# Setting up a drum kit **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482 "2017-12-03T19:29:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/1 "2017-12-03T19:29:59Z")
Do drummers typically arrange their drums all the same way, or is it individual preference? Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/2 "2017-12-03T21:04:19Z")
It’s pretty universal for a small kit to have the high hat on the left and the floor tom on the right, but I’m sure there are rebels out there. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/3 "2017-12-03T22:26:01Z")
The basic kit is usually set up in a pretty standard way, Snare between the legs the two toms in front above the snare, then the floor tom to the right lower down. The cymbals are arranged high hat to the left of the snare and, to the right of that the crash cymbal, then to the right past the two toms is the ride cymbal. The base is on the floor between the two toms. The biggest variation I see is single or double base pedal. There are a ton of modifications I have seen to this basic setup (that started with Gene Krupa I believe). They all revolve around additions to the basic setup mentioned above. I think the first is cowbell, set up between the two toms. After that I see people adding a myriad of cymbals, sometimes another tom. Then there’s the kit Neil Peart uses . . . ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/4 "2017-12-04T01:05:51Z")
Interesting, I didn’t realize the snare was part of the set. Can an experienced ear hear the snare drum apart from the others? I could have called my cousin, I guess. He is retired from the Naval Academy Band and the Navy Band, all those years on the kettle drums. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/5 "2017-12-04T01:21:21Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > Interesting, I didn’t realize the snare was part of the set. Can an experienced ear hear the snare drum apart from the others? > > I could have called my cousin, I guess. He is retired from the Naval Academy Band and the Navy Band, all those years on the kettle drums. > > Dennis They can be tuned all different ways but I’m not an experiences drummer so someone else would have to come in and answer that. Probably about half of all my knowledge about drumming was delineated in my first post in this thread. I can play a fill with cascading 16th note toms in time at 100 bpm - that’s the height of my drumming abilities so far. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/6 "2017-12-04T02:02:41Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > Interesting, I didn’t realize the snare was part of the set. Can an experienced ear hear the snare drum apart from the others? I’m not sure I understand this question. The snare drum is probably the most identifiable part of the set. For a drum set playing Western pop music, you basically just need a kick (bass) drum, a snare, and a cymbal of some type (hi-hat, but you can probably get away with a ride.) ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/7 "2017-12-04T02:14:02Z")
Pulykamell beat me to it. If a drummer only used one drum it would be a snare. Some examples of stripped down kits: [Stray Cats - Rock this town LIVE - YouTube](https://youtu.be/zk_WpqVFYZg) Stray Cats [Violent Femmes](https://youtu.be/Ra8VTlXVqUQ) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/8 "2017-12-04T02:14:13Z")
I suspect whether the high hat goes to the right or left depends on if the drummer is left or right handed. Anyone here know a left handed drummer? Do they hold their sticks the way righties do or do they swap them? I suspect that determines how they set up their kit. Ringo Starr revealed rather recently his secret was he was left handed and played a kit set up for a rightie. Mickey Dolenz was right handed and on the show played a set set up for a lefty. But since Mickey wasn’t a drummer in the first place… ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/9 "2017-12-04T02:22:21Z")
Yes lefty drummers play opposite hands and typically set everything up mirror image to righties. Hi-hat on the right, floor Tom on the left, etc. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/10 "2017-12-04T02:38:03Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Ringo Starr revealed rather recently his secret was he was left handed and played a kit set up for a rightie. I thought that was pretty much always known about him. (Other lefties playing right-handed kits are Stewart Copeland, Dave Lombardo, Travis Barker). I don’t think it’s _that_ unusual. Of the four bands I played in, two of the drummers were left handed, but played right-handed kits. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/11 "2017-12-04T04:51:49Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I thought that was pretty much always known about him. (Other lefties playing right-handed kits are Stewart Copeland, Dave Lombardo, Travis Barker). I don’t think it’s _that_ unusual. Of the four bands I played in, two of the drummers were left handed, but played right-handed kits. Well, it was news to me. Maybe if I was a drummer I’d have known. How did the lefty drummers hold the sticks? ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/12 "2017-12-04T10:00:01Z")
I’m fairly novice on the drums, but I don’t think mirror-imaging the drums would make that much difference. Simple music usually involves striking the hi-hat more often than anything else, but simple music is simple. More intricate drumming seems to utilize both hands pretty equally. I don’t think it’s like playing a guitar the “wrong” way round. Just an ISTM, I could be wrong. > [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > The biggest variation I see is single or double base pedal. When they do that, what happens with the hi-hat pedal? Do they use 3 pedals and if so, do they “reverse” the hi-hat (so pedal up = hi-hat closed)? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/13 "2017-12-04T13:02:39Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Well, it was news to me. Maybe if I was a drummer I’d have known. How did the lefty drummers hold the sticks? All the ones I played with used matched grip, so it didn’t matter. (And they all played the “closed” style, with hands crossed over the hi-hat and snare, as opposed to the more modern “open” style, where left hand plays hi-hat, and right hand plays snare. Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews is one lefty who plays open style, but I also know righties that do it.) And the ones I’ve seen who play traditional grip (like Stewart Copeland) on a right-handed kit also hold it the same as a righty. I assume if you’re playing traditional on a left-handed kit, you’d have the hands switched, but I’m struggling to find anyone pictures or video of anyone playing traditional grip on a left-handed kit. That would be the only way that would make sense to me, though, if you were using traditional on a left-handed kit. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/14 "2017-12-04T14:11:30Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > > [@Mr. Nylock](#): > > > > The biggest variation I see is single or double base pedal. > > When they do that, what happens with the hi-hat pedal? Do they use 3 pedals and if so, do they “reverse” the hi-hat (so pedal up = hi-hat closed)? If a drummer is using double-bass pedals one option is to use a[’drop clutch’](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DWSM505?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgZTRBRDmARIsAJvVWAupZ9yHRR4pYTyTUF-8HqgD8nAtQAdbzC-ZDVW8L-oVQMPoLQgQxXUaAoqmEALw_wcB)on the top hi hat cymbal, easily releasing the top cymbal so it’s closed (but loose) when double-bass drumming. When finished, step on the hi hat pedal and the clutch reconnects to the top cymbal again for regular use. If using [double kick pedals](https://goo.gl/images/81MvxS) but on only one kick drum the second kick pedal sits beside the hi-hat pedal and a rod runs to the beater. I haven’t played this way but I think with some fancy footwork the use of a drop clutch can be minimized. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/15 "2017-12-04T15:30:02Z")
Ah, very interesting. I’m also somewhat relieved that my question wasn’t a silly one 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/16 "2017-12-04T15:46:04Z")
I’m a right handed drummer, and I used to “roadie” for a local band. I used to set up and tear down the drum kit and haul it to the shows and back to the rehearsal spot. The drummer was left handed, so I can indeed confirm that the kit was set up as a mirror image of a right handed kit. (Hi-hat to the right of the snare, single rack tom to the right of the kick drum, two floor toms to the left of the snare) There were some occasions were I was asked to do the sound check (he was always late), this proved to be pretty difficult since I’m right handed. > [@](#): > > Then there’s the kit Neil Peart uses . . . Yes, I would hate to be his drum tech…or Terry Bozio’s tech : [Bozio 360 kit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qHphdbfFUg) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/17 "2017-12-04T16:04:42Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > And the ones I’ve seen who play traditional grip (like Stewart Copeland) on a right-handed kit also hold it the same as a righty. I assume if you’re playing traditional on a left-handed kit, you’d have the hands switched, but I’m struggling to find anyone pictures or video of anyone playing traditional grip on a left-handed kit. That would be the only way that would make sense to me, though, if you were using traditional on a left-handed kit. Ah, found one [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8VRloG_154&feature=youtu.be). He’s playing traditional grip on a left-handed kit with the right hand using the underhand grip instead of the left hand. (So, basically what I said above.) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/18 "2017-12-04T19:33:30Z")
Don’t buy cheap Chinese cymbal stands off ebay. Trust me on this… ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/19 "2017-12-05T01:15:00Z")
Phil Collins is rarely in the discussion of great drummers but he’s fantastic. Collins is left-handed and sets up his kit in the lefty style (hi-hat to the right). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-drum-kit/803482/20 "2017-12-05T02:31:24Z")
> [@minlokwat](#): > > Phil Collins is rarely in the discussion of great drummers but he’s fantastic. Oh, I wouldn’t say that (the first part, that is.) At least around here, he definitely gets his props. He’s among the GOATs. I’d put him in my top three favorite rock drummers of all time (Bonham and Copeland rounding out the list.)