Drum tips, tricks, product reviews, and more.
Jazz is an expressive style of music, involving a blend of improvisation, rhythmic complexity, and dynamic nuance. While some forms are loud and aggressive, most jazz is played at moderate volumes, in small venues, by small groups. All of that factors into which snare heads tend to work best. These are heads geared more towards […]
Changing snare wires from time to time is part of what keeps a snare drum sounding great. Wires can bend, break, get stretched out, or just lose some of the vibrance they once had. Changing wires can also be a good way to switch up your snare sound. Maybe you’re happy with the drum’s heads, […]
Buying a hardware pack is a great way to complete a drum set or upgrade your current gear. Many people buy their hardware piece by piece, but a pack can save you money and ensure your stands match. The thing is, that doesn’t make every hardware pack a great buy. Some packs have a component […]
Buying used can be a great way to get drum gear. You’ll save some money and may even find some products you can’t buy new anymore. Along with the upsides, however, buying used comes with a few extra risks. Sometimes items aren’t as advertised and you usually don’t know anything about the seller you’re buying […]
Ride cymbals play a very important role in a jazz drummer’s sound. While most modern drumming centers around the snare and bass drum, jazz is usually different. The cymbals propel the groove, particularly the ride cymbal. That’s why finding the right ride is so important, no matter what flavor of jazz you might play. The […]
Most drummers need their snare stands to do a few simple things: hold their snare drum securely, position the drum at the correct height and angle, and handle the normal wear and tear of playing live shows. There are plenty of super-expensive stands that do those things well, but what about models in a more […]
Referring to the famous adage “Practice makes perfect”, Vince Lombardi once said, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect”. The legendary NFL coach was onto something. He understood a principle that can be applied to just about any sport, art, job, or hobby – that practice will help you get better, but practicing the […]
Steel snare drums are among the most common in the industry. From middle school concert bands to professional touring acts, there’s a decent chance the snare being used has a steel shell. Steel is easy to manufacture, while being more affordable than other common drum shell materials. Combined with a projecting sound and semi-bright tone, […]
Metal drummers have a unique set of gear requirements. They need hardware that won’t break down or move under heavy playing, drums and cymbals that can cut through loud stage volumes, and heads that can take a beating while still sounding good. Snare heads, in particular, are asked to do a lot in this […]
George Costanza once said “important things go in a case” in one popular episode of Seinfeld. “You got a skull for your brain, a plastic sleeve for your comb, and a wallet for your money”. Well, the same can be said of drum gear. Snare drums, in particular, are often expensive, while having fragile parts […]
