The perfect arrangement of the elements of a drum is one that allows you to play comfortably and naturally. It is therefore a completely personal choice. That said, most drums come with a standard, balanced setup that seems to fit well with most players. Keep reading the article to find out more!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Gather all the battery elements
In addition to the drums and cymbals, you need to be sure you also have an important instrument, said key. This is a tool that allows you to tighten and loosen some of the smallest drum nuts and is essential for taking apart the drums (when, for example, you need to change the skin). If you have a standard battery, you will probably have almost all or at least most of the following:
- Snare drum
- Bass drum with relative pedal
- Hi-hat with relative pedal
- Crash plate
- Cymbal laughs
- Tom-tom and / or eardrum
- Footstool
Step 2. Find a suitable area to mount the battery
There must be enough space to arrange all the elements without them being stacked together. When playing, you need to be able to perform smooth and natural movements. If each piece is too close to the others, you may have difficulty and badly affect the sound (as often happens when a cymbal hits an adjacent drum).
Although each battery can differ in the number of elements, which will obviously take up more space, a good rule of thumb is to dedicate the space you occupy to the instrument when you lie down on the ground with your arms and legs spread. In this position, you don't have to touch the walls
Step 3. Take advantage of some maintenance on the elements from time to time
Before starting to assemble the battery you should inspect each piece for any possible problem. If you notice something wrong, you have to fix it immediately, because taking apart all the battery down to the smallest parts for maintenance is really a hassle. Below is a short list of the most common problems you should pay attention to:
- Damaged skins.
- Drum pedals that squeak.
- Worn rubber feet.
- Accumulation of dust and dirt due to normal use.
Part 2 of 3: Assemble and Arrange the Elements
Step 1. Put the bass drum in the center
This is the first element you need to place and is the one around which the rest of the instrument develops. The bass drum must be on the ground, in a vertical position so that the outer skin (the one that usually bears the logo or the name of the band) is facing the audience.
Step 2. Assemble the bass drum stands
Take the two metal sticks that are attached to this drum and insert them into the two pre-drilled holes on the sides of the bass drum. Tighten the brackets by turning the nuts. Make sure that both supports are flat on the ground and that they are tilted slightly forward to balance the pressure you will exert with the pedal. Some bass drum models come with pre-assembled legs that you need to loosen, spread out towards the floor, and then tighten again.
Remember that some bass drum legs have metal spikes at the ends while others have rubber "feet". If your floor is carpeted you can use these solutions indifferently, but if you have parquet, the metal spikes could ruin it
Step 3. Install the kick pedal
It is usually attached to the lower edge of the bass drum itself with a self-screwing "bracket". Insert the bottom edge of the pedal under that of the kick drum, in the center, and tighten the bracket by turning the screw. The pedal should attach like a "clamp" to the edge of the drum and stay in place.
There are other types of bass drum pedals (such as double ones) that require more complex assembly procedures. Trust the instructions that are included in the package of the specific pedal
Step 4. Place the stool behind the bass drum and adjust it for height
Use the lever or nut located under the seat to raise or lower it. Try different heights by hitting the kick pedal each time, find the most comfortable and easiest position for you. Most drummers play with their knees bent at 90 degrees.
However you can choose various options; any stool height that allows you to play smoothly and without pushing the kick pedal forward is fine
Step 5. Mount the snare drum on its stand
This drum is usually placed on a rather short shaft which has three horizontal and adjustable arms which have the function of keeping it stationary. Usually the ends of these arms are rubber coated to prevent the drum from slipping as you play it. The snare stand itself is simple to assemble - simply spread the lower legs apart so that the frame stands upright, use the mechanism at the top to lift and adjust the angle of the arms.
The snare drum should securely attach itself to the arms that are arranged more or less horizontally, but know that you can change the angle according to your needs. For example, Daru Jones, a drummer who has played with many major artists, plays his drums in an unconventional arrangement, with some drums tilted towards the floor
Step 6. Adjust the snare to your desired height
Loosen the main nut of its rod to adjust the height to your needs by lengthening or shortening the central telescopic rod. The snare drum must be at a level that you can play it without hitting your legs. Usually it is placed above the level of the drummer's knees.
For a rock style, the snare drum should be in front of you, slightly to the left of the kick pedal so that you can hit it with your nearly flat left stick (if you have a right-handed disposition). This allows you to produce good sound and take rimshots
Step 7. Mount the tom-toms over the kick drum
Most tom-toms come with metal brackets similar to the ones you used for the kick drum. There are usually two separate holes above the kick drum, one for each tom-tom shaft. Sometimes there may be only one hole and in that case you need to mount the drums on a single central structure. Remember that the exact way in which the tom-toms are attached varies according to the brand of drums, so check and follow the instructions that come with your elements to the letter.
