Editing Drum kit (section)

==Accessories==

===Sticks===
{{main|Drum stick}}
[[File:Drum sticks.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Tools of the trade: 7A, 5B, "double bummer", and side drum No. 3 sticks, standard 19 cane rutes, sheathed 7 cane rutes, nylon brushes, steel brushes, and cartwheels]]

Sticks are traditionally made from wood (particularly maple, hickory, and oak), but more recently, metal, carbon fiber, and other materials have been used for sticks. The prototypical wooden drum stick was primarily designed for use with the snare drum, and optimized for playing snare rudiments. Sticks come in a variety of weights and tip designs; 7N is a common jazz stick with a nylon tip, while a 5B is a common wood tipped stick, heavier than a 7N but with a similar profile, and a common standard for beginners. Numbers range from 1 (heaviest) to 10 (lightest).

The meanings of both numbers and letters vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and some sticks are not described using this system at all, just being known as ''Smooth Jazz'' (typically a 7N or 9N) or ''Speed Rock'' (typically a 2B or 3B) for example. Many famous drummers endorse sticks made to their particular preference and sold under their signature.

Besides drumsticks, drummers will also use [[Percussion_mallet#Brushes|brushes]] and [[Rute (music)|Rute]]s in jazz and similar soft music. More rarely, other beaters such as [[cartwheel mallet]]s (known to kit drummers as "soft sticks") may be used. It is not uncommon for rock drummers to use the "wrong" (butt) end of a stick for a heavier sound; some makers produce tipless sticks with two butt ends.

A stick bag is the standard way for a drummer to bring drumsticks to a live performance. For easy access, the stick bag is commonly mounted on the side of the floor tom, just within reach of the drummer's right hand, for a right-handed drummer.

===Muffles===
[[File:Ring muffle on snare.jpg|thumb|Mylar muffle ring on snare]]

Drum muffles are types of [[mute (music)|mutes]] that can reduce the ring, boomy [[overtone]] frequencies, or overall volume on a snare, bass, or tom. Controlling the ring is useful in studio or live settings when unwanted frequencies can clash with other instruments in the mix. There are internal and external muffling devices which rest on the inside or outside of the drumhead, respectively. Common types of mufflers include muffling rings, [[Moongel|gels]] and duct tape, and improvised methods, such as placing a wallet near the edge of the head. Some drummers muffle the sound of a drum by putting a cloth over the drumhead.

'''Snare drum and tom-tom'''
Typical ways to muffle a snare or tom include placing an object on the outer edge of the drumhead. A piece of cloth, a wallet, gel, or fitted rings made of [[BoPET|mylar]] are common objects. Also used are external clip-on muffles. Internal mufflers that lie on the inside of the drumhead are often built into a drum, but are generally considered less effective than external muffles, as they stifle the initial tone, rather than simply reducing its sustain.

'''Bass drum'''
Muffling the bass can be achieved with the same muffling techniques as for the snare, but bass drums in a drum kit are more commonly muffled by adding pillows, a sleeping bag, or other soft filling inside the drum, between the heads. Cutting a small hole in the resonant head can also produce a more muffled tone, and allows the manipulation of internally placed muffling. The Evans EQ pad places a pad against the batterhead and, when struck, the pad moves off the head momentarily, then returns to rest against the head, thus reducing the sustain without choking the tone.

'''Silencers/mutes'''
Another type of drum muffler is a piece of rubber that fits over the entire drumhead or cymbal. It interrupts contact between the stick and the head, which dampens the sound. They are typically used in practice settings.

'''Cymbals''' are usually muted with the fingers or hand, to reduce the length or volume of ringing (e.g., the cymbal choke technique which is a key part of heavy metal drumming). Cymbals can also be muted with special rubber rings or duct tape.

'''Historical uses'''
Muffled drums are often associated with funeral ceremonies as well, such as the funerals of [[Queen Victoria]] and [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishpathe.com/video/funeral-of-queen-victoria |title=Funeral of Queen Victoria – British Pathé |publisher=Britishpathe.com |date=2010-07-18 |access-date=2014-07-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704180143/http://www.britishpathe.com/video/funeral-of-queen-victoria |archive-date=4 July 2014 }}</ref> The use of muffled drums has been written about by such poets as [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]], [[John Mayne]], and [[Theodore O'Hara]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Poetry/PsalmA.htm |title=Longfellow's "A Psalm of Life" |publisher=Blupete.com |access-date=2014-07-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101233134/http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Poetry/PsalmA.htm |archive-date=1 January 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/warpoetry/1805/1805_4.html |title=1805.4 – "The Muffled Drum" &#124; Romantic Circles |date=September 2004 |publisher=Rc.umd.edu |access-date=2014-07-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521214224/http://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/warpoetry/1805/1805_4.html |archive-date=21 May 2014 }}</ref> Drums have also been used for therapy and learning purposes, such as when an experienced player will sit with a number of students and by the end of the session have all of them relaxed and playing complex rhythms.<ref>Ryan , A. (n.d.). Learning to play the drum: an experiential. 43(4), 435–444.</ref>

