GregL, Rami, or any other drummers.

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BushmasterM4

BushmasterM4

Well-known member
Ok I know its more of a taiste thing, but I need general info on setting proper heights. I need input on throne height and snare height. My son (in the Navy now) had the kit set to his taiste. He like the toms angled and the snare angled too. And the front angle of the snare is a few inches below his knees. Here are several old pictures. Now I find this uncomfortable and sort of ackward. I have googled proper set up and most say to adjust the throne so your legs make a 90 degree angle and that the snare is flat and flush or a few inches above your thighs. The search also shows most prefer the toms to be low and only a slight angle. I guess I should just move them and see, but having input from members who can play the drums would help. I figure through trial and error you guys know whats best.

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So just to be clear - you're wanting to readjust the kit for your own use, correct?

I agree with the statement that you should "adjust the throne so your legs make a 90 degree angle." This will give you comfort and your legs and feet good angles to work the kick pedal and hi-hat.

As for the idea that "the snare is flat and flush or a few inches above your thighs," I find that this varies with taste. Personally, I have my snare almost flush with my thighs, but tilted slightly towards me. This allows me to use rim shots when I want without forcing me to when I don't want.

The toms probably shouldn't be quite as tilted as they are in the photo you posted, but again this is often a matter of taste. Striking the drum at an exaggerated angle can produced undesired tones.

I suggest you experiment. I think you'll know when you've found those sweet spots.

My two cents.
 
i'm pretty much in agreement with madaudio. my snare is ever-so-slightly angled towards me, and it is also ever-so-slightly above flush w/ my thighs. it's perfect for both normal playing and rimshots, as maud pointed out.

i used to have my toms angled like you have them now, but i've gradually flattened them over the years, and found that reducing the severity of that angle is more ergonomic, and gives me more even/punchier hits. i've never liked playing on totally flat toms though. i've tried it, b/c i really enjoy watching mike bordin (faith no more) play, and that's how he set up, and he's very high-energy. but it just doesn't work for me.

i also like my cymbals much flatter than you have yours, but all of this stuff is a matter of taste--i'm throwing it out there per your request. :)
 
I completely ignore all rules-of-thumb and advice from anyone. As I learned over the years, I constantly tweaked the height and angle of things to suit my comfort and my abilities. If I frequently missed a certain piece, I would move its position until I corrected the problem. My favorite setup and playing style developed based entirely on the comfort of those positions.

No one can tell you what feels comfortable for you except you. You just have to try lots of different ways until you find what suits you best.

PS. I feel so left-out because my name was not mentioned in the title. :( I need some love over here before I cry.
 
RawDepth said:
I completely ignore all rules-of-thumb and advice from anyone. As I learned over the years, I constantly tweaked the height and angle of things to suit my comfort and my abilities.
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That's where I'm at. Whatever works for you. For example, I sit higher than at a 90 degree angle for my legs. I find that way too low. My hips are higher than my knees. But that's just me. I've seen drummers sitting with their knees higher than their hips, and I guess that worked for them.
 
Yeah just do whatever is comfortable. Forget all the set up rules. No, you don't want your toms and cymbals in all kinds of crazy angles, but don't be a victim of set-up "rules". Do whatever you want. I sit with my hips just slightly higher than my knees. My snare batter head is slightly higher than my knees and very slightly angled towards me. My rack toms are as low as they'll go without hitting the kick and angled towards me. They might be 30 degrees from parallel with the floor. The floor toms are the same height as the snare and almost flat. The cymbals are pretty low and flat.

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But none of that matters. Do what fits the style of music you're playing. Speed metal guys play almost standing up. Nicko McBrain's toms and cymbals are huge and stacked and angled all over the place. It just depends.

About the only thing I'll say definitively about your kit is to try to keep the crash cymbals pretty flat and about eye level while seated. This is easy on the wrists and you can get the most out of the cymbal without having to beat it to death. You can drop and flatten those toms some too.
 
RawDepth said:
I completely ignore all rules-of-thumb and advice from anyone. As I learned over the years, I constantly tweaked the height and angle of things to suit my comfort and my abilities. If I frequently missed a certain piece, I would move its position until I corrected the problem. My favorite setup and playing style developed based entirely on the comfort of those positions.

No one can tell you what feels comfortable for you except you. You just have to try lots of different ways until you find what suits you best.

