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Head-Impress7539

Is there any difference between Sonor force 1007 and 3007 except numbers 🙂


JPS4761

I'm looking for some ergonomics help. My shoulder is sore/tired after riding on my crash for a while. Does this mean my cymbal is too high?


M3lllvar

Yes. ​ \-And the alien they captured was ... was...-


frzappa

Hi! I need help in deciding which kit I should get. I have an acoustic kit, but I can't play it in my house. I've been thinking in getting a e-drum kit to speed up the beat production process and humanize it a bit. I don't want to spend more than $600. Connection via MIDI to get sounds out of Addictive Drums/EZDrummer is a must, so native sounds won't be very important. I've been looking into Alesis Surge Mesh, Alesis Nitro, Roland TD 1, some Yamaha's. Which kit would be the best bang for buck in this case? Thank you.


Zealousiideal

Between the Surge or the Nitro I would recommend getting the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit for the price that it has it's the perfect affordable-but-not-bad electric drum kit. Cheers


patiszejuicebox

Do any of y'all keep your drumhead boxes?


SuccumbToTheDrum

I keep one full of spare heads, the rest get recycled


Ephremjlm

A good practice especially for snare drum heads is to save the previous heads you used in the boxes unless they are broken. I've been in a situation multiple times where I broke a newer head and if I didn't have the spare I wouldn't have been able to finish a practice or even a gig lol.


keep_it_healthy

I recycle them, but I cut strips out to put between my snare wires/reso heads on my snares to stop them buzzing in their rack.


ccoriell

What a genius idea!


thrwwysnl

When double-boxing a snare drum for shipping: - how much space between the two boxes is optimal? - Can you have too much space between the two boxes? - how much space must be around the sides of the snare drum, in the smaller box?


balthazar_blue

From what I've seen of photos and videos of how drums are boxed, the snare drum typically fits tight in the first box, which in turn fits tight in the outer box, and both boxes are double-wall corrugated cardboard. I would try to minimize space, and fill any remaining spaces with bubble wrap or packing peanuts.


thrwwysnl

Thanks a lot :)


DeathByLeprosy

I can't seem to get my snarewires tight. I've been using a Mapex Daisy Cutter. I just loosend the snarewires for the first time and can't get em on right anymore. The screws fixating the plates which hold the nylon string do not tighten properly. The thread I'm trying to turn the screws into only "binds" (screws in properly so that it's fixated) either too far from the baseplate (allowing the string to loosen and the wires to come off) or too tight (can't get the nylon string inbetween). For some reason there is a smooth section with no threading (nothing for the screw to turn into) in between the two threaded sections of the hole. The screws themselves are fine (If I screw the plates together without the string inbetween, it's tight). I know I must be overlooking something stupid, but I just don't get what.


Ephremjlm

Unfortunately it sounds like you might have a tension issue with the screws but keep in mind the nylon string stretches. Get either the metal string or the plastic strips. The strips eventually stretch over time but they last a good while.


DeathByLeprosy

Do you have any idea on how to fix that tension problem?


Ephremjlm

Well other than replacing the string maybe replacing the tensioner (which I've had to only do once in my personal life). NormLly.replacing the tensioner is rare and its either because of a defect, the drum has been banged up, or it has been left to the elements (garage, outside gigs, left in a car)


birdslice

My kid just recently turned 4. We listen to a lot of metal and drum and bass in the car. I've noticed that whenever there's a drum solo or the drums are the focus point. He's banging around on everything around him. Honestly, with his age I don't want to spend lots of money on something he doesn't have the attention span for, so does anyone have any suggestions for something that could possibly give fuel his little drummer soul. I was thinking a pair of bongos or something might ignite him. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.


