How To Set Up Your Drums Correctly | First Drum Lesson
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
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_______________ How To Set Up Your Drums Correctly (3 Tips) -- We have all dealt with this before. We've all been beginner drummers. But this isn't just an issue for beginners. It's an issue all drummers face every day. Every drummer has sat in front of their drums and wondered "how do I set this drum set up correctly?". I remember all too well the overwhelming feeling of having my first drum set and trying to set up those drums to play them.
Here's the deal, drums that you see posted on websites or in music stores, catalogues, etc. are meant to do one thing...SELL DRUMS! They are NOT set up so that you can comfortably play them. They are set up so that you can see each drum, cymbal, and cymbal stand in the picture. That's it.
But this leaves the beginner drummer with an incorrect idea of how to set up their drums.
In this quick video, I give you 3 tips for getting started with setting up your drums. The good news? There's no wrong way to set them up. If it is comfortable for you, it's correct. There are more efficient ways, more ergonomic setups, best practices to avoid injury...but "correct" is in the eye of the beholder in this case.
So I encourage you, if you are a beginner drummer (or a more experienced drummer that is struggling with their current drum setup), take some time to really get to know your drums and to set them up in a way that is comfortable for you and your body type.
Leave a comment below with your drumming setup questions, thoughts, or ideas...I read them all!
Also, if you would like to check out some more lessons in this beginner drummer series, here's the links:
Your First Drum Lesson: • Your First Drum Lesson...
Your First Drum Fill: • Drum Fills For Beginne...
How To Set Up Your Drums Like The Pro's: • HOW TO SET UP YOUR DRU...
#StephenTaylor #Beginnerdrummer
___
FREE drum lesson series "Creating A Drum Fill Vocabulary": www.stephensdr...
FREE download "30 Days to Better Doubles": www.stephensdru...
FREE practice lesson series "Transforming Your Practice Time": www.theartofpr...
Instagram: / stephensdrumshed
Facebook: / stephen.taylor.drum.le...
Twitter: / drummeretc
Cymbal Setup From Left To Right:
All Zildjian
Hats:
16" EFX Crash on top
16" K Light Top Hat on bottom
18" Kerope Crash
22" K Custom Dark Complex Ride
22" Renaissance Ride
Drums:
Tama Starclassic Bubinga with Tiger Wood finish
Sticks:
Vic Firth 5A
Drumheads:
Aquarian
Classic Clear on toms and snare resonant
Response 2 on toms batter
Hi-Velocity on snare batter
Regularor (Ebony) on kick resonant
Super Kick 10 on kick batter
Alclair In Ear Monitors #StephenTaylor #BestDrumLessons
I started playing literally.... Yesterday. And I'm already grateful for these videos thank you
help me. THIS IS LITERALLY ME
I definitely got OCD when it comes to setting up the kit. I even make sure all the bolts are lined up 😂
My band hates how long it takes me to set up my kit. I need to have it just perfect. And even as we start the set, I'm adjusting a bit.
I would like to see your kit
@@biffmalibu9488 how to lose a gig
Feels like too much work
@@megazap9986 not really! Ive seen big bands take forever to set their drums up and if it sound better than its worth it and no one cares! Lmao
How do I keep other drummers off my kit? Play left handed.
Wrong. My uncle is left handed and I play his drums left handed because 1, it's fun and 2, helps work out my left side.
One guitarist friend of mine used to get drunk and bash the shit out my drums and brake sticks and stuff, when I was not there. I had to get rough and yell "YOU DON'T FUCKING TOUCH MY DRUMS ANYMORE, UNDERSTOOD?"
husband got on my set while was at work he mist have banged real hard..every drum was moved and sticks were broke..I had a fit when i got on my set that night..he hasnt touched them since
@heath ledger is pog ??
Play on a left handed kit you mean. Don't forget open handed weirdos like me.
"Did you touch my drums?"
"No"
"Why are you all sweaty?"
"I was watching cops"
Sounds just like a step brother.
Uh oh
John Bonham played “Moby Dick” for real! 🤣
Cops isn’t on till 4
We have all struggled with this.
This isn't an issue just for beginner drummers...every drummer deals with this on a daily basis. Every drummer has sat in front of their drums and wondered "how do I set this drum set up correctly?", "Is there a better way to set it up?", "Is this set up wrong?". I remember all too well the overwhelming feeling of having my first drum set and trying to set up those drums to play them.
