Drums

The drummer sets the basic rhythm that the rest of the band plays on. In a way, every other part in the song fits around the time the drummer keeps. That is why it pays off to learn the instrument properly from day one. Not just to pick up habits by chance.

Drums look simple. You hit something, and it makes a sound. But to play real patterns well, in time, with hands and feet doing different things at once? That takes real practice. Three skills are at the core:

• A sense of time. To play steady. Not just fast.
• Stick technique. How your hands hit the drum. Clean and without wasted energy.
• Coordination. Getting all four limbs to do different things at the same time, without one of them tripping up the others.

The usual path is to learn basic stick exercises and a few basic rhythms first. They work in almost every style. Then you move on to the style you really want to play. Bad habits sneak in easily when you teach yourself, and they can be hard to get rid of. Some can even lead to injuries over time. So drums is one of the instruments where a teacher is really worth it.

A drum kit can be set up in many ways. The exact mix of drums and cymbals depends on the style and on the drummer. But every kit is built from the same few parts.

• Hi-hat. Often called the most important cymbal in the kit. Two cymbals you open and close with a foot pedal. Closed, it gives a short “tick.” Open, it rings longer and higher. The normal size is 14 inches.
• Ride cymbal. An alternative to the hi-hat for carrying the rhythm, often in choruses and in jazz. The normal size is 20 inches. Some rides can also work as a crash, depending on the metal and the thickness.
• Crash cymbal. For accents and changes, like the first hit of a chorus. It is higher than the ride. The size depends on style and taste.
• China cymbal. A similar job as the crash, but with a trashier sound. Very popular in rock.
• Snare drum. Together with the kick and the hi-hat, it forms the core of the rhythm. Wires under the drum give the snare its famous “crack.”
• Bass drum (kick). Often called the heart of the kit. The biggest drum, played with a foot pedal. 22 inches is the most common size, but it depends on the style. ❤️
• Toms. Used for fills between the main groove. Rock drummers often like big, deep toms. Jazz drummers often like smaller, higher ones.
• Hardware. The stands and pedals that hold it all together: cymbal stands, the hi-hat stand and pedal, a snare stand and the bass drum pedal.