How to Set Up a 5 Piece Drum Set

An essential part of most music is the drum beat. A five-piece trap set can include a snare drum, the floor tom, a set of tom toms, and bass drum. The crash cymbals and hi-hat cymbals will be part of the set; however, these are not considered drums. A drum kit purchased from a local store is preassembled, but if you order online you must assemble the set yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Drums
• Drum key

Instructions

Assemble the Toms

1. Fit the drum head inside the rim. Place the drum on a table with the logo facing right-side up.

2. Set the rim onto the drum shell. Line the holes on the rim with the lugs on the shell. Insert the tension rods into the washer, the rim, and into the lugs.

3. Tighten the tension rods by hand around the drum shell. Keep the rim even.

4. Place the palm of your hand in the center of the drumhead to stretch the head. Keep the head even on the drum shell and turn the drum key to tune the drum.

5. Repeat these steps on the bottom of each of the three toms.

Assembling the Bass

1. Seat the drum head evenly on the end opposite the leg mounts. Place the hoop over the drum head and drum shell to keep the head in position.

2. Insert the tension rod through the washer and claw hooks and line it up with the lug on the drum shell. Tighten the tension rod by hand.

3. Press your palm in the center of the white batter drum head. Tune by turning the drum key.

4. Install the legs into the leg mounts and secure them in position by hand.

5. Set the drum head with the logo at the other end of the drum shell and position it with the hoop, tension rods, washers, and claw hooks, then tighten and tune.

6. Slide the drum pedal under the hoop of the bass drum with the clamp over the hoop. Tighten it until the clamp is securely fastened.

7. Mount the toms. Set the long tube into the tom mount on the bass drum and tighten the screw. Adjust the angle and secure the locks.

8. Set up the snare drum by installing the three grip arms onto the stand. Snap the snare drum into position.

Set Up the Cymbals

1. Squeeze the two metal prongs in the pedal of the base of the hi-hat. Slide the ends into the holes of the cymbal stand.

2. Spread the legs of the tripod and tighten the nut at the top of the legs.

3. Fix the long tube to the top of the base and adjust the height of the stand.

4. Slide the cymbal marked "bottom" over the rod with the outward curved side down.

5. Insert the clutch through the top of the second cymbal. Add a felt washer to the inside and lock it in place with a nut. Slide the felt washer, cymbal, and the clutch over the post and secure to within 1" of the lower cymbal.

Tips & Warnings

• Install the leg spurs into the leg mounts on the bass drum.

• Insert the three legs into the floor tom and wrench in place by hand.

References

• Musiciandistributorsworldwide.com: Drum Set Instructions-How To Assemble A Drum Set
• The Drum Machine: Drum Lessons: Getting Started: Seating and Positioning
• Drum Bum: How to buy a Drumset

Resources

• Drumsetconnect.com: Setting Up the Perfect Practice Environment For Drumsd
• Freedrumlessons.com: How to Tune a Drum Set