(Part 2) Best drum & percussion accessories according to redditors

First, make dead sure of the sizes. They are most likely 12/13/16 on the toms, 22" kick, 14" snare.

Can't go wrong with a Remo Pinstripe pack with free 14" coated Ambassador for the snare. Throw in a 22" Pinstripe for the kick, and you're all set for way less than $100.

RealFeel by Evans Folding Bass Pedal Practice Pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003URZWLW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ps93AbX2AQGEW but for the same money, just get Yamaha KP65 Electronic Drum Kick Tower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R2RA4E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.s93AbVXPQXMB

Nah, this practice pad is a million times better. Don't waste your money.

Nope. Tremel-no is an actual product and doesn't do any of that. I have them on almost all of my guitars with a floating trem because they are awesome.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MNEKWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kWoJyb02BWAAM

That's a pretty good deal for the price. I'd definitely get new batter (top) heads for all of the drums. I'm not sure if you've shopped around too much, but here are my recommendations:

Snare: Evans Genera HD Dry

Toms: Evans G2 Coated

Bass Drum: Evans EMAD Clear

These heads are probably the most standard heads you can get for a drum set. They will sound great for pretty much any genre of music you throw at them. There are plenty of tuning videos on youtube, but would recommend this video since you're dealing with a cheaper drum set. If you want to go more in-depth, check out more videos from Jared Falk.

I'm not exactly sure what your drum sizes are, but I'm fairly certain that you have a 14" snare and a 22" kick. You can measure the size of each drum by measuring the diameter of the wood from one outer edge to another. Don't measure the metal hoops.

To echo what others have said, I couldn't have played drums to save my life when I first played Rock Band. I would fail songs on medium. Now I'm actually a pretty decent drummer, at least for someone who has never owned an acoustic kit.

The key is not to expect Rock Band to teach you everything, which you seem to have figured out already. Rock Band combined with independent research on actual playing techniques (grip, sticking, the parts of the kit, etc.) will absolutely turn you into a passable drummer, just as it did for me.

A couple suggestions: first, get some new sticks. Even the better Rock Band sticks are okay at best. You're not tearing them up on tour every night; you can splurge on something nicer like these. The dip is really nice if you're prone to dropping them, and the nylon tips won't wear the way wooden ones sometimes do.

Second, get a practice pad. A book on sticking patterns like this one can be valuable too but isn't crucial. A practice pad lets you practice sticking patterns. A few minutes a day playing to a metronome will make a big difference. As you improve, you can gradually raise the BPM of the metronome and train yourself to be faster.

If you don't use the tremolo you can block it:

http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Caughtlikefire/media/Block_Bridge.jpg.html

If you do use it you can tighten the tremolo screws.

If you switch between using it and not using it you can get a Tremol-no.

https://www.amazon.com/Allparts-Tremol-No-Tremolo-Locking-Device/dp/B004MNEKWK

Pearl P932 is a great "slightly-past" entry level pedal. It's a single chain, but it is well made and very responsive.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-P932-Demonator-Interchangeable-Powershifter/dp/B00BIBBJ46/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414942987&sr=8-2&keywords=pearl+eliminator+double+pedal

Your kit setup is completely subjective and I don't think you're missing out on anything other than having another tool on your belt. I typically play using a similar config of two toms in my blues/rock project, but for the surf rock project, I'll add a mid tom between the high and low just so I have another sound in the mix.

the donner yellow fall delay is $35 and it's a surprisingly good analog-style (it says analog but I'm almost sure it's digital) delay.

also, I know not everybody's into chorus, but the danelectro fab chorus is an absolute steal at $15. it's probably not gig-worthy, but it's the best 15 buck pedal I've ever heard. I think most people would agree that it's the best out of the danelectro fab series. can't go wrong if you like chorus.

This, these, and one of these will get you started for $53.10

Or if you want to go nuts, one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005LVJRIE/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511833445&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Tama+cymbal+topper

I see a lot of people using this : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evans-RealFeel-inch-Practice-Pad/dp/B000FT9ZIO/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1409067215&sr=1-2
You can pretty easily find online metronomes as well.

