General Drum Tips/Discussion Thread

[Birch Boy]

I haven't really seen a general drum thread here, possibly due to the excessive amount of guitar players , but I though this would be a nice place to share tips, techniques, songs, and anything else relevant. Here's some background for my drumming career:
I've been playing drums for a little over a year and have a
CB set with a Zildjian 18" Rezo crash, Zildjian 16" Medium Crash, Sabian hi-hats, a  Pitch Black 22" Zildjian ride cymbal, Pearl/Tama/CB stands, and Pearl double bass and hi-hat pedals.
Some songs I recently learned note-for-note are Creeping Death by Metallica and Cowboys From Hell by Pantera. I'm working on Dyers Eve currently.

[jezstyle]

I currently play a Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage Nouveau (Cranberry Red). Cymbals are a mix of Zildjians and Paistes. My kick pedal is an Axis X2 Double Pedal AX-X2.

My contribution tip to the topic: HOW TO GET A DEEP BASS DRUM SOUND (AKA: the Bob Gatzen technique)

Loosen the batter head all the way. Tighten them all finger tight, then press pretty firmly in the center of the head. Now tighten them just enough so that you can see any wrinkles, all while still pressing down in the center of the head. Once you don't see any wrinkles, you can release the pressure on the head. That should leave you at least with a good starting point for tuning.

[Birch Boy]

My contribution tip to the topic: HOW TO GET A DEEP BASS DRUM SOUND (AKA: the Bob Gatzen technique)

Loosen the batter head all the way. Tighten them all finger tight, then press pretty firmly in the center of the head. Now tighten them just enough so that you can see any wrinkles, all while still pressing down in the center of the head. Once you don't see any wrinkles, you can release the pressure on the head. That should leave you at least with a good starting point for tuning.

Sweet, I'll have to try this when I have free time this weekend!

Don't know if this is contributing, but heel-toe technique for playing double bass with one foot (think Nicko McBrain on Dream Of Mirrors [Iron Maiden])is very easy and sure to make people wonder how your playing it. There's a ton of videos on YouTube.com of lessons.

[Dimitrius]

I currently play a Yamaha Stage Custom

This is my kit! Great drums!


You can go that way for the deep sound. You can also try that with a pillow inside the bass drum shell or if you're willing to waste some money... you can also get the Remo Powersonic head and you won't need the pillow.


When it comes to drum heads, I find that Remo makes the best them!

[LTE]

I am currently stuck with a simple Yamaha DTXplorer electric kit with a nice set of yamaha double pedals, my parents wouldn't take kindly to acoustic drums in the house, although they take kindly to a cranked Mesa/Boogie haha.

[Scrub206]

i cant drum anymore stupid apartments... and stupid people likeing peace and quiet.

but ive been drumming for 7 years? i think. Tama superstar 5 piece kit. extra pearl 8in tom, iron cobra double pedals, 3 crashes a china hihats ride and a rigged stack all sabian.

oh god i miss playing

[True Death of Life]

ZILDJAN 


That is all.

[Dimitrius]

Nah, Sabian has more choices and original cymbals.

[Birch Boy]

I use Zildjian, but might by Mike's signature Sabians in the future.

[Dimitrius]

I use Zildjian, but might by Mike's signature Sabians in the future.

Zildjian's are awesome cymbals, don't get me wrong.

But Sabian has more variety, a hell of a lot more! And they're just as awesome as Zildjian.

I currently use a combination of both brands.

[Birch Boy]

I'm probably getting a new cymbal soon. Either a 17" A Custom crash, or just a plain A. Lars Ulrich used 17 and 18" A's during ...And Justice For All, so that gives me more incentive to try them out, although I hate the A finishes, and much prefer the A Custom's brilliant finish.