PS. I feel so left-out because my name was not mentioned in the title. :( I need some love over here before I cry.
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Sorry Raw :) Your included too. Thanks for the input. I find with the current layout,angles and heights. That I have a hard time with rolls, well I mean multiple hits, I can do a wipe out type hits all day long with my hands on a table. But give me sticks and a snare and I cant do shit. So Im thinking, a table is flat, so I might as well try that. I need to experiment like you guys said. Another thing, kick pedal, heal up or down, I naturally find myself with my heal up. But if heal down is proper then should I force myself to keep it planted. Or use whatever feels best. Maybe Im approaching this too much like golf. You can have a weird grip and stance and swing and play well. But with proper technique and practice you can do better.
 
Use whatever feels best. I don't think I ever put my heal on the pedal.
 
Drum setup

From an old school guy...

I tilt my snare slightly away from me to facilitate rim shots, i.e. the edge closest to me is about a half-inch higher than the far edge.

I have a particular lick that involves a tom hit into a roll on the snare, and I adjust my toms to allow this without hitting the rims.

I play my bass heel-up as it allows me to use the weight of my leg for additional power.
 
As most have already indicated, there is not real right or wrong set-up.

As a drummer for about 40 years, my set-up has changed a few times as I changed from traditional grip to matched grip and then to a combination of both grips (depending on the song).

Whatever facilites your personal technique and allows you to play for an extended period of time without discomfort.

In general, I do think it is best to have the throne set so the legs are at a 90 degree angle (which helps facility bot hell up and heel down technique)...............and having all the drums/cymbals close enough so you can hit everything without too much reaching (economy of motion) - both of these things can prevent body fatique
 
Yeah, for me, economy of motion is a big deal. I keep everything in tight and within easy reach.
 
Greg_L said:
Yeah, for me, economy of motion is a big deal. I keep everything in tight and within easy reach.
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So, what you're saying is that compact drum sets are more economical than full sized? Hmm, maybe I should trade in my old manual clunker for a subcompact. :D
 
BushmasterM4 said:
Ok I know its more of a taiste thing, but I need general info on setting proper heights. I need input on throne height and snare height. My son (in the Navy now) had the kit set to his taiste. He like the toms angled and the snare angled too. And the front angle of the snare is a few inches below his knees. Here are several old pictures. Now I find this uncomfortable and sort of ackward. I have googled proper set up and most say to adjust the throne so your legs make a 90 degree angle and that the snare is flat and flush or a few inches above your thighs. The search also shows most prefer the toms to be low and only a slight angle. I guess I should just move them and see, but having input from members who can play the drums would help. I figure through trial and error you guys know whats best.

074-1.jpg

DCP_2337.jpg
Click to expand...

From looking at the bottom picture, I can tell you that your snare is too low and you're having to play too deep into it. Move it up until it's just below the level of your navel.

Also, work on your stick grip. You've got a death-grip on those damn things - you're going to hurt yourself.
 
Supercreep said:
From looking at the bottom picture, I can tell you that your snare is too low and you're having to play too deep into it. Move it up until it's just below the level of your navel.

Also, work on your stick grip. You've got a death-grip on those damn things - you're going to hurt yourself.
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Thats my son in the pictures :) He always plays so damn hard and agressive. He is in the Navy now and stationed in Virginia. He has gotten hooked up with two different bands and on weekends they have been jamming alot. One band is a punk/ska band ? And the other is a thrash metal band. Dont know what he will do when he goes out to sea for 7 months. But I havent moved the drums since the picture, so thats the layout. Im gonna go out hopefully, tomorrow and change them up.
 
Is that cardboard underneath those drums? Most of us use some sort of carpet. It helps keep stands and things from slowly creeping or sliding away from you while you play.

During live shows, my band mates (or the occasional crazed fan) would sometimes spill a beer on my drum rug. It got ugly after a few years.

I finally wised up and got myself one of those large office door mats with the soft rubber backing and border. The carpet fibers are molded right into the rubber so the mud, snow, and water won't hurt them. In fact I can hose it off and hang it up to dry. I think it is about 4x6 or 5x7 ft.

It works like a champ and is almost indestructible.
 
Supercreep said:
Also, work on your stick grip. You've got a death-grip on those damn things - you're going to hurt yourself.
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:eek: no kidding. is he actually playing here, or is this a pose? does he use his wrists at all or is it it "all in the forearm?"

it seems hard to believe that anyone could play accurately at all holding sticks like savages pounding their forks impatiently on the table. :D
 
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