How to Identify Premier Drums
Drums add another dimension to the melodic sounds of string, horn and digital instruments. A good beat can provide structure for a song and drive it to another level. The drum quality can mean the difference between a flat performance and a raucous crowd. Identifying premier drums requires a trained ear that comes with experience. Quality drums emit certain characteristics that differentiate themselves from lesser percussion instruments.
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Instructions
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Play your beats as if you're performing. Quality drums will sound loud when the drummer hits hard but will also maintain a crisp sound when he scales back. A crisp sound is especially important in a snare drum. Experts identify a quality snare drum by its "pop," or explosive, quick sound.
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Listen from a distance as you have someone else play. Although drum microphones can help amplify a sound, premier drums can usually provide sufficient unamplified sound to listeners up to 100 feet away. Identify the characteristics you noticed when you played the drums, including volume dynamics and crispness.
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Play along with live music recordings. Great bands use great equipment, and playing along with recordings allows you to hear similarities and differences between the drums. Lower-quality drums, particularly the bass drum, will have a higher tone and less reverberation.
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Identify the wood with which the drums are built. Maple is the most popular wood for quality drums because of its balanced sound in highs, middles and lows. Basswood, luan and poplar woods are less expensive, but each has sound problems that keep them from the biggest stages.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask music store employees and other drummers for advice if you're not sure. The more sets of ears, the better.
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