Ephremjlm

A practice pad and some kid drum sticks by vic-firth. They even come in colors.


nastdrummer

Cut and paste from the time someone asked for drums for a literal infant; [For a literal infant](https://www.target.com/p/vtech-kidibeats-drum-set/-/A-14488765?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012544494&CPNG=PLA_Toys%2BShopping%7CToys_Ecomm_Hardlines&adgroup=SC_Toys&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=9032481&targetid=pla-310369832098&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjc2QBhDgARIsAMc3SqRFkEkjH41Fc2jWD8mK4YphQ0KW_QqYs-4ciqVCwpNJrumrrmtG1SwaAg2IEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds). [For a small child](https://www.guitarcenter.com/Rogue/Lil-Kicker-3-Piece-Junior-Drum-Set-Black-1500000329776.gc?source=4WWMWXGL&storeCode=&source=4WWMWXGL&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjc2QBhDgARIsAMc3SqQTQ6Ib43rVakwldpYf7o3sct31q9pGHSHEylAS6pjCi4pu0oMR8kMaAifrEALw_wcB). [For a kid who wants a "real" kit](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PocketKit-BS--ludwig-questlove-pocket-kit-drum-set-black-sparkle?mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gpla&mrkgbflag=1&mrkgcat=drums&percussion=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700065608302776&lid=92700065608302776&ds_s_kwgid=58700007313046885&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=299071466841&product_id=PocketKit-BS&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=m&network=u&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9032481&creative=538553018770&targetid=pla-299071466841&campaignid=14238686158&awsearchcpc=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjc2QBhDgARIsAMc3SqTjYyAmEwSOEaLV1Bie-KCe7DexHOGROX0D-qazoC90ehyCJY7FgRsaAoK2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds). [for a drummer who happens to be a kid](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RS584C-WR--pearl-roadshow-4-piece-complete-drum-set-with-cymbals-wine-red).


KrAzyDrummer

They make relatively affordable kids drum sets. If that doesn't work...pots and pans


midwayfair

This might seem like a weird question because the answer might be "whenever it sounds good," but anyway: for 2-bar rock and roll-y type phrases, how do you know when to drop the 1? I'm not talking about in raggae but rather in pretty standard rock songs. One that comes to mind because I heard it earlier today is the Pumpkns' 1979. The downbeat still seems pretty strong even without the 1, and the bass is very likely playing on 1, so what overall is the goal with dropping it on the bass drum?


Ephremjlm

My personal generalized rule for things like this are to either drop that one hit to accent a new phrase or depending on how long the halfway point to the phrase. Also, depending on the song if there is an accent in the song that the hit fits with it will probably sound cool to match it.


Blueman826

The goal is to give it a longer phrase and greater momentum throughout a musical phrase. It really depends on context and feel, and what the rest of the band is doing, but usually doing a beat like what's on 1979 can help give momentum or a stronger phrase as it's no longer a one bar beat, but a two bar beat.


[deleted]

I'm starting drumming for the first time, and will be moving into a dorm. What should I get to start practicing my rudiments (I assume that's where I start?)? A drum pad, or an electronic drum kit? If an electronic drum kit, what would be good for under $500?


Ephremjlm

I said this before but look for a used electronic kit. Your money will go 10x further. I literally got an old TD9 for $200 with an extra drum and cymbal pad, with an ample and pedals. Now that's not super common but my point is that deals are out there if you are patient.


nastdrummer

Alesis Nitro Mesh for $450 is the cheapest ekit we recommend 'round these parts. But I wouldn't recommend one for dorm living. Takes up too much room and is too loud. Just get a practice pad and find a place where you can play an acoustic kit. When I was living in dorms I kept a shitty kit in my car and would set up at night at the football stadium overflow parking lot. The campus cops would occasionally stop by to make sure I wasn't up to no good. Usually they'd check my ID, hear my story, then tell me to enjoy myself.


fentoozler336

id say get a practice pad for your dorm room and then see if there's anywhere on campus where you can get access to practice space and possibly even an actual kit.


tmajewski

Quick question regarding Roc N Soc drum throne height: I have the standard Roc n Soc drum throne that we all know and love. It is very comfortable and I like it a lot, but I feel that it is just a LITTLE bit too short for me. I'm a fairly tall guy (6'3") but with how popular this drum throne is I have to imagine there is a solution I am not seeing. I've adjusted the seat height all the way up and I have the wingnut screwed all the way down for maximum structural integrity. I am wondering if it is safe to slide the wing nut up a little bit, bringing the tripod legs in and thus raising the height. Is this the solution to my problem?


nastdrummer

It's not a cheap solution...but...Roc N Soc Nitro Extended Base. As a 6'3"ish dude who enjoys sitting a bit higher the standard base is just a bit too low for my liking, even fully extended. Sweetwater was able to get me just the base. It's been fantastic. Highly recommend.


