Small Is Beautiful

david · Kitten Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 136 Location: UK

When I was a kid I wanted a kit like Neil Peart.

When I finally was able to get my dream kit 2 yrs ago, I bought a reasonably large set up (7 piece and lots of cymbals).

I've spent the last two years on a musical journey, really delving into the art of drumming as a open minded pupil, for the first time in my life (i'm 37 and was self taught). I've studdied diferent techniques to unlearn bad habits. I've experimented with different drum tunings. I've tried to learn to play more delicately. I've been constantly fiddling with my set up- changing configurations, heights, angled etc.

I really have come to the conclusion that less is more. I find that I am more creative with a small set up than the full kit.

If I just have a four or five peice config, then I'm concentrating on WHAT to play rather than WHERE to play it.

Also, I find that with a big set up, I tend to play with less subtlety, because physically I am by definition "reaching" more.

I also now prefer the sound of the smaller drums in my set- they are sweeter and more melodious, so I now play 8, 10 , 14 toms and wish I had ordered a 20 inch bd instaed of 22inch.

Now I appreciate its horses for courses, and to a degree related to the type of music you play, but has anyone else had come to similar conclusions?

2 years ago I thought tony williams' "bong bong" highly tuned open kick sound was absurd- now it just love it

dave

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5306 Location: Kansas

Nice post, Dave. I am currently playing a 7-piece that I bought about a year and a half ago, and I am thinking that now I'd really like to get a custom 4-piece with relatively small drum sizes, such as those you mentioned. It won't happen for a while, but someday, I'll get it. I've come to know the merits of small kits myself, recently. Ideally, I'd like to have both -- one nice, little 4-piece as well as a bigger kit. Space and money obviously impede such a plan, but someday I'd like to see it happen. It's just nice to have the option of which kit to hop on for a jam or practice session, you know?

Josh02053 · Kitten Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 127

I completely agree that less is more. I used to have a plethora of cymbals. Now, I only have my hats and two rides.

MilkmanZ14 · Pit Bull Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 352

i agree with you guys, i like the smaller sized drums too, but more looks more impressive, and thats about it, but you don't get to learn one specific drum and learn how it sounds and how to play it certain ways
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Jonesie67 · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 3:55 pm Post subject:

I like 4 piece kits, but with lots of Cymbals...

FwuffyTheBunny · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 4:31 pm Post subject:

I actually just liek the standard regular 5 piece sets. I also like my drums small. I have a 10", 12", then a 14" floor tom. Also a regular 14x5.5" snare. Those are smaller then regular sizes(which I thin kare 12, 13, and 16?) but that's what I wanted when I bought this kit. I love them now. They have a muhc more musical sound rather than you sounding like your hitting cardboard. Although this setup does make you kit look skimpy. It seems like your set is nothing. There is big gaps between the drums. Like 1/2 a foot or so. But the sound is totally worth it. But my advise about getting such small drums and it looking skimpy would be too get lotsa cymbals. I know that's what I do. Although I just sold all my *Poop* ones, so all I have know are 1 crash, 1 splash. 1 ride, and 1 china. But those are good ones, A customs. I'm getting more soon to "fill out" my set. But lol back to topic, YES i definatly agree smaller sets are muhc better. More fun, more learning, overall BETTER lol.
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Live To Drum, Drum To Live

Zildjian! · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject:

I think a good rule of thumb is to have as many cymbals as you have drums. So for a 4 piece kit you'd probably have hats, a ride, a crash, and then either another crash (or ride) or an effect cymbal of some sort. That's just something that has seemed to work for me.

Also, amen on the tom sizes thing, Fwuffy. I really don't know why anyone complains about not getting a musical enough tom sound when they have 12", 13", and 16" toms tuned way down Rolling Eyes

Jonesie67 · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 5:57 pm Post subject:

I really want a kit that's 10, 16, 20, 14x4.75

rawrock · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:07 pm Post subject:

Yeah I love small kits. Hear are the sizes I'd want if i ordered a custom kit: 12x7 and 14x12 toms, 22x19 bass, and 13x5.5 snare.

david · Kitten Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 136 Location: UK

thanks for responses guys- i am really surprised by how popular smaller sizes are.

Josh- presumably you play Jazz with a 2 rides and no crashes set up?

Bytor what sort of music you play?

dave

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5306 Location: Kansas

healing_rain · Tadpole Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 29 Location: WI

Just joined here....thought I would through in my input- I love the small kits. If you thinking of going small, take a look at the 18" kicks. They are great. They can sound like a canon and they can be pulled back and give you that old jazz sound too.

I too have fallen victim to buying a big kit with tons of cymbals, a rack, a bunch of extras. But it seems as you grow as a drummer taste just seems to go back to the small stuff. It's a challenge to see what you can play on a small kit. Last year I bought an Ayotte Custom kit, 18" kick, 12" and 14" toms and a 14" snare. All wood hoops, it is amazing. Check them out if your thinking of getting a nice versitile small drum set.

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5306 Location: Kansas

Healing Rain, what did you pay for your Ayotte setup, if you don't mind me asking?

healing_rain · Tadpole Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 29 Location: WI

I got a great deal....and I bought it used locally.

I payed just for the shells, no hardware except for a tom mount and a few extra heads and screws and stuff. It ran about $1600 all together with shipping and stuff. The guy lived about two hours away from me and after I went and saw it and played on it, I knew it had to be mine. What a great deal that I haven't regreted to this day. The snare drum alone is worth it......check them out man. If you ever find one used, don't pass it up, you won't regret it.

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5306 Location: Kansas

You should post a picture of the kit!