used for damping toms and snare drums. Players who want to drastically reduce the volume of their entire drum kit should instead opt for a full set of drum practice dampers for their drums and cymbals, however.
An acoustic drum kit will also need to be re-tuned from time to time, and this is where a suitable tuning key comes into play. Luckily, most snare drums and acoustic drum kits normally include a tuning key in the scope of delivery.
If you want to get a wider range of sounds from your drum kit, why not also pick up a set of mallets, brushes, and hot rods to add to your drumstick bag?
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