I have the bass pedal set so that it sits like 2" away from the head to reduce volume. It doesn't feel terrible, but it doesn't feel great. I've basically given up hope at this point that I can replicate the authentic feel of a kit

heads: http://www.amazon.com/Remo-SN0014-00-Silentstroke-Mesh-14-Inch/dp/B00F595A10

I got it from amazon and it was 68 bucks I’d say it could could be heard in an open office setting but if you don’t have it up against a wall it may be quite enough. I’d worry more about the creaking of your kick honestly.

Add a patch to your kick and save the underlying fabric from wear and tear

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002D0DWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

just save up a few hundred bucks and keep an eye on craigslist. and if you are stuck in an apartment grab a mesh head for silent snare practice and hammer down on rudiments. Mesh Heads

the most basic kit you would really want is a snare a high hat and a bass drum but for like 3-400 you would most likely get a full 5 piece with a couple crashes and a ride off craigslist.

If you want to stick with Vic Firth, check out VF 55a sticks, they treat me well. I generally steer away from 5bs, I feel like they are a bit clunky (but that’s just personal preference). With regards to stick quality, I really like the promarks. Undoubtedly better qual than most Vic firths. Got this pair a week ago and it’s holding really well and plays nice: https://www.amazon.com/Promark-PW747W-Japanese-Shira-Autograph/dp/B000EEHKHI?tag=equipboard-posts-157-20&SubscriptionId=AKIAJNPAI32UDCKLKDGA&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000EEHKHI
Also taking into consideration how fast you’re wearing down your sticks, might want to take a look at your technique or even your drum heads. If you’re sure that’s not the problem, you could buy ‘Metal’ sticks: they are made to be durable. I think Vic Firth offers them, and maybe also Zildjian (although I think they should stick to cymbals- don’t really like their sticks)
Good luck with everything.

I dig it! Don't take this the wrong way, it's just an observation...but it reminds me of a RealFeel practice pad: https://www.amazon.com/RealFeel-Evans-Practice-Pad-Inch/dp/B000FT9ZIO

I've been running with the Surge Mesh-
https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Surge-Mesh-Kit-Connectivity/dp/B078S7PFMJ/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537611473&sr=8-2-fkmr1&keywords=nitro+surge+mesh

and a Pearl Demonator-
https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-P932-Demonator-Interchangeable-Powershifter/dp/B00BIBBJ46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537611562&sr=8-1&keywords=pearl+demonator

I don't know what your budget is but I would definitely recommend the Surge over the Nitro, all the parts are better quality and over the life of the instrument the increased cost is insignificant. The Nitro kick tower is a bit smaller than the mesh, not sure if it will accommodate double beaters. What were you thinking in your research thus far?

Vic Firth Pad (good and simple)

Vic Firth SD1's are nice for beginners

Look into a piece called the tremol-no from allparts. http://www.amazon.com/Allparts-Tremol-No-Tremolo-Locking-Device/dp/B004MNEKWK

It might help you out by expanding the amount of guitars you can look at. I hate tremolos with a passion, so I used it to block my strat's tremolo entirely, but there is supposedly an option that allows you to put it in "dive-bomb only" mode or something...this would turn an annoying floyd rose into a strat or PRS style tremolo.

https://www.amazon.com/TAMA-QC8B4-Quick-Set-Cymbal-Mate/dp/B005LVJRIE

If he is a shaver, get him a beard. Or a hot shave at a nice barber. I had one once, was kinda cool if you like having a babies face.

If he is a drummer(which he is) maybe drumsticks? Like these? I think you can use those for drumming. I'm not musical so I dunno :p. Or perhaps Neil Peart - Taking Center Stage. There is a special with the book(pretty cool, it has photo's and diagrams of all his different setups and such) AND a set of DVDs from assorted Rush tours.

If he likes Xbox 360, get him a Playstation :p

If he likes burlesque...pass.

If he likes to cook, but cookbooks aren't the best option...what do you guys have for knives? A man will always appreciate a knife, a cooking man even more. Show me what you've got and I'd be of more use regarding this one than anything else.

You live in a great area for beer and live music. I don't know his beer feelings, but a day of brewery tastings would get my pants down in a hurry. Or tickets to a show. Or beer, tickets to a show, and my pants down!

