How to Put Together a Drum Kit

An assembled, standard 5-piece drum kit.

The exact process of assembling a drum kit can vary, depending on the type of drum set you are working with. However, most kits are put together using a common method. Assuming all of the parts are included in your package, the following steps will help you put your kit together correctly using the setup required for a basic five-piece set. Read more to start laying down some beats as quickly as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Drums
• Hardware
• Drum heads
• Tuning key

Instructions

1. 

   Assemble drum heads.
   Locate your drum heads, hoops and tension rods. Starting with your bass drum, place your outside head (resonator) over the opening. Set the hoop over the head to hold it in place. Hook tension rods on the hoop and screw them into their proper lugs, which are located on the shell. Tighten each rod with your fingers (see image). Use a tuning key to tighten each tension rod to the desired sound. Repeat this step for each drum in your kit.

2. 

   Assemble bass drum legs.
   Locate your bass drum legs and insert them into the brackets mounted on each side of your drum (see image). The legs will allow your bass drum to lie securely on the floor as you strike it with your foot pedal beater.

3. 

   Attach your bass pedal.
   Clip the bass drum pedal to the center of your bass drum hoop (see image). Tighten the pedal securely so it sits flat on the floor. Give your pedal a few tests so the beater strikes the bass drum. Make sure the beater strikes flush against the drum head. Adjust accordingly.

4. 

   Attach tom-toms.
   Find your tom-tom mounting rack located on the bass drum, if one has been installed. Locate the tom mounting arms and insert them into the holes (see your product guide, because some mounts are different). Insert the exposed ends of the tom arms into the corresponding holes on the mounting hardware, which is located on the toms. Adjust to your specification (see image).

5. 

   Install floor tom legs.
   Most floor toms (bass toms) are supported with three legs and sit on the floor next to the bass drum. Locate your floor legs. Turn the floor tom upside down and insert the legs into the brackets with the feet facing upward. Turn the drum over and set it on the floor (see image). Adjust legs accordingly.

6. 

   Assemble your snare drum and stand.
   Open your snare drum stand and place the snare in the top rack. Then tighten the rack around the rim so it securely holds the drum in place. Make sure the base of your stand is spread properly so it doesn't rock when the drum is struck.

7. Set up cymbal stands.
   According to your product guide, open your hi-hat and other cymbal stands. Make sure all wing-nuts are secure. Add cymbals and secure them with the included felts and lug nuts.

8. 

   Arrange your kit.
   Placing your bass drum containing your toms and pedal in your desired location, set your snare stand immediately to the left of your bass drum pedal. Place your hi-hat to the left of your snare stand. If you have two cymbal stands, place one behind your snare drum and the other to the right of second rack tom. Place your floor tom immediately to the right of your bass drum pedal (see image). If you're a left-handed player, invert this process, placing your snare to the right of your bass pedal and the rest of the drums in the opposite positions noted.

9. Adjust your drums.
   Depending on your height and comfort, adjust stands and drums so you are able to comfortably reach each piece. Properly adjust your throne (stool), grab some sticks and start making some noise!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure all hardware is included with your kit. If anything listed in your guide is missing, contact your dealer. Always follow instructions included with your kit.

• Make sure nuts, bolts and tension rods are properly tightened before playing. Improperly-installed components could impede playing and damage your kit.