Here's the deal, drums that you see posted on websites or in music stores, catalogues, etc. are meant to do one thing...SELL DRUMS! They are NOT set up so that you can comfortably play them. They are set up so that you can see each drum, cymbal, and cymbal stand in the picture. That's it.
But this leaves the beginner drummer with an incorrect idea of how to set up their drums.
In this quick video, I give you 3 tips for getting started with setting up your drums. The good news? There's no wrong way to set them up. If it is comfortable for you, it's correct. There are more efficient ways, more ergonomic setups, best practices to avoid injury...but "correct" is in the eye of the beholder in this case.
So I encourage you, if you are a beginner drummer (or a more experienced drummer that is struggling with their current drum setup), take some time to really get to know your drums and to set them up in a way that is comfortable for you and your body type.
Leave a comment below with your drumming setup questions, thoughts, or ideas...I read them all!
Also, if you would like to check out some more FREE lessons, here's the links:
Your First Drum Lesson: czcams.com/video/plH20pMLxiA/video.html
Your First Drum Fill: czcams.com/video/hM1xB6gXMpA/video.html
How To Set Up Your Drums Like The Pro's: czcams.com/video/Eu-Zr58JL2w/video.html
Stephen Taylor great stuff Stephen a comfortable drummer is a happy one 👍
Hey Stephen, thanks for the great content! My question is about my electric drum set; I have a normal acoustic kit with a configuration that I'm pretty happy with, but because of my schedule and living situation most of my practice has to be on the electric kit. Because of the rack, cord length, and the limited amount of wiggle room that the individual pieces have, certain setups are just simply not possible; something is always in an uncomfortable spot no matter what I'm playing. It's really a pain in the ass. I'm at the point where I want to just throw this thing into a volcano. Should I just sell my electric set and practice my rudiments on a few practice pads? Or how about those dampeners for the acoustic set, do they actually work? I truly love playing the drums; the feeling I get when the groove is just right is indescribable, but I am becoming more and more discouraged with my playing everyday. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Agreed. And I think the reason this happens is we've been playing a certain way for a long time and we're afraid to change or adjust for fear of clunking something while playing, therefore, keep the status quo. The answer is, change things on your own time and see if it helps or hurts.
Can you next video be about how to play American idiot by Green Day
I've wanted to play an instrument for a very long time, For years I tried to play guitar and nothing ever stuck. Friends would try to teach me, I'd watch tutorial dvd's and so and so forth but I couldn't get the hang of it. I sat down at a drum kit for the first time today and watched some of your videos on my laptop while I did and I'm already playing a couple of basic beats. In a few hours I've made more progress on a drum kit than I ever did on a guitar. I always thought a drum kit had to be set up in a certain way as even at live gigs (mostly punk gigs in back end bars) they were always set up the same way. When I heard you say there are no rules I shifted things around and everything feels so much more natural now. Think I might have found my instrument.
Just getting my first kit at 46!! This has helped loads. Thank you 👍
getting my first kit at 55
@@IAMHOPFROG Just got my first kit at 49!
@@christianwheeler8386 very cool
Got mines at 28
51 here!
Maybe not a setup thing but I think it is very important. Spend money on a comfortable drum throne! At my university the drum stools are really thin and noticed that over time my back has started ache a little. Now I stretch everyday to try minimise that ache. I also asked for the stool to be changed. Your back will thank you when you look after it.
I agree. As a guitarist who has been playing drums for as long as the drummers would let me, I finally got my first (electric) set. I'm using an office chair with the back taken off and a broken height lever as a stool. Looks like I'll be getting a throne next.
I just ordered a $600 drum set for me and my daughter but also ordered a $200 throne. Never drummed before but that one was obvious to me.
@@punasurf4697 Awesome! You're going to have very happy backs. Wish I knew sooner.
czcams.com/video/4lJ5FEV0a10/video.html
Funny - I came here to hear where exactly i'm supposed to set all of the pieces, i got something opposite to what that i expected and i'm still totally satisfied with the result 😂I'm happy to find out it's actually okay to just do things on my own instead of recreating other people's setting. It makes sense to set everything based on what your body reacts to your drumming. Thank you.