I suppose a good crack from a drum stick could break a piezo. I'm not really a 'hard hitter', and haven't had any broken piezos (in over a year). I also keep the mesh heads tuned pretty tight so there isn't much head travel.
I would strongly recommend getting a slam patch for you're kick pad. A pedal is much more likely to damage a piezo compared to a stick.

Adding a think layer of felt/foam between the thick black foam and the head definitely won't be as loud as the stock mylar heads. The mylars 'click-klack', while the mesh (even with extra layer) 'thud'.
Good luck.

"dirt" pedals are overdrive, fuzz, or distortion pedals because they 'dirty' up your signal

if you're okay with waiting, used is always the best to go in terms of cost. if not, here's a small list of cheap, simple pedals that work

delay:

tc electronic the prophet


joyo d-seed


boss dd-3

joyo delay

donner yellow fall analog delay

reverb:

mosky spring reverb

tc electronic drip

caline snake bite

behringer dr-600

chorus:

mxr analog chorus

joyo classic chorus

biyang chorus

danelectro fab chorus

volume pedal:

ernie ball

boss fv-50h

power supply:

cs7

mxr iso brick

here's a cheap/basic place to start. since you're going simple, most pedals you come across will honestly work with what you want you want to accomplish, it's mostly down to your budget. if you're looking used, you can't go wrong with MXR, boss, and EHX pedals, they're usually everywhere on the used market

I'm a fan of the Tama mechanisms, if only because you can get 4 of them for slightly more than you'll pay for 1 slick nut.

https://www.amazon.com/TAMA-QC8B4-Quick-Set-Cymbal-Mate/dp/B005LVJRIE/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1495462850&sr=1-1&keywords=tama+quick+set+cymbal+mate

Vic Firth: SD1 General

Practiced with them then ended up using them all the time once the band started getting more used to the heavy-hitting sound.

Huge nono. Felt will rip the shit out of mesh. Get a cheap double bass kick patch on amazon and you will be fine. My iron cobras came with plastic and felt on the other side which was convenient.

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I have this one https://www.amazon.com/Evans-Double-Pedal-Patch-Black/dp/B0002D0DWK/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=drum+patch+evans&qid=1564164850&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Your drums' sizes are most likely 12/13/16/22bd/14snare. The simple answer would be: Remo Ambassador coated on the snare, Pinstripes everywhere else. Remo will sell you these as a package deal, the cheapest way to go. See the FAQ for tuning advice.

Remember this well: for drums, tuning is everything. You already have the best kind of drums on earth: the free kind. Put on new heads, figure out how to tune them, and save your cash for decent cymbals. A cheap drum with a decent head and some tuning will sound great, but a crap cymbal is a crap cymbal, period. Don't be in a hurry to ditch the drums themselves - surround them with good cymbals and hardware, and you can gig with em anywhere. Later, keep the good hardware and cymbals, and put them on better drums.

Still a work in progress, but this is my current "budget-ish" setup:

ernie ball volume pedal jr > donner tuner > donner compressor > mxr m-80 d.i. + > ibanez phat hed od/dist > joyo vintage phase > danelectro fab chorus > joyo analog delay > donner yellow fall analog delay > Hartke HA2000/Genz Benz 2x10

I have this same problem. I've used tape to remove most of it. Currently waiting for the UPS delivery (today) for this.

This one? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006OHVMK/ref=s9_dcacsd_dcoop_bw_c_x_2_w

Here is the mobile version of your link

For practicing at home, I really like the Evans RealFeel practice pad. I went for the 12" so I can use it in my extra snare stand easily.

As for sticks, you can either go for what feels the best for now or go on the heavier side for chops building as /u/justawildyaz said.

Personally, I love these ProMark Neil Peart signature sticks.

Good luck, newbie. Rock it.

I'd say get the book Stick Control, maybe a cheap metronome and do exactly what it says. Buy a good drum pad. These things will improve your playing to a new level, not to mention decrease fatigue. Drumming behind a drumset isn't all there is to playing drums. Dig it.

Agreed about the Cajon bag. Meinl percussion makes a range from ~$25-90. My buddy has the $25 and I've seen the $90 in person. They're impressive. He was able to pack Cthulhu Wars along with a number of big box and small box games. I have custom cases for a few of my titles, and it was able to accommodate a pelican case 1450, a DeWalt tool case, Raiders of the North Sea and a couple of small boxes. They're cavernous, but padded and semi rigid. Definitely beats out any other option I've seen

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006OHVMK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_uRLoyb9HYWM33

Evans Apprentice. It's decent, but I've never had another one so I'm not sure if it's that much better or worse than others out there.

