Drum tips, tricks, product reviews, and more.
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 […]
Shopping for cymbals can lead to serious sticker shock these days. Regardless of the make or model, prices have jumped the past few years. Dollars just don’t go as far as they used to. The good news is there are still some good values out there, particularly when it comes to starter and intermediate cymbal […]
When you think of drumming mistakes, you might think of botching a backbeat, flubbing a fill, or dropping a drumstick. Those are mistakes every drummer makes from time to time while playing. But drummers often make mistakes with their drumheads, too. These are the types of mistakes that can make drummers sound worse, waste money, […]
Are you looking to add a nice snare to your drum collection, but don’t want to spend a bunch of money? Maybe you’re upgrading from a starter snare or you just need a new type of sound. In any case, this list is for you! Many less-expensive snare drums have cheap parts and poor sound […]
Ride cymbals may get most of the attention among jazz drummers, but hi-hats play their own important role. From traditional off-beat foot chicks to driving eighth-notes propelling a groove, hi-hats can make or break the vibe of any jazz drummer’s performance. But which hats should you buy? The challenge of finding the right hi-hats for […]
If you haven’t done a live soundcheck before, the process may seem a little intimidating. What are you supposed to do? What shouldn’t you do? Why is it even necessary? Well, fret not! We’ll answer those questions in this introduction to drum soundchecks, so you can go on stage without feeling like you might screw […]