I constantly move things around, but I'm never really happy with it. The reason is that a certain location of a drum feels comfy for one hand, but usually then is hard to reach for the other hand. It's always a compromise 😒
Together with what you said, I like to play the drums, after I set them up, with my eyes closed, and assess whether I am naturally comfortable. Moving quickly around the kit without hitting (too much) the rims, making sure I am maintaining a good posture, and making sure I don't overreach any part of the drum set are all things I like to guarantee as well
0:54 - every movie ever that had a band scene.
Hi Stephen, I've been playing guitar for more than 40 years, I like odd tempos 7/8, 5/4, etc. I always had trouble explaining to my drummer how to play things. Now I got for the second time in my life a drumkit and I found your videos. I like the way you explain things, specially when you said, "there are no rules". That's what I always say to my guitar pupils when they start playing. Every human being is different and so is our body. I will be following you. Thanks mate!
Got my first kit recently (at 30 years old btw!) and I just used this video to prove to a friend of mine that I had it set up the way I needed it to be instead of the “right” way! Made me feel great because he’s been playing for a long time and had me questioning my whole set up until I watched this video! Thank you!
Glad to hear that Devin
56 yr old woman. Just bought a used set (my third) but trying to learn it properly this time instead of just jamming to basic beats and doing infill. Glad there isn't a correct way to set up, but have picked up on some pointers already. Many thanks x
Thank you so much for this. My husband got me a Mapex Venus set for our 9th anniversary, always wanted to play but never had a chance, and I set had set it up the way that was going to be comfortable for me but he told me I should probably look and see how it SHOULD be set up. So far everywhere I've looked has said the same thing, but not as well as you. And as soon as I saw you vid, first words out of my mouth, that's how I've got mine set up....just mirrored. Again, thank you. I'm actually a saxophonist, and so I'm used to tapping beat with my left foot. So my kit is 'kinda' left handed. I've got bass on left foot, hi-hat on right, and then my 3 toms set high to low going left to right. Ride cymbal between my HH and mid tom, and cow bell on it's own stand between hi and mid tom. 🙃
Oh, and almost forgot, LOVE the no rules. I've tried to tell people this that have picked up an instrument and then put it down because they 'dont know how to play it right.' Best explanation I've come up with is "You can draw right? Did you need someone to tell you where to put the pencil to draw a line from there to there? No? Then you dont need anyone telling you how to make music or learn an instrument. You'll know what's right and wrong for you. And if they dont like it, then it wasnt meant for them to hear. But the person it's for will."
Great and simple tips, I remember when I finally changed my setup to a really comfy 4-piece, it just felt so right that I couldn't believe how could I ever played on such a bulky set (my toms and snare were set up really high, in the fashion of the classic heavy metal bands of the 80s). An ergonomic set-up is the best set-up, you should never struggle while playing.
Just getting back behind the kit after 14 years. I broke my neck in 06 and lost my Pearl Studio as a result as well as a damn near full set of Sabian hand hammered. Just reinvested about 3 grand to get back behind it after all these years and I learned a few new things from you bud.
New drummers have it so nice with videos like this. I've been playing drums for 19 years and I wish I had your CZcams channel when I started. Took me forever to get my drums set up comfortably. I really like watching teaching videos (even the very beginner ones) because someone always has a little tip that I find useful
Totally agree. Wish I would have had a resource like you tube growing up
I just purchased a new kit with more shallow toms and a second floor tom which I'm not accustom to having. I've been going back and forth for a week trying to figure out how exactly I want to set things up. It is fun.... and frustrating. I'm changing my setup after decades of knowing exactly where everything went. I wanted to bring the kit in closer as I'm getting older and want to work less. I am also looking for a little different sound and want a change as I think it will be good for me. In any event, I hope I figure this out soon as I have a lot of stuff to setup after I get the basic location of my toms, snare and bass down. I'm excited to get rock'n on my new kit! As Mr. Taylor mentioned, there is no right or wrong way....... there is your way. Just make sure your comfortable when you play and think ahead as to where your cymbals and other accessories might fit in. The ride cymbal is typically a big decision as well....... low and close to the floor tom...... a bit higher and closer to your last rack tom........ or maybe you'll be like Lars and just can the entire idea of a ride cymbal!
