Help laying out drumset.

[lopxtc]

So we got our youngest a drumset for his birthday ... having never played drums before, whats the best way to layout the drumset?

Its a single bass drum, with two toms above it, a floor tom, snare drum and stand, high-hat with stand, and single splash ...

So just looking for the best layout that most people consider to be a typical drumset layout.

Thanks,

Aaron

[J.D.B.]

Is he right-handed or left? This view would be for a "rightie". The mirror image would be for a "leftie". Beyond that the "tuning" of the exact placements would be up to the player. I tend to keep things low, such that I don't have to hold my arms up high for long periods. Less shoulder work.
Josh

[fenderhutz]

I would personally use the smallest tom above the bass drum and the floor tom until he gets used to fills. Many pro drummers still use that setup.

Also get a kevlar pad for the kick drum head for where the beater hits.

Also get some 7A drumsticks and some Remo Hot Rods. Much easier on the ears and hands.

[lopxtc]

JDB ... He is righty, so that image works perfectly.

Thanks guys for the help and suggestions.

Aaron

[Zombbg4]

I agree with ditching the middle tom for a while. A lot of people who do this put a ride cymbal in it's place.

[baalroo]

more specifically (although there's no real "proper" placement this is how to get a decent comfortable play out of them)...

Have him sit in the throne with legs spread naturally and comfortably. Snare goes between the knees at a comfortable playing height. Bass drum goes with pedal straight with foot on ground. Hi-Hat is the same, but with left foot. Floor tom should be reachable without turning body to the right more than about 15 degrees. Small mounted tom should be higher than snare but roughly shoulder width to the right from snare (above bass drum). Lower mounted tom should be placed between high tom and floor so you can basically drag the tip of a drumstick across the heads of all three with one motion. Cymbal can go pretty much anywhere above the other drums where it can be easily reached with minimal effort without being in the way.

hope that helps

[lopxtc]

Cool thanks all for the advice ... once last question I promise.

Should the heads for the snare, floor tom, and toms mounted above the bass drum be level with the floor? Or should the have a slight forward lean towards him?

Aaron

[J.D.B.]

The snare would be placed at a slight angle to right if he holds his sticks "reversed". That is, holding the sticks, the left hand is facing palm-up, and the right hand is facing palm-down when playing. If your kid is playing "matched" then both palms face palm-down, and the snare can optionally be level, angled a bit right, or angled a bit back, to preference for good control and accuracy. I keep my snare flat, at sitting- thigh-height, for instance("matched"), and shift to "reversed" for some things, angling the snare a bit right( I was taught both holds). The rest of the drums angle to the player per preference(helping to lower effort for good play, ideally).This sort of stuff evolves over time as players become more adept. A teacher can give you a lot of help in this area as he/she will have your kid in front of them. Baalroo has a good grasp for a guide. Look around at how the pros do it. Lots of material out there(Google, YouTube, etc.). Seems bass players "ain't just fer breakfast, anymore!" huh?

One other thing: not to take issue, but put ALL the drums you have together. I started playing a kit at 10. I longed for the second ride tom for years while I waited to get my second kit. I had a single ride tom on my first kit while all my heroes at the time had at least BOTH toms out there. Don't underestimate the power of inspiration. My kid (10 now), became a pretty dedicated guitar player because one of his heroes plays a red Strat. When the time came, he bought the red Strat, and plays it most every day.

Josh

Jammin' with the men at the VFW!