I'm not trying to be funny or mean here. This. Ten minutes every time before you hit the set^(more would be better but you get the idea)

Well, I guess thats up to you. I wouldn't spend the full 3 hours working on just double bass though, thats just crazy. If its really important to you, 40mins to an hour per day is a healthy amount of time to focus on one aspect of your drumming. Heres the pad I have myself, http://www.amazon.com/RealFeel-Evans-Folding-Pedal-Practice/dp/B003URZWLW would definitely recommend it.

Just read one of the reviews for it there where some guy thought the pedal was going to come with it, lol!

Heavy sticks with easy exercises. The Finger Control Book by Roy Burnes and Lewis Malin is great for proper technique. Hell, you can see the pictures from the beginning of the book on Amazon for free. Using heavier sticks than you normally play with is just like adding more weight to a workout.

Get yourself a nice practice pad if you don't already have one.

Make sure your fingers are in the right grip, and play quarter notes with a strong upstroke -- snap up into a stretched wrist. For the downstroke, just relax your wrist and let it fall.

Most people focus on hitting the drums. The upstroke is equally if not more important than the downstroke for proper technique development.

I've never had a reason to do any stretches. In general, static stretching is good after exercise but bad before it. Warm up with some technical exercises that work your fingers/wrist and stretch them dynamically.

Most importantly, stop when you feel pain. Massaging afterward is great, and ice to follow doesn't hurt.

I would highly suggest some lessons with a drum teacher familiar with that book that demonstrates superb, relaxed technique. If you're in Southern California, I can make a recommendation.

Where you looking for something different from this?

One time, I was really sick at home (I was like, 8 or 9 at the time), and my sickness had me a little... leaky. Anyways, I was sitting on the couch watching TV, and I had to fart.


Oh yeah, I should mention my mom had just gotten a blue, denim couch cover to protect it from stains. Back to the story.


Only problem was, I forgot I was sick, so every fart I felt was actually liquid nastiness. So I poot da boot, and lo and behold, there's a wetness under me. Now, being 8 or 9, I'd always watch my mom do laundry and she'd always say that bleach got stains out of everything! Well I'm wiggin' out, and I think to myself, "How do I get this out without anyone knowing? I KNOW! I'll use bleach." What I failed to remember was bleach's ability to further and permanently stain denim (among others cloths), and proceeded to make a solution. I took my solution, sprayed it on brush, and started going to town! It was looking pretty great and I felt pretty good until it didn't and I didn't. u.u I intended to hide an inch-long poo stain, and ended up painting a huge chunk of the cover white. I just stopped and cried. My mom just couldn't stop laughing and just bleached the entire thing. Why on earth did I do that?

Here's my item.

I'm thinking these drumsticks would go well on your WL.

Vic Firth Drum Set Mute Prepack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FREODC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YkhpxbHGYM107

Here is the desktop version of your link

I dig this one: http://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-Heavy-Hitter-Slim/dp/B0002F5C8S/

It's got a quiet and a loud side, it's roomy and sits on my snare nicely without much room to slide around. Its response is on the bouncy side, which I like. Mine has stood up to 2.5 years of consistent practice without showing any wear to speak of, though it does look a bit dirty now. I like the tone it generates- clear and higher pitched than other practice pads I've used.

On the downside, it's large, pretty heavy, and can't be mounted on a cymbal stand.

The most realistic practice pad that I can think of is Xymox, supposed to be just like a marching snare although I've never used one(to be fair, I've also never played on a marching snare).

I usually use an Evans Soundoff which has less rebound than the snare drum I keep it on top of, but still has some rebound. It's a great way to build your chops though, and I prefer it to a pillow which doesn't feel much like a drum at all.