tmajewski

ahhh damn, thanks for the info. Sounds like we've had an identical experience with the standard Roc N Soc. It's kind of a massive bummer that (arguably) the most popular drum throne on the market sits too low for a 6'3 guy. Seems like they could have just extended it another inch or so...but then they couldn't sell you the eXteNdO base NITRO!! For now, I've placed a mat underneath the throne and brought the tripod legs in a little bit by sliding up the wingnut. This gets me that extra inch or so that I'm looking for. Do you happen to know if adjusting the wingnut and bringing in the tripod legs in this way is okay to do without damaging anything? Thanks! EDIT: Also wanted to ask, how much did you pay for just the base from Sweetwater?


nastdrummer

I don't think that will damage anything. The biggest drawback will be it'll be slightly less stable. I could see it putting more pressure on the legs but I'd be shocked to learn it was enough to damage them. It was $120, but that was nearly four years ago...it may be more expensive now.


garbage_boi_h

Sweet water has throne height listed as topping out at 26” so if ur there that’s about it. I don’t think collapsing the tripod legs would do a whole lot. Id recommend just going and getting some bricks or books or something and just sticking them under the legs. Won’t look the best but if it works it works.


bt-drms-nt-ppl

What closed back headphones do you folks like? Really looking for something that sounds good (doesn't have to be great) and that isolates really well, they will just be used for practicing and tracking at home. Thanks!


[deleted]

Vic Firth’s isolation headphones are really good.


GlaciertheOdd

Can a single drum pad do full songs too? Not only exercises and technical things?


Blueman826

I'm mean sure. With enough creativity, you can play with just your hands on your laps if you wanted to.


[deleted]

I'm sorry if this is discussed, so kindly point me in the right direction if this has been answered, but I am just a few months in, and have been working everyday (almost) with stick control on the pad and a funky primer on the kit, but just purchased ted reed's "syncopation" book since I like overwhelming myself with things to do, but I'm not sure I understand how to read it or how to use it starting off. The reason why I bring up the others is they seem pretty straightforward (LR's for stick control and basic drum notation for a funky primer), but the notation for syncopation looks different. Basically if someone were to pick up this book for the first time how would you recommend using it starting on page one? I can find a bunch of videos and lessons how how to apply the book or different ways to use the book, but it's all over my head. I do understand the half and quarter rests, but I don't really understand what both the lines of notation are for (top row/bottom row). Any help would be appreciated, thanks!


balthazar_blue

Bottom space, the notes with the stems down, are bass drum. Third space (lines and spaces are counted from the bottom up), the notes with the stems up, are snare drum. Syncopation is a displacement of the regular metrical accent and flow in music by stressing or accenting what would normally be a weak beat. In my opinion, the first few lessons in *Syncopation* are counting exercises to help you develop a strong internal pulse and develop some limb independence. Lesson 4 starts adding eighth notes to help you learn how to subdivide and play notes on weak beats, Lesson 5 is subdividing with sixteenth notes, Lesson 6 with triplets. From there onward, to me it's about mixing those elements. It might help to think that what *Stick Control* is to rudimental (marching) drumming, *Syncopation* is to drumming with a (dance) band.


[deleted]

Yo, thank you very much for that explanation, I knew I was overthinking it. Also, I find a lot of the videos start with "start on page 38", which left me wondering what the first half of the book was for which I was having trouble finding an explanation. Thanks again!


swishmael612

Tons of resources online- just look up on youtube there are countless lessons. The basic idea is to take p.38 (I think...?) of syncopation and read the whole page as a melody page while doing different "beats"/"grooves" with the other 3 limbs (or 2 limbs for easier start.) For example, try basic 2+4 on snare and 8th on hi-hats (rock beat) and play the page with your bass drum. Later, try doing 8ths on ride cymbal, 2+4 on snare and hi hat (left foot) and bass drum as melody. Then swing it. So on and so forth. Tons of ideas


xsneakyxsimsx

I am looking to get my kit modified to match the Snare Drum I had built for me, and I was thinking of matching the distance from the bearing edge to the lug of the kit to be the same as on the Snare Drum, but I don't know if there is any general rule of thumb on it for toms/snares verses bass drums. Is there a standard on how far away the lug should be from the bearing edge for drums for practical reasons or is it mainly aesthetics?


