Guide to setting up a drum kit
Reading drummer Mic Harrison teaches us the one, two, three of setting up a drum kit...
1. Start with the stool!
The most important thing to get right is the stool height. One this is set the rest of the kit can be adjusted from there.
Stand next to your stool. The top of the stool should come to about halfway up your knee.
Once you have done this, sit on your drum stool. Position your feet flat on the floor, shoulder's width apart, and an equal distance away from your body. This sitting posture should be solid and comfortable.
Now put the pedals where your feet are. When you sit on the stool your knees should be bent at an angle of just over 90 degrees. This means your hips should be slightly higher then knees.
Don't have the stool set too low. If your knees are higher than your hips you will tend to slouch and it can cause strain on the hips and upper legs.
2. Now we’re sitting comfortably!
Adjust the snare stand to the correct height. The top of the snare should be level with your belt buckle. This means when you hold the stick in your hand on the drum head your elbow will have a 90 degree angle. This is the optimum point to hit the drum.
The snare should have a slight tilt to enable you to contact the skin easier.
If the drum is too high it can cause your elbows to be raised uncomfortably, which leads to poor technique. Too low and you will hit your legs, very painful!
3. For the rest of the kit
The floor tom should be slightly lower than the snare and you might want to angle the floor tom so it slopes towards you slightly.
The rack toms should be adjusted to a suitable angle and position to be in easy reach without having to stretch or lean forwards.
Cymbals should be above the kit so that to play them you move your arms upwards, not forwards. Just like the idea you applied to the position of the toms, you shouldn't need to lean or lose your balance on the drum stool when you play the cymbals.
Mic Harrison is an experienced drummer and teacher offering private drum lessons in Reading, Berkshire.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reading/Mic-Harrison-Drum-Tuition/138991169450626
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