Setting Up Your New Drumset
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The Drum Room <new drummer> |
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We've seen it all. From the basic 4 piece setup (bass, snare, mounted tom, floor tom), to the "chrome forest, drums hangin' from the ceiling monstrosities. Whatever your kit consists of, here are a few tips to help optimize your performance. Keep it within reach; Drums that are hard to reach not only are hard to hit, but they dramatically reduce your speed. Mounted toms should be positioned so that your drumstick is in total vertical downward motion upon hitting the head. This technique allows movement to go with gravity and reduces wrist strain. Your snare should be no higher that your bellybutton. Floor toms should be the same height as your snare with a slight pitch towards you. Cymbal position; Cymbals should be relatively close. Although personal preference will dictate cymbal position, it's a good idea to keep crash/splash cymbals at slightly above eye level. This will not only conserve energy, but it will allow more control over cymbal sound. Rock drummers tend to use less of a pitch than jazz drummers so as to hit the cymbal edge with more conviction, as opposed to the lighter hit generally used by the jazz drummer. Throne height; Again, resistance is the key. Position your throne to the height that allows the most leg movement with the least amount of energy expelled. A throne too high will cause back strain by causing you to sit towards the edge of the seat. While a throne too low will cause you to use more energy playing the bass drums.
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