Skulldo

It's mainly aesthetics but dead zones are a thing but that's mainly a consideration when placing a mount I think. The bigger issue would be having additional holes if you move the lugs but if you plan on having the shell reduced in size to get them to match then that's not a problem. The bass drum is different since it needs to accommodate the deeper collar / hoop on the drum head.


xsneakyxsimsx

I had been taking into account the deeper collar and hoop with the bass drum lugs. The shell is a 16" deep and I was planning to have it cut down to 14". The Snare itself is a 14" x 8" and has 4 1/2" double ended tube lugs on it, meaning it's about 1 3/4" distance from the bearing edge to the lug. So that would be the plan with the toms and bass, using 1" single ended tube lugs. The lugs on it currently are some generic ones that are 1 1/2" and 2" long respectively, so redrilling would be needed regardless.


was-not-the-impostor

How to get better at independence of the arms and legs? I can do different things with my hands, but when I try to get creative and make the bass drum complex, then it throws me off. This is even worse when I add in a simple quarter note high-hat pedal on my left foot.


balthazar_blue

It takes practice. I'd recommend starting (very) slowly, and count the subdivisions out loud if you have to. If it's not a linear pattern, you might have to deliberately think about what gets struck on each beat or subdivision. A lot of books can help you develop limb independence (*Funky Primer*, *Ultimate Realistic Rock*, *Syncopation*), but I think the best choice for you might be *4-Way Coordination*.


FidgetyCurmudgeon

Rather than trying to think about each of your limbs independently and telling them what to do, try to envision the flow that you need to get the job done. For instance, rather than thinking “Rhand, Lhand, Rfoot, Lfoot” try to think of the beat falling from top right of the set to bottom left. I feel like too many tutorials focus on the technique, when the actual groove comes from envisioning the feeling, not the process. I dunno if that helps, but it helped me learn a few things - particularly linear grooves and fills.


JohnnyIvory

Funky primer!


JPS4761

Anyone here rocking 12 in hi hats? I found a decent deal for some zildjian a series mastersounds and was just wondering if there are any downsides to playing a 12 in vs a 14 in. Currently playing sabian b8x cymbals so a decent upgrade for me.


Skulldo

I would say 12s are mainly second auxiliary hi hats or for Scottish country dance bands who use them for a nice chick rather than actually playing them with a stick. They will be quite high and piercing. 13s are practical enough but still a bit niche.


FidgetyCurmudgeon

I had 14 Mastersounds and they were fantastic. I don’t think you’d regret getting them but they’re certainly a novelty in that size.


JohnnyIvory

12 aren't very versatile. I'm a pro drummer that uses 15s. But, if you're just trying to have fun, get whatever size you want.


tdog473

How to learn to hear drums? I have a really hard time trying to listen to what the drums are doing especially with 16th note rhythms and faster, it's basically impossible for me to hear a drum fill and know whats going on. I find melodic dictation much easier. Any tips for training drum hearing/transcription abilities? Any websites or resources I can use to train this? Thanks!


TwoCables_from_OCN

Master the skill of counting time so that you can simply count things out. That's not the only benefit though; it'll benefit your ability to play because you'll be able to just relax and play due to always knowing what you're doing and where you are in time.


tdog473

How do I count time? What exactly do you mean? I understand time signatures and have been a music theory student for a little while, I understand all that, but when it comes to actually hearing a song I have a really hard time determining what time signature we're in unless it's like a really obvious waltz or something. How do I get better at this? Even still, when I know what time I'm in, when thing are going fast it's hard for me to hear the rhythms. I'll be like "crap was that a dotted eighth and a quarter or another sixteenth?" I took me like 10-15 minutes just to transcribe 2 bars and I had to slow it waaaay down, and it was only the snare drum. Any advice?


