Equipment and Accessories

• ** Zildjian Cymbals **-

  The development of the drum set is largely rooted in American tradition and music, and therefore most of what are considered vintage and classic drum sets were made by American companies. Some of the famous early drum set makers include Slingerland, Leedy, Ludwig, Rogers, and Gretsch. Naturally, the Zildjian cymbals we recognize today carry the names of those pioneers.

• ** Vintage Drums **-

  The development of the drum set is largely rooted in American tradition and music, and therefore most of what are considered vintage and classic drum sets were made by American companies. Some of the famous early drum set makers include Slingerland, Leedy, Ludwig, Rogers, and Gretsch. Naturally, the vintage drums we recognize today carry the names of those pioneers.

• ** Snare Drums **-

  The snare drum is the center piece of the modern drum kit. Snare drums are made of a wooden or metal shell and are double headed. The snare drum's batter head is stretched across the drum's top and is the part struck with the stick when the drum is played. The snare drum's snare head is stretched across the bottom and is usually thinner than the batter head. The distinctive snare drum sound is produced by wires, called snares, that are tightly stretched over the snare head.

• ** Djembe Drums **-

  Djembe drums (pronounced jem-bay) are hand played, goblet-shaped traditional West African percussion instruments, that started making an impact outside that continent in the 1950s, and today are among the most popular of traditional drums around the world.

• ** Drum Pads **-

  The world of drum is full of pads, but there are a few, quite different categories of drum pads, each with it's own use. This page discusses and explains those drum pad types, and how you can use them in your life as a drummer or drum student.

• ** Drum Racks **-

  Drum racks are frames consisting of rods or tubes, made of metal or composite materials, utilized as mounting platforms for drums, cymbals, and other percussive instruments in a set. They were first introduced by Pearl in 1983. Racks present an alternative to tripod stand bases, which get cluttered and difficult to position when many are used. Drum racks are therefore frequently used in large drum sets.

• ** Drum Machines **-

  Drum machines are electronic or electric devices that make sounds and rhythms not unlike those of drum sets or other percussion instruments, although early machines' sounds resembled their acoustic counterparts much less. The drum machines we have today can be programmed to create a vast variety of different rhythms and expressions, but the early drum machines predecessors, called rhythm machines, could only generate preset rhythms such as tango, samba, bossa-nova, swing, etc. The first rhythm machine was the Wurlitzer Sideman, and it came out in 1959

• ** Drum Cases and Drum Bags **-

  One of the worst things you can do to your drums is transport them without cases. The most common way drums and cymbals get damaged beyond repair is as they're being moved. Therefore, if you value your drums and planning on taking them anywhere, getting a set of drum cases and a cymbals bag is a good idea. Bags and cases will also ease the pain of having to carry the equipment with handles, wheels, and straps.

• ** Drum-Heads **-

  A drum head is the film that covers the drum shell, and its function is to produce the sound. The drums of a modern drum kit usually have two drum-heads, one on top and the other on the bottom. The drum head at the top is called the batter head, and its function is to be hit by a stick and vibrate to make the sound.

• ** Kids' Drum Sets - Junior Drums **-

  Kids' drum sets, also commonly known as junior drum sets, are small sized kits that serve a great purpose as learning instruments suitable for small children and bargains for parents. Kids' drum sets are not usually designed as full performance instruments and are make to withstand the playing force of a small child only, and therefore can be offered at more attractive prices than their adult counterparts.

• ** The Hi-Hat **-

  The hi-hat is one of the central pieces of the modern drum kit. Much of its use is in keeping time and carrying the rhythm. The hi-hat is essential a pair of cymbals, mounted on a vertical rod, that can be made to come together or apart using a foot pedal. The two cymbals are mounted so that they come together at a slight angle, so that when they first touch, they only do so at a single point. This is to allow air to easily escape as the hi-hat closes.

• ** Drum Thrones Must Not Be Overlooked **-

  The drum throne is the stool the drummer sits on while playing the drums. For many beginner drummers the drum throne is an afterthought, but it is actually a very important part of the set. The importance of a good drum throne is often marginalized because many starter and advanced drum kits already include a throne. But the truth is that most drum thrones that come with the kits are of low quality. They are flimsy, unstable, and uncomfortable.

• ** Ear Plugs - An Important Accessory for Drummers and Other Musicians **-

  I always wear ear plugs when I play drums. I was never a big fan of loud noise, and here I am, playing rock drums. Ironic isn't it? Well, that's what ear plugs are for.

• ** Drum Software **-

  Due to the power of the personal computer, Drum software overtook much of what was once the exclusive domain of physical, or hardware, drum machines, which are standalone electronic modules. Drum software runs on a standard PC and utilizes its power to help you compose beats and groves, and generate their sound. Drum machine software provides several advantages over the more traditional drum machines:

• ** Metronomes and Metronome Features for Drum Practice **-

  A metronome is a vital practice instrument for any musician, and especially for a drummer, whose main function is to keep a steady rhythm. What you'll learn next is what to look for a metronome that's specifically good for drummers.

  Metronomes can range from about $10 to $200. I don't recommend buying the $10 ones, tough. You should also avoid those mechanical, pendulum based metronomes, even if they look sophisticated. They are not that common anymore. A digital metronome is the way to go.