My first kit and appreciate your words of wisdom. At the age of 63... what I feel separates you from most others, you keep to the point and do not SHOW BOAT. Nothing worse than an instructor showing off during a lesson. Thanks for being YOU...!
i've been drumming for roughly 10 years, just started playing live shows a couple years ago and still come back to your basics videos because i feel like i have more to learn all the time
Ok, this popped up five years after first showing. However, it popped up exactly when I needed that guidance. I’m now sat behind a kit that feels natural in its layout. I’m not stretching, twisting or leaning in an exaggerated way. My movements feel natural and flowing, my playing has taken a step forward. Thanks 🎉
After not playing for 25 years, I started jamming with some guys who had a cheap ass drum set that I've been playing. I just received my DW Set and can't wait to get it set up and play it. Thanks for the great advice
Rock on dude.
Welcome back to the fam!!!
@@StephenTaylorDrums I've been watching lots of your videos and they're very informative.
Thanks for your time and help.
I've always played goofy foot and open handed. But here recently I've been playing straight. Think I'm gonna set my new setup back the way I played when I was young.
Definitely a disadvantage to being right handed and left footed. At least no one else will be able to play my kit.
Lol
Thanks again.
Stephen ive been drumming for over 40 yrs and never really gave that much thought about the simple things like positioning so found your tips helpful. Rock on
I've been playing an electric kit for around a year and went to jam at a space that had an acoustic kit. I got there thinking, 'I've got this!'. That was until it dawned on me, while gazing at the kit, that I had NO IDEA HOW TO SET IT UP 😐
So thank you, Sir!
My Dad is a drummer and stopped by your channel and subscribed. Now that technology has gotten a bit better its a bit easier for musicians to share their styles and tips and tricks. He says Thank You.
THANK YOU!!! I am doing the SAME thing where I set my drums up like you see in magazines, old rock videos, etc. I NEVER thought about the whole "economy of motion" thing when it comes to drumming. You see some ppl playing with their arms flailing all over the place looking like Animal from "Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem". I was thinking about moving my kit from my "office" in my home down to my basement where there is more room and sound dampening (for the sake of my neighbors.....lol). Now I am DEFINITELY going to move them and try my best to set them up the "right" way with economy of motion in mind. Once again THANK YOU for stating what SHOULD be obvious!!!
Nice job explaining. I finally moved my kit to a good spot and I’m trying to figure out how to properly set it up.
My 12 year old daughter is starting with my dad’s Ludwig set from the 60s. I never knew quite how to set up. Thanks! Ergonomics make tons of sense.
Glad it helped!
Thanks for this video, Stephen. I’m a pro of 33 years and I am going to reevaluate my set up the tip about the snare drum being the center of your set up makes so much sense. I feel like I need the out of alignment, turning my upper body to the left to get to my snare, drum and causing imbalance and some pain in my left hip.
Thanks Stephen. My instructor goes over stuff like this all the time - like you, he's great and will dive into the ergonomics of playing. Thanks for the pedal placement tip. Placing them 1st and building the kit around them makes great sense. I was always setting the drums 1st and then making all these micro adjustments after me bum hits the throne. Thanks again and have a great day!
Son has been playing on electric drums and snare since he was five. He's 11 now and we bought him a drum kit for Christmas. This video really helped knowing how to set up the drums. Thanks
Aah what good advice! took me years and years to figure that out on my own.
i agree 100% with just go for what is most comfortable and ergonomic.
definately not mimic the sets that are in the brochure.. ha ha.
Changed one thing on my drum kit to make the snare the center and I was instantly more comfortable and better at playing. Thanks!
So glad it helped!
Am adjusting our Alesis Nitro e-kit for my 5 year old; your video is really helpful, thank you. He took one professional lesson prior to lock down and did cross sticks; now he's reverted to straight but, hey, he has a developing sense of rhythm and at his age, maybe that's all that matters??
Really helped me. I'm 55 and just decided to start playing the drums. I play several different instruments so I'm familiar with music. I'm excited to get started and will watch often. Thank you for making it easy.
I have discovered both for cardiovascular health and for comfort level that I really enjoy having a floor tom on each side of my hips (one to the left of the high hat and one to the right side of my right leg). I enjoy this more than having multiple toms over my bass drum. If I am using three toms, high tom goes over bass drum, midtom to my left, and low tom to my right. This allows for a more open handed tom fill. The cardiovascular benefit is doing tom fills to my left allows for healthy cardio exercise. It helps reduce hypertension.
I wish I'd seen something like this when I started playing the drums. I waisted so much time with some else's ideas of what was "right" or "wrong" when in reality I was the one playing my kit, not them. Great video!
Lol, me too. Spent so many hours stressing over this...and still do at times.
