Drum Set Up Instructions

The correct drum setup will be comfortable to play.

Setting up your drum kit correctly is important for your playing. The correct drum set up should make the drums comfortable and easy to play. An incorrect drum set up can lead to the drums falling over or physical discomfort while you play. To increase the likelihood of a good drum setup, make sure you have quality stands and hardware. If you need help, consult your local drum shop, and they can tell you the right stands and hardware for you drums.

Things You'll Need

• Drums
• Stands and hardware

Instructions

1. Extend the spurs (the leg on either side of the bass drum) so they touch the ground. Adjust the spurs as necessary to ensure the bass drum is held up even on both sides, and that it won’t fall over. Make sure the bolts are tightened.

2. Fasten the bass drum pedal to the side of the bass drum you’ll be playing. There is a clamp or other attachment device on the bass drum pedal that will connect the pedal to the bass drum rim. Make sure the bass drum pedal is flat on the ground and that the bass drum beater strikes the bass drum head near the center.

3. Extend all three legs of the floor tom. It might take some experimenting to find the height that works best for you. If you’d like the floor tom to be slightly angled, simply extend one of the legs shorter than the other two. Tighten the bolts to hold the legs in place. Place the floor tom to the right of the bass drum pedal (or left if you are using a left-handed setup) and an inch or two in front of the bass drum. Pick a spot that’s most comfortable for you to play.

4. Extend the legs of the snare drum stand, and spread them as far as they can go without the stand falling over. Tighten the bolt that controls the legs. Raise up the height of the stand until you find the height that’s most comfortable for you to play. Angle the basket (the three arms that hold the snare drum in place) until you find the angle that’s easiest for you to play the snare drum. Make sure all the bolts are tightened.

5. Put the snare drum in the basket. Check and be sure that no parts of the snare stand are pressing into the bottom drum head.

6. Place the snare drum and its stand to the left of bass drum pedal (or right if you’re using a left-handed setup), as well as being in front of the bass drum. Again, pick a spot that’s most comfortable for you.

7. Put the tom arm into the mounting clamp that’s on the top of the bass drum. If you’re using a single tom, many drummers put that tom on the left side of the bass drum (or right if you’re using a left-handed setup). If you have two toms, you can put them on both sides of the bass drum. As always, tighten the bolts.

8. Place the tom in the tom holder. Change the angle of the tom holder, as well as raising or lowering the tom arm, if a different angle and height would be more comfortable. You don’t want the bottom of the tom to be right on top of the bass drum, as this can damage either drum. Position it so the bottom of the tom is at least a couple centimeters above the bass drum. For additional toms, repeat this same process, being sure the positioning of the toms doesn’t touch other toms or other drums. As always, make sure the bolts have been tightened.

9. Play your drums. Continue to make adjustments as necessary until you find the setup that is most comfortable and easy to play.

References

• Music Distributors Worldwide: Drum Set Instructions

Resources

• Drummer World