GregL, Rami, or any other drummers.

  • Thread starter Thread starter BushmasterM4
  • Start date Start date
I got the snare adjusted almost flat and about an inch above my knees. So much better. I moved the toms as flat as I could, I could only go so far, as the toms are pretty deep. They are still tilted quite a bit, but its alot better. And the throne height has my thighs at a 90 degree angle. Its alot easier to play. Now if I could only keep a steady beat.
 
BushmasterM4 said:
I got the snare adjusted almost flat and about an inch above my knees. So much better. I moved the toms as flat as I could, I could only go so far, as the toms are pretty deep. They are still tilted quite a bit, but its alot better. And the throne height has my thighs at a 90 degree angle. Its alot easier to play. Now if I could only keep a steady beat.
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Don't worry so much about everything being flat. Just make everything comfy and easy to reach.
 
I keep mine a bit different...... very "old school"

Since I primarily play traditional grip. I keep my snare slightly tilted (away from me a little bit) so that the close edge is just under the line of my waist. I play a 20" kick and all of my toms are cut shallow and just slightly tilted towards me so that they aren't up too high and it makes getting around the kit smoother and I don't need to make large movements for cross-hand patterns. I don't keep my cymbals up over my head (the highest ones are at just under eye level) and my rides are at just over the level of my waiste. The whole purpose of this closeness is for ease of navigation. It doesn't look as dramatic on stage, but I don't care, it feels more natural to me and allows me to think and respond more intuitively. I also play a larger kit than most jazz and blues drummers (8", 10", 12" rack toms 14", 16" floor toms, a 20" kick and a 14" snare. 15" high hats, 22" sizzle ride to my left, a 17" crash, 14" crash, 18" crash, 24" dry ride and a 13" salsa splash and on occasion, a 20" China and an 8" splash) I play the kick heel down but I keep my throne as high as I can to do this comfortably.
That's what works for me, it may or may not work for you.
 
Playing drums for 40 years, and have mine set perfectly flat, just above the level of my thighs. I see most young drummers today have their snare set at an extreme angle. I'm not sure why that is, or where they are learning that. There is no way to get any power that way, and forget the beautiful sound that happens when you combine striking the rim and snare head simultaneously on each stroke. For that matter, I angle all of my toms such that they too are nearly flat relative to the position of my hands as they move around the kit, leaving just enough angle that I am not clipping the rims here (but could easily if i wanted to) (this means angled such that I feel that I can transfer maximum energy, not a glancing blow). This is ideal for generating maximum power and control (for when you do not want maximum power). Drums simply sound their best when played with authority (doesn't mean the same as "loud").
 
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