===Stick holder===
There are various types of stick holder accessories, including bags that can be attached to a drum and angled sheath-style stick holders, which can hold a single pair of sticks.

===Sizzlers===
[[File:aasizzler2.jpg|thumb|150px|Paiste 2002 18" medium cymbal fitted with a chain sizzler]]

A [[sizzler (percussion)|sizzler]] is a metal chain, or combination of chains, that is hung across a cymbal, creating a distinctive metallic sound when the cymbal is struck, similar to that of a [[sizzle cymbal]]. Using a sizzler is the non-destructive alternative to drilling holes in a cymbal and putting metal rivets in the holes. Another benefit of using a "sizzler" chain is that the chain is removable, with the cymbal being easily returned to its normal sound.

Some sizzlers feature pivoting arms that allow the chains to be quickly lowered onto, or raised from, the cymbal, allowing the effect to be used for some songs and removed for others.

===Cases===
{{Main|Drum case}}
[[File:Drum kit cases.JPG|thumb|From left: traps case, floor tom case, snare case (front), twin hanging toms case, cymbal case, bass drum case (rear)]]

Three types of protective covers are common for kit drums:
* Drum bags are made from robust cloth such as [[cordura]] or from cloth-backed vinyl. They give minimal protection from bumps and impacts, but they do protect drums and cymbals from precipitation. They are adequate for drums transported in private vehicles to local gigs and sessions. They are often the only option for young drummers who are just starting out.
* Mid-price hard cases are of similar construction to suitcases, commonly made of fiber composite. The offer more protection from bumps than cloth bags.
* [[Flight case]]s or [[road case]]s are standard for professional touring drummers.

As with all musical instruments, the best protection is provided by a combination of a hard-shelled case with interior padding, such as foam, next to the drums and cymbals.

===Microphones===
[[File:Carl Palmer.jpg|thumb|[[Carl Palmer]] with rim-mounted tom mics]]

[[Microphone]]s ("mics") are used with drum kits to pick up the sound of the drums and cymbals for a [[sound recording]] and/or to pick up the sound of the drum kit so that it can be amplified through a [[PA system]] or [[sound reinforcement system]]. While most drummers use microphones and amplification in live shows, so that the [[sound engineer]] can adjust the levels of the drums and cymbals, some bands that play quieter genres of music and in small venues, such as coffeehouses, play acoustically, without mics or PA amplification. Small jazz groups, such as [[jazz quartet]]s or [[organ trio]]s that are playing in a small bar, will often just use acoustic drums. Of course, if the same small jazz groups play on the mainstage of a big jazz festival, the drums will be miced so that they can be adjusted in the sound system mix. A middle-ground approach is used by some bands that play in small venues: they do not mic every drum and cymbal, but only the instruments that the sound engineer wants to be able to control in the mix, such as the bass drum and the snare.

In miking a drum kit, [[dynamic microphone]]s, which can handle high sound-pressure levels, are usually used to close-mic drums, which is predominantly the way to mic drums for live shows. [[Condenser microphone]]s are used for overheads and room mics, an approach which is more common with sound recording applications. Close miking of drums may be done using stands or by mounting the microphones on the rims of the drums, or even using microphones built into the drum itself, which eliminates the need for stands for such microphones, reducing both clutter and set-up time, as well as better isolating them.

For some styles of music, drummers use electronic effects on drums, such as individual [[noise gate]]s that mute the attached microphone when the signal is below a threshold volume. This allows the sound engineer to use a higher overall volume for the drum kit by reducing the number of "active" mics which could produce unwanted [[Acoustic feedback|feedback]] at any one time. When a drum kit is entirely miked and amplified through the sound reinforcement system, the drummer or the sound engineer can add other [[effect units|electronic effects]] to the drum sound, such as [[reverb]] or [[digital delay]].