I also own a Beatnik, which is a great practice pad as well. It's quite a bit bouncier than a snare drum, but it's a good tool to measure your accuracy and consistency more exactly than your ear and a metronome could. I should probably use it more than I do, lol.

http://www.amazon.com/Beatnik-RA1200P-RA1200p-Rhythmic-Analyzer/dp/B000GF1CNS

real time analysis of your accuracy, volume

analysis of all subdivisions from 1 to 8 from tempos 25 - , can program patterns like OP listed, can program in rests, can take out notes from subdivisions, etc.

Not the cheapest option but I've been using this cajon bag for the last year and it has served me well. The interior is very well padded, no games will game scuffed.

The shoulder strap could use a better padding but other than that it's great. Wouldn't recommend it if you have to walk a lot, though. With the weight of all the games it can get a bit uncomfortable (but then again, so will any other option).

I never found the backpacks to be that great because if you have a lot of games packed it will be super hard to get up/down

Above was some recommendation for practicing with drummers; I would go even further and recommend actual simple drumming.

There's a very useful gadget called the Beatnik Rhythmic Analyzer that is a drum practice pad is interactive, and will give you feedback about how well you matched the metronome.

http://www.amazon.com/Beatnik-RA1200P-RA1200p-Rhythmic-Analyzer/dp/B000GF1CNS

I found one used on ebay for $50.

IMHO 90% of rhythm skills are transferable to other instruments. (My primary instrument is guitar.)

If you're really short on money, you could still try drumming with your fingers to a metronome, letting you focus on just that single thing.

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarian-Drumheads-PF22-Performance-2-22-inch/dp/B0007YLXJQ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002E3L4G?pc_redir=1414055360&robot_redir=1

$64 brand new batters.

Pearl P932

Non-dipped sticks feel naked to me. They're always slipping out of my hand! Zildjian 5A Nylon Dip sticks for life.

If you just want a 'basic, all around' stick I would recommend SD1s from Vic Firth. They are a great, standard size stick that can be used for a lot of different purposes.

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https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-American-SD1-General/dp/B0002F4TKA

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If you want to immediately start out with marching percussion, the stick I would recommend starting with Ralph Hardimons also from Vic Firth.

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https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-Corpsmaster-Signature-Hardimon/dp/B0002F6NJA?keywords=Corpsmaster+drum+sticks&qid=1540777270&s=Musical+Instruments&sr=1-1&ref=sr_1_1

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There are other types of marching sticks with some different features that can be better or worse for you depending on what you are playing, your natural playing tendency and other things but these are sticks that have a nice weight, about the standard size for marching sticks and will help you while at least starting off and learning some of the basics.

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As far as practice pad, I would recommend any double sided pad with two different types of material to play on. One that I have used for many, many years that I believe is a great pad is the double sided Reel Feel pad.

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https://www.amazon.com/Evans-2-Sided-Practice-Pad-Inch/dp/B000FMDIXY

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There are other pads than this that are also really good, I am not saying this is the "only" pad you should get, but that this pad will certainly work for what you need.

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I hope this helps some.

Here is the advice that I will give you: I suggest going out getting a practice pad, any piece of rubber like this and whenever you are watching TV, your playing a game of fortnite or whatever kids play these days, even just during lunch, Just tap on it. It is all about muscle memory. Muscle memory is extremely helped by daily practice so make sure to tap a little bit every day.

Depending on the quality of their setup, a nicer practice pad for the snare would be a terrific gift, and only cost ~$30.

These are the pads I would recommend:
Durable, Reliable. What I use at home

Precise rebound for marching band or metal

Flagship practice pad. Beautiful feel/response, but $50 I/O $30

https://www.amazon.com/Sticks-ROSENICE-Maibachi-Drumsticks-Purple/dp/B075M9S4DT/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1543199934&sr=1-1&keywords=maibachi

There's also a cheaper option available!

I'm looking to buy maibachi, but I only see two choices with Prime on Amazon.

Which of these is "better"?:
https://www.amazon.com/Sticks-ROSENICE-Maibachi-Drumsticks-Purple/dp/B075M9S4DT/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=maibachi&qid=1557031706&s=gateway&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/ROSENICE-Drumstick-Maibachi-Master-Sticks/dp/B072LXDWD8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=maibachi&qid=1557031706&s=gateway&sr=8-1

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Or would I just be fine with either of them?

Comparable to normal drumhead costs. I got the Remo Silentstrokes for everything:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F595A10/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7td2DbV244D4M