I just discovered your channel. Your presentation and perspective lowered my apprehension as I enter the “drum world”. I’m now feeling a bit more confident and comfortable. Great stuff!
Thank You!
As a pro drummer this video is still helpful. A good reminder to sometimes rebuild your kit. Put that snare in the middle and just start over and see what you come up with.
I never understood the modern trend of only using one rack Tom, but after trying it, I totally get it! It makes so much more room for my ride cymbal to sit comfortably and my playing has improved because of it
Thank you, Just got my hardware pack and symbols.Need to Learn.Picked up the Zildjian k custom dark 5 cymbal set up.Iron cobra 900 Tama. Real nice pearl stands.And a roc and soc chair.Waiting for the drums now.Can’t wait.I’ll definitely be watching your video’s.
Thanks for this, I've just set up an electric drum kit for my 9 y/o daughter, was unsure of heights and finer points of lay out. Very nice video!
When I sit down at my kit, my feet naturally have a bit of a V shape. So for me it feels right to have my kick kinda angled with my ride over the kick drum and two auxiliary crashes on the right, one above the ride and one above the floating floor tom. Hats are on my left with my main crash above and my snare is between my legs with my high and mid toms flat and in front of the snare, like a 🔻. I find that there is less movement needed for me to reach anything as it is all very close/tightly setup. I never had anyone show me that setup and a few people have said that its weird. But I've always preferred it setup differently, as it's much more comfortable. This video was great, even 3 years later haha.
Love this. Watched it two months ago when I first started, now watched it again-- just as useful advice.
Glad it helped!
Thanks for this I set my drums up 3 weeks ago based off pictures and threw out my back horribly. I’m going to set them up properly now. Danielle.
Hey there just starting out and I'm left handed. one of the biggest things I've questioned is how should I learn to play the drums left or right handed and how to set up my kit? I dont see many lefties on the CZcams videos and not shure what to do. I have asked a few others and they've said do what feels comfortable to me and like you've said there are no rules. I find that is one of the coolest things about playing the drums.. Love the videos trying to learn a lot and not get overwhelmed and over analyze wich I do a lot. Thx for any advice and very much appreciated. Also how to start the paradidle. L or R
I've finally found my "ultimate" set up, 4 piece kit, it just feels so natural to me, especially the way you can pull the ride in nice and snug between the rack and floor toms
I was here!!
Thanks Stephen, I took lessons of yours in your website and they helped me get better. And this video also helped for placing the drums correctly. I didn't play it comfortably till now, thanks to you.
You're more than welcome my friend!
Thanks for this Stephen. I just picked up my first kit at 45 and this has been the most valuable advice I’ve found on how to ensure I set it up to best fit me. Tip 3 in itself is invaluable.
Nice. I play sax and economy of motion is certainly the word. Ergonomics the way. I’m teaching my students drum set. They love it. I will refer them to this video.
Getting back into music thanks to the video game Rock Band. Always wanted to be a drummer. So today I bought a new electronic kit that I can practice on and not disturb the family. I really appreciate practical lessons like this. Thanks
Thanks. I needed that. I'm 69 years old, just picked up an old drum kit, and didn't know where to start.
Nicko McBrain just called and said your drums are WAAAy off.
I'm 68 and I've always wanted to learn drums. My son left his here when he moved out, so Im taking the opportunity to do it. Great First Lesson!
I too am 68 and just got my first drum kit from a dear friend’s estate. This video took the stress out of my setting it up in my house. Thx
Awesome video. Thanks man. I've played ( horribly ) for years. Glad I found you.
Thanks for lifting the burden of bad information. I was told I had to sit a certain and setup a certain way. Now I tried your natural setup and it actually makes it easier to progress with my skills .
Hi there,...I like your videos.... I am jumping back into drumming, but I never really had lessons. Ever...So this really helps. I have a background in production, so, I really appreciate your set up that I see...It's great!
My brother was a drummer and I inherited his kit. I’m 48 and introducing drums to my daughter who is 6.
I found your videos very helpful already
It's really great you're connecting with your daughter through the drums as well!
I appreciate giving us a top down view when it comes to placing your feet
Hey Stephan my eight year old son just got a drum set for his birthday. We've been between your channel, Rob Brown's and Drumeo. Looking forward to getting him up and running on your online lessons soon. Just moved in and are still without internet. Thanks again sir
set it up ergonomically. that's my advice. even tho drumsetups are subjective, but there are objective things.