The exact location of the tom-toms is a personal choice only. However, you need to make sure they are close enough and tilted enough to allow you to quickly switch between them when you are seated (which means that the skins must be tilted slightly towards you and also inwards, between them)
Step 8. Secure the eardrum to its support structure and position it correctly
Most gables have thin metal "legs" ending in rubber feet; these legs have a fold in half of their length so that the feet are in line with the edge of the drum. Loosen the nuts on one side of the gable and insert the legs, with the foot down. Tighten the nuts so that the drum is slightly above the feet and firmly placed. Sit on the stool and hit the eardrum to make sure you don't have to get up to play it.
Typically, considering a right-handed drum configuration, the eardrum is placed in front of and slightly to the right of the kick drum in order to be effortlessly played with the right stick
Step 9. Adjust the height of the floor tom to be the same or very similar to that of the snare drum
You need to be able to hit him without too much effort, so adjust his legs until he is level with the snare drum.
As already repeated several times, if a different position allows you to play more fluidly, use it
Part 3 of 3: Add the Dishes
Step 1. Open the hi-hat holder and secure the bottom cymbal
The rod for this cymbal is straight, medium height with a pedal on the bottom and a three foot support system. Spread out the perch to ensure good support. Then insert the bottom plate so that the concave part is facing up. For this operation, usually, it is necessary to insert the rod into the hole of the plate from the pointed and narrow part. The platter should automatically snap into place, it doesn't have to screw into anything.
If you have difficulty distinguishing the lower plate from the upper one, know that the upper one generally has the manufacturer's name engraved while the lower one does not. Often the two plates are identical, so you don't have to worry
Step 2. Mount the top plate
Unscrew the nut on the hi-hat mechanism, the one that holds the top cymbal on top of the shaft. Insert the plate between the two felt pads of the mechanism. Screw the nut back on the bottom and put the mechanism on the rod. Test the hi-hat by operating the mechanism with the pedal and at the same time hitting it. It should make a sound like a "click" when the pedal is pressed and a hiss like a "hiss" when the pedal is released.
The hi-hat is usually placed to the left of the snare so that it can be hit with the right stick (in a "crisscross" motion as the left stick hits the snare). The pedal is operated by the left foot
Step 3. Install the ride cymbal on its shaft
This usually comes with its own support, which is curved at the base and has three support legs. The top of the shaft can be tilted. Widen the support perch of the rod, unscrew the nut that you find in the upper part and insert the ride between the two felt pads. Screw the nut back on, without exaggerating, to allow the plate to "wobble" when hit hard. Finally, close the nut to adjust the height of the plate to a level that is comfortable for you.
The ride is placed to the right of the drums, above and behind the floor tom and bass drum. In practice, the cymbal is suspended above the eardrum without interfering
Step 4. Assemble the crash cymbal and all other additional cymbals
Most standard configurations expect at least one crash. The shaft for this cymbal could have an adjustable arm just like the ride one, or one that simply moves up and down. Regardless of this, though, the crash mounts pretty much like the ride. Remember not to tighten the nut too hard, it is important that the plates move freely.
The crash usually goes on the left side of the drums, above and behind the kick drum and hi-hat. The additional cymbals are placed on the sides and behind the bass drum
Step 5. Test the arrangement of the elements
Assuming you don't have any other accessories to fit, your drum kit should be complete and you should be able to play correctly. Make sure you can reach all the elements without difficulty.
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Some drummers prefer a custom layout and optional accessories. Here are some options you can consider:
- Double bass drum pedal
- Cowbells and jam block
- Additional tom-toms (often tuned for a specific note)
- Bells, bells and other additional percussion instruments
Step 6. Use your creativity
Being a good drummer requires finding your own style. All the greats play their own style and have their kits arranged differently. Always experiment with what you have available to achieve the sounds and style that inspire you.
Advice
- Tilt the toms slightly towards you, making it easier to quickly switch between snare drums and toms as you play.
- There is no right and wrong way to mount the battery. Make sure the configuration you have chosen is comfortable for you.
- Always use felt washers and plastic rings on the rods to avoid contact between the plates and the metal of the rod.
- Remember: each drummer positions the various elements according to their preferences, so choose the configuration that you find most comfortable.
- Loosen the nuts before adjusting the various components of the battery to avoid damaging and scratching the battery.
- Arrange the tom-toms close together, so you can easily make quick rolls.
Warnings
- The battery is a noisy tool. Make sure you have adequate ear protection, otherwise you risk hearing damage.
- Get some mutes to muffle the sound of the drums so you don't bother the neighbors or people you live with.
- If you have a wooden acoustic drum set, do not leave it in a too humid environment, as the shells could be damaged. Also avoid cleaning them with water.