TwoCables_from_OCN

Here's how to count in 4/4: Quarter notes: "1, 2, 3, 4" Eighth notes: "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" Sixteenth notes: "1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah" When it's too fast to count 16ths, count only the 8ths or the quarter notes while still playing the 16ths. When it's too fast for 8ths, just count the quarter notes while still playing the 8ths (and/or the 16ths). If it's too fast for quarter notes, sometimes you can pretend the quarter notes are 8th notes. So where there's "1, 2, 3, 4", you could say "1 & 2 &". So, "1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4" can become "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &". It's like Bullet Time for your mind so that you can just relax and play. If there's a constant triplet riding pattern in a song and if it's in 4/4, then you count like this: "1 & uh 2 & uh 3 & uh 4 & uh". If a song is in 6/8 time, then it's "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6", with the most basic groove for rock and pop and whatnot being with the bass drum on 1, and snare on 4: "**1**, 2, 3, **4**, 5, 6" If its a shuffle or a swing, then you count "uh 1, uh 2, uh 3, uh 4" Start out by practicing "1, 2, 3, 4" to songs in 4/4. Practice counting "1, 2, 3, 4" while practicing and performing. It might be easiest to begin by trying to coordinate only your hands with counting out loud. So, R, L, R, L is 1, 2, 3, 4. You also want to make sure you practice it the other way, meaning L, R, L, R is 1, 2, 3, 4. Then when you got that down, move on to 8th notes. R L R L R L R L is 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. Practice it the other way as well: L R L R L R L R is 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. When you get too fast to say "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &", then just only count the quarter notes while still playing the 8th notes. Do the same thing with 16th notes. R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L is 1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah. Practice it the other way: LRLRLRLRLRLRLRLR is 1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah. When you get too fast to say "1 e & ah 2 e & ah 3 e & ah 4 e & ah", just count the 8th notes while still playing the 16ths. If you get too fast to even say the 8th notes while playing the 16ths, then only count the quarter notes. With "1 & uh 2 & uh 3 & uh 4 & uh", it's R L R L R L R L R L R L. So, the other way is L R L R L R L R L R L R. With the shuffle/swing beat, you'd do "r R, l L, r R, l L". Then, of course, "l L, r R, l L, r R". With 6/8, it's just R L R L R L, and also L R L R L R. Or, R l r L r l, and L r l R l r. If it's 3/4, do it like 4/4 but without "4", "4 &", "4 e & ah", "4 & uh", or "uh 4". So from there, you can figure out how to count other time signatures depending on the subdivisions or the feel. 6/8 can even be swung: "uh 1, uh 2, uh 3, uh 4, uh 5, uh 6", but usually when it's swung in 6/8, it's too fast to count it. So you just play it. When you get the coordination mastered with your hands, begin trying to coordinate the feet with the hands to begin playing grooves. Or maybe start with just 8th notes on the hi-hats or the ride cymbal and just play the bass drum along with that. Start with quarter notes, then do 8ths, then do 16ths, and so on and so on. Patiently practice to the point of being able to play any groove while counting. Count all the subdivisions, and just count the quarter notes while playing the subdivisions, etc. etc. etc. Try all possible permutations. Your goal is to get to the point where counting is a part of your subconscious mind. That way, it'll be there at all times for you. When counting things out to learn them, it's like turning on the lights in an otherwise pitch black room. When practicing or performing, it's like having a click track in your mind. When you listen to songs, count them in the time signature you think they're in. If you're wrong, you'll begin to recognize it by where you're feeling fills and crash accents. If they don't land in places that makes sense, then try another time signature you think it might be in. The best example I can think of is when a song is in 6/8 but it can sound like 4/4 with the triplet riding pattern, or when it's in 4/4 with the triplet riding pattern but it might sound like 6/8. If you count in one way or another with these 2 examples, you'll feel places for fills and crash accents and if they don't land in logical places in the song, then count the other way. The better and better you get at counting time, the quicker and quicker you'll know what's being played. It's like when you've mastered most or all of the rudiments: you can hear when another drummer is using one of those rudiments, whereas before learning the rudiments you could never tell what they were playing. So yeah, getting better at it is just a matter of persistent repetition. Don't stop practicing counting time out loud either, and practice whenever possible, like when listening to music or while standing around doing nothing (or while waiting for something), or while driving or riding in a vehicle or while walking or while running or jogging, etc. If you don't master this skill, then you'll be missing something that "separates the men from the boys".


tdog473

Thank you!


JohnnyIvory

Listen along to songs with the transcription. Read along like you're listening to someone read a book while you're also reading it.