Some drummers arrive at the venue with their drum kit and use the mics and mic stands provided by the venue's sound engineer. Other drummers bring all their own mics, or selected mics (e.g., good-quality snare and bass drum mics), to ensure that they have good quality mics on hand. In bars and nightclubs, the microphones supplied by the venue can sometimes be in substandard condition, due to the heavy use they experience.

===Monitors===
Drummers using electronic drums, drum machines, or hybrid acoustic-electric kits (which blend traditional acoustic drums and cymbals with electronic pads) typically use a monitor speaker, keyboard amplifier, or even a small PA system to hear the electronic drum sounds. Even a drummer playing entirely acoustic drums may use a monitor speaker to hear the drums, especially if playing in a loud rock or metal band, where there is substantial onstage volume from large, powerful [[Guitar_amplifier#Stacks|guitar stacks]]. Drummers are often given a large speaker cabinet with a 15" subwoofer to help them monitor their bass drum sound (along with a full-range monitor speaker to hear the rest of their kit). Some sound engineers and drummers prefer to use an electronic vibration system, colloquially known as a "[[butt shaker]]" or "throne thumper" to monitor the bass drum, because this lowers the stage volume. With a "butt shaker", the "thump" of each bass drum strike causes a vibration in the drum stool; this way the drummer ''feels'' their beat on the posterior, rather than hears it.

[[In-ear monitor|In-Ear Monitors]] are also popular among drummers since they also work as earplugs.

===Bass drum gear===
A number of accessories are designed for the bass drum. The bass drum can take advantage of the [[bass reflex]] speaker design, in which a tuned port (a hole and a carefully measured tube) are put in a [[speaker enclosure]] to improve the bass response at the lowest frequencies. Bass drumhead patches protect the drumhead from the impact of the felt beater. Bass drum pillows are fabric bags with filling or stuffing that can be used to alter the tone or resonance of the bass drum. A less expensive alternative to using a specialized bass drum pillow is to use an old sleeping bag.

===Gloves===
Some drummers wear special drummer's gloves to improve their grip on the sticks when they play. Drumming gloves often have a textured grip surface made of a synthetic or rubber material and mesh or vents on the parts of the glove not used to hold sticks, to ventilate perspiration. Some drummers wear gloves to prevent blisters.

===Drum screen===
{{main|Drum screen}}

In some styles or settings—such as country music clubs or churches, small venues, or when a live recording is being made—the drummer may use a transparent [[Perspex]] or [[Plexiglas]] ''drum screen'' (also known as a ''drum shield'') to dampen the onstage volume of the drums. A screen that completely surrounds the drum kit is known as a ''drum booth''. In live sound applications, drum shields are used so that the audio engineer can have more control over the volume of drums that the audience hears through the PA system mix, or to reduce the overall volume of the drums, as a way to reduce the overall volume of the band. In some recording studios, foam and fabric baffles are used in addition to, or in place of, clear panels. The drawback with foam/cloth baffle panels is that the drummer cannot see well other performers, the record producer, or the audio engineer.

===Carpets===
Drummers often bring a carpet, mats, or rugs to venues to prevent the bass drum and hi-hat stand from "crawling" (moving away) on a slippery surface, which can be caused by the drum head striking the bass drum. The carpet also reduces short reverberations (which is generally but not always an advantage), and helps to prevent damage to the flooring or floor coverings. In shows where multiple drummers will bring their kits onstage over the night, it is common for drummers to mark the location of their stands and pedals with tape, to allow for quicker positioning of a kit to a drummer's accustomed position. Bass drums and hi-hat stands commonly have retractable spikes, to help them grip surfaces such as carpet, or rubber feet, to remain stationary on hard surfaces.

===Practice equipment===
Drummers use a variety of accessories when practicing. Metronomes and beat counters are used to develop a sense of a steady beat. Drum muffling pads may be used to lessen the volume of drums during practicing. A [[practice pad]], held on the lap, on a leg, or mounted on a stand, is used for near-silent practice with drumsticks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockdrummingsystem.com/underground/drum-articles/practice-pad-use.php|title=Practice Pad {{!}} Learn To Use A Practice Pad Effectively|website=rockdrummingsystem.com|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> A set of practice pads mounted to simulate an entire drum kit is known as a practice kit. In the 2010s, these have largely been superseded by electronic drums, which can be listened to with headphones for quiet practice and by kits with non-sounding mesh heads.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/electronic-drums-market|title=Electronic Drums Market Insight, Size, Forecast to 2024|website=psmarketresearch.com|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref>