Ergonomically???😂first time i see this word Thanks
@@brosolution but that's the thing.
I always wanted to play the drums. I am now 63 and just bought my first set. Thanks for all the tips.
I really liked your video. Drunsetup has been an ever-changing subject to me, when I started, influenced by metal drummers, whom I saw in Headbangers ball videos, I didn't think about what feels natural to me, because the famous drummers do it this way, so I have to as well, because it is right. Then I started to go to Musicians Institute in Hollywood and that totally changed my perspective. Many years later after music I still was changing my setup all the time, because I felt that everything I do is absolutely wrong. It got really bad, started to feel knee pain , because I was sitting way too low, then way too high, because I was constantly looking online how other drummers do it. Like you said - don't do it, setup how you feel the best. I have finally found my setup for now and it works and feels great for me. It took me more than 14 years to find it, bit I am glad I finally have done it
Finally after learning to read and play music on a trumpet, buying a bass that I could never summon the motivation to learn I finally at 53 have the instrument I have yearned for since I saw my first set at 5. I am doing my homework and this type of instruction is exactly what I am looking for.
So glad it’s what you’re looking for
As someone who works as a Fitness Coach most of my job is teaching people how to properly move their bodies and also to find the best way for them to perform the exercises, so the part at 5:08 - 5:17 really made me laugh a little bit.
Thanks btw. for these awesome videos. They really help to learn something from scratch.
I was a personal trainer for over 6 years. I feel ya!
I play traditional about 80% of the time so I actually have my rack pointed out and away a bit just like my snare while the floor points straight back like Weckl b/c that’s the direction of my rebound, drives people sitting in or even looking at my kit a little nuts, but for me it promotes a more efficient use of rebound.
Hey Stephen. Just dropping by to say that I (the drummer of Lame Genie) have been subscribed to you for a long long time and seeing how much your channel has progressed over the years is inspiring. Being a youtube band ourselves, with little to no activity on our videos, seeing your channel grow over the years gives us a glimmer of hope! Sick work!
I bought my first drum set and just set it up the way I thought it should go so I could play. After watching this video I made a few changes and like the way it is set up so much better.
I just got an imperialstar 6 piece and played on it for like a week before I realized the racks were mounted upside down. I'm just sitting there thinking, dang these Tom's are high as hell. Good info for me in this video!
my setup was the standard 5pc kit, but after feeling that the 13" tom was in the wrong place for me, i moved my set up to a 1 up two down, finding another 16" floor tom and taking it to a 18" floor, and doing away with the 12" till a later date that i can get a double tom stand, for a two up two down.. Now this is a kit i use at home. my other kit i have a three up two down, that i will be changing the location of the toms here soon.. this setup i use in the practice room for the band, still does not feel right for me. so later i will adding 2 double tom stand as well as a 13" tom with another moving the 8,10 tom more to the right, and leaving the 12,13 toms right in the center of the kit, leaving open room above the bass drum for my ride and running a double pedal. leaving the 14, and 16 floors as they are .. , then from there ordering another kit in double bass with the same set up as the band room kit and going to a rack type set up with the kit i will be playing out on and running two bass drum pedals instead of the band room kit set up of a double pedal... with a rack it cleans up the floor space as well as putting everything in one place and always having it in the same location as well as the same height all the time everytime ..
I've been playing for about 12 years now and still have small niggles with my set up. Never had it 100% comfortable but never in odd, weird, pain creating angles and placements. It's a game of mm at this point. The Gibraltar stealth racks have helped my set up. Now stands aren't fighting for space and messing with placement. Anyway congrats on the 100K very well deserved.
Thank you, this video so helpful. Getting first set for Christmas..you answered so many questions for me.
Just got my first kit at 46. Always wanted to learn to play but never got round to it. Slightly restricted on placement as it’s an ekit, but it’s getting there. Your videos are fantastic. Easy to follow and full of useful advice. Many thanks.
Very helpful introduction to drum kit set up. I am beginning to start setting up my drum kit properly.
Kickass video! Thanks! Just getting my 9 year old son banging on the drums! Was so helpful!
As a guitarist that plays drums on the side, this video helped me a lot. Seems like it should be obvious but only because you explain it so well. Cheers mate!
I have my snare tilted a bit towards me, because I don't want to hit a rimshot. It hella hurts my hand, but I understand and respect the ones who choose to have it perfectly flat! Great video, I've been playing for about a year now, and I'm still trying to figure out my perfect set up.
Thanks I am going to reevaluate my setup and probably make some adjustments
You bet Keith
The pedal was very useful for me, so thank you. Surprised it never occurred to me to ask.
I agree with Stephen, also I was just like you in the beginning, no one ever told me any of this I just set up how I seen others do it so I just started adjusting to what I thought was comfortable and still struggle some depending on the situation if where I'm setting up if there was enough room to set them up accordingly, thanks for this!
Very helpful. Thank you. Setting up my first kit this week at 49 years old. Lol
I've just purchased a Roland SPD-SX (it hasn't arrived yet) so my set up is gonna have to change considerably. I'm right handed and set up accordingly. I’m only short (6’6”) and I sit quite high. I change my set up regularly from one up-one down; one up-two down; two up-one down depending on where or what style I'm playing. Ergonomically, I like one up-one down but since most of my drumming is popular covers I need the versatility of that second rack tom (whether it’s mounted up or down). I currently have a tambourine and cowbell mounted off the first crash so they sit right in between my hats and 1st tom. My SPD-SX will replace those items but I’m not sure whether I'm gonna put my SPD-SX there or to the left of my hats. I have a Tama Superstar Hyperdrive which are known for their shallow toms but it’s an early model (circa 2009) and the kick is so big (technically it's 22" diameter but overall it's 24") that when I have both rack toms in the up position, I still struggle to have my toms flat enough, low enough and close enough together. I’m looking forward to experimenting with my new addition.
THE ART OF PRACTICE??? Stephen you blow my brain whit the shirt logo...i have never noticed it...graet vid like always...
Im in Guadalajara btw you should send me a shirt 😂
I really appreciate your setup cuz your cymbals are kinda low and I have mine low but I see so many people with their cymbals really high up I feel like I’m just doing it wrong
60 y/o here.. been playing bongo and conga over 45 years... haven't played anything in 12 yrs. Been wanting a kit for the longest. The one I will be getting is the PDP Concept Classic Maple (22 kick). Gonna be a while because I just got the congas you see in my account.. $$$$...$ So I gotta wait. Your teaching style, as far as I can see on these YT vids, is excellent. In the meantime - I want to develop skills. What do you recommend I work on, in the meantime? I eventually want to join your online course. My timbales range from 9 1/4 / 10 1/4, to 14/15.
You’re the only other 1 up 2 down guy I see out there. I find that 1 up 2 down is the best way to play.
For me personally you are very informative, as well as helpful! As someone trying to learn something new, it is very much appreciated! thank you, for all that you do!
Males my day to hear it! You're more than welcome
I didn't know 'open handed' was a thing. I'm self taught and started playing like that with left hand/foot set up. Now I know I'm open handed not just odd 👍
Thanks man. Learning about setting up with the snare in the center makes sense. I just bought my first kit and I am a tall guy and have been having ergonomic issues.
Great Stuff! Plus 1 for ergonomics and efficiency of motion. I got really bad tennis elbow a few years back. Reworking my setup and practicing better technique fixed the problem.
Listen to Stephen and listen to your body!
Peace
A friend just gave me a complete Pearl Export Series kit. I'm a guitarist new to drums and this really helped man!
A pic from the top looking down would be helpful.
Great vid. Thanks.
ive been playing for a long time, and i still have not found the perfact set up for me. thanks for the help.
I have to say i am still looking for that best position for me but i did follow these tips and i have been improving/feeling better while playing. Just came back here to tell you!! You rock dewd!
Great advice, taken me whole of first year of playing to get this. Inherited a vintage kit with large drum sizes - but when I played a smaller kit (I’m 5’ 4”, wow what a difference! That did feel way more comfortable and natural, everything within reach. For now have taken a second 14” tom off and better already with a lower ride.... but would have been great to have had that knowledge or confidence to do this sooner. New kit not too far away ;)
Damn! Watched this and realised I needed to take a step back and look at my playing style, I seem to get pain in my wrist and hands when I play, mainly just hitting the hats and snare. Turns out certain parts of my kit were too far away and I’ve altered this and I haven’t had pain since I changed, really appreciate this video!
Excellent super useful info. Thanks! I'm an old fart life long guitarist learning to play drums for first time. Having a blast.
Glad it helped my friend
I’m always learning new things from your videos. Thanks.