Choosing the Right Drum Practice Pad to Learn How to Play Drums

Are you a new drummer or an experienced drummer? How do you know which type of drum equipment to choose, or which brand to you choose? If you are in a high school band, drum corps international (e.g. Blue Devils, Phantom, Santa Clara Vanguard, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts), or just a guy who works in a drum shop, this article is for you! We want you do know how to pick the right drum accessory, or better yet, the right practice pad.

With so many practice pads out there, how do you buy drum pads? To answer this, you need to know the type of drum music you will be playing, the environment you will be playing in, the precise drum equipment you will be playing, and your budget for buying drum a percussion pad.

So what type of practice pads are out there? Well, what do you want the percussion pad to feel like? Do you want it to feel like a bass drum practice pad, snare drum head, tenor practice pad, or just a plain drum practice pad. Is there specific brand that appeals to you like a Remo practice pad (Remo drum pad).

Would you play with a Vic Firth drum stick? Danmark? Don't just look for the average drum for sale. Choose best for your situation. If you can't be serious about that, then join the woodwind and brasswind section. Most people know of Reel Feel by HQ. Other styles are single sided, double sided where one side has a soft