===Tuning equipment===
{{main|Drum key}}
[[File:ARNO DRUM KEYS COLLECTION Custom Drum Key.jpg|thumb|100px|An Arno drum key]]

Drummers use a [[drum key]] for tuning their drums and adjusting some drum hardware.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/article-drum-tuning.html|title=Vintage Snare Drums online Ludwig, Slingerland, Leedy, Camco, Gretsch, Sonor|website=vintagedrumguide.com|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> Besides the basic type of drum key (a T-handled wrench) there are various tuning wrenches and tools. Basic drum keys are divided into three types which allows for tuning of three types of tuning screws on drums: square (most used), slotted, and hexagonal. Ratchet-type wrenches allow high-tension drums to be tuned easily. Spin keys (utilizing a ball joint) allow for rapid head changing. Torque-wrench keys are available, graphically revealing the torque given to each lug. Also, tension gauges, or meters, which are set on the head, aid drummers to achieve a consistent tuning. Drummers can tune drums "[[Playing by ear|by ear]]" or use a digital drum tuner, which "measures tympanic pressure" on the drumhead to provide accurate tuning.

===Notation and improvisation===
{{main|Percussion notation|Musical improvisation}}
{{Image frame|content=<score raw="1" sound="1">
\version "2.22.0"
\header { tagline = ##f}
\score {
  \drums \with {midiInstrument = "drums"}
  \with { \numericTimeSignature }
  {
    \repeat volta 2 {
      <<
        \tempo 4 = 80-160
        \bar ".|:"
        {
          cymra8 [cymra] cymra [cymra]  cymra [cymra] cymra [cymra]
        }\\{bd4 sne bd sne}
      >>\break
    }
  }
  \layout {}
}
\score {
  \unfoldRepeats {
    \drums \with {midiInstrument = "drums"}{
      \repeat volta 2 {

        <<
          \tempo 4 = 80-160
          \bar ".|:"
          {
            cymra8 [cymra] cymra [cymra]  cymra [cymra] cymra [cymra]
          }\\{bd4 sne bd sne}
        >>\break
      }
    }
  }
  \midi { \tempo  4 = 90 }
}
</score>|width=300|align=right|caption=The basic [[common time]] groove with bass (bottom), back beat snare, and cymbal (top) is common in popular music.|max-width=300}}

Drum kit music is either written in music notation (called "drum parts"), learned and played by ear, improvised, or some combination of any of all three of these methods.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://drummagazine.com/drum-notation-guide/|title=Drum Notation Guide|date=2009-08-18|website=DRUM! Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> Professional session musician drummers and big-band drummers are often required to read drum parts. Drum parts are most commonly written on a standard five-line staff. As of 2016, a special ''percussion clef'' is used, while previously the bass clef was used. However, even if the bass, or no, clef is used, each line and space is assigned an instrument in the kit, rather than a pitch. In jazz, traditional music, folk music, rock music, and pop music, drummers are expected to be able to learn songs by ear (from a recording or from another musician who is playing or singing the song) and improvise. The degree of improvisation differs among different styles. Jazz and jazz fusion drummers may have lengthy improvised solos in every song. In rock music and blues, there are also drum solos in some songs, although they tend to be shorter than those in jazz. Drummers in all popular music and traditional music styles are expected to be able to improvise accompaniment parts to songs, once they are told the genre or style (e.g., shuffle, ballad, blues).

===Recording===
On early recording media (until 1925),<ref name="Hazel 1993 p.44">Porter/Hullman/Hazel (1993). ''Jazz – From its Origins to the Present'', p.44. {{ISBN|0-13-512195-7}}.</ref> such as [[wax cylinder]]s and [[Gramophone record|discs]] carved with an engraving needle, sound balancing meant that musicians had to be moved back in the room.<ref name="Hazel 1993 p.44"/> Drums were often put far from the horn (part of the mechanical transducer) to reduce sound [[distortion]].

In the 2020s, drum parts in many popular music styles are often recorded apart from the other instruments and singers, using [[multitrack recording]] techniques. Once the drums are recorded, the other instruments (rhythm guitar, piano, etc.), and then vocals, are added. To ensure that the drum tempo is consistent at this type of recording, the drummer usually plays along with a [[click track]] (a type of digital [[metronome]]) in headphones. The ability to play accurately along with a click track has become an important skill for professional drummers.