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A guideline to the drumset beginner students. In this blog, you will learn how to set up a drum set (acoustic and electric) before starting your first drum lessons.
1. Identify the three main parts of your drum kit
Drums. Most drum sets typically include the bass (or kick) drum, the snare drum and toms.
Hardware. Common drum hardware includes the bass drum pedal, the throne, and the hi-hat and cymbal stands.
Cymbals. Different types of cymbals include the crash, the ride and the hi-hats.
2. SET UP YOUR BASS DRUM
Place your bass or kick drum so that it’s at the center of your drum kit. Note that your bass drum has adjustable legs. These are used to anchor your bass drum to the floor so it doesn’t move around as you play.
3. ADJUST YOUR BASS DRUM PEDAL
Pay special attention to the bass pedal when setting up your drum set for the first time. You can find the bass drum pedal attached to the hoop of your bass drum. As you step on the pedal, the beater should strike the bass drum head in the middle of your drum and then bounce back.
3. PLACE YOUR SNARE DRUM
As you arrange your drum kit, you will need to adjust the height of your snare drum. The height of your snare drum should be set a few inches above your leg and set so you can easily hit the drum with either of your hands without hitting the rim of your drum.
Set up your drum so your snare throw-off, the lever that engages the snare, is on the left-hand side of your drum. Most drummers set up their snares flat, although traditional players sometimes set their drums so that it slightly tilts down and away.
4. SET UP YOUR TOMS
Most drum sets have two types of toms: floor toms and mounted toms. Your floor toms should be set so it is roughly the same height as your snare drum, while your mounted tom (or toms) should be set up at a slight angle towards you.
The arrangement of your toms can be changed to make it easier to play. For drum arrangements with more than one mounted tom, you can place your toms so they are a few inches apart and sit at equal angles.
5. PLACE YOUR DRUM THRONE
The drum throne is where you will sit as you play. For increased playability, place your drum throne in a spot where you can reach all drum set components. This will allow you to play with the least effort and help you prevent injury.
6. SET UP YOUR HI-HAT
When sitting at your drum set, the positioning of your hi-hat should be just to the left of your snare. You attach hi-hat cymbals to the rod of your stand using a clutch that secures the top cymbal to the rod. This allows you to open and close the hi-hats. Make sure that the pedal for your hi-hat is in a position where your foot can comfortably reach it.
It’s important that your hi-hat cymbals sit higher than your snare. Setting your hi-hats to the same height as your snare, or lower, might make it harder to hit.
7. ARRANGE YOUR CRASH AND RIDE CYMBALS
Typically, most drummers use one or two crash cymbals and one ride cymbal. Your ride cymbal should be set up to your right, usually just over the floor tom.
If you’re using one crash cymbal, set it up to the left of your kit somewhere between your snare drum and your mounted tom.
Once you complete those seven steps, your drumset is all set!
