Setting up the drum can be a very rewarding experience or can be very frustrating for somebody who is having troubles reaching certain drums or is uncomfortable. Allow me to shed some light on the subject and share with you some tools of the trade. Lets begin by starting on the foundation of the drum set and working our way up.
Pedals / Snare
Examine the pedals and make sure they are at the right distance they need to be so your legs are comfortable. Even if you have to move the snare out of the way for a moment to figure it out. Even though I’m a tall guy and play three pedals, my legs would rub against the snare to much with a 14″ snare. I’ve downgraded to a 13″inch drum which was traded for with my standard 14″inch tin can. I got a really good deal on it as the new snare is a custom maple piccolo. Only have to cough up maybe $50 dollars.
Now I could have kept the other snare but I prefer an even smaller secondary snare drum that can fit on the opposite side of the hi-hat. You may not have to get a smaller snare drum but its at least good to be aware of some of the things that could be hindering your groove.
Drum Throne
Go ahead an take a seat but try to adjust the seat high enough to where your thigh is pointing down just a little so you gain leverage on your pedals. Too much and you’ll feel like your reaching for your pedals and slow your speed down. This is very critical that your seat is at the proper height. Now while your seated lets check out the snare drum.
Double check that the snare is firmly attached to it’s stand and position it pointing slightly at you but high enough where you can still get rim shots. Too high and that rim may bite your knuckle when you reach for a tom. Setting up the snare can also take some time but you’ve about got your foundation all squared off. The next thing we’re going to look at is the hi-hat. It should be above your snare about 5-6 inches give or take. Making it easy to reach and play cross over or with both hands.
Toms
Most toms I’ve seen on other drum sets are position way too flat or way too slanted. Rule of thumb should be you should be able to do a double stroke with the first stroke hitting the tom and second reaching the snare called a sweep stroke. If its angled wrong it won’t allow that to be an easy task. Another thing to keep in mind is if you take a ruler and try to position each center drum that far or close apart you’ll have a much easier time jogging around the set.
It doesn’t have to be rubbing shell to shell but don’t put them far apart where it makes a sweep stroke hard to do. The floor tom should also angle towards you and the snare, plus about the same height. I know it can be a lot to absorb all at once after changing your set around but playing the set where it’s most effective is the best way period! It may take a little time even for you more experienced players to get used to changing it up some, but in the end it will be well worth it.
Have you ever wanted to play like those all jazz cats playing faster the heavy metal rockers? Well, the truth is out there on how to set drum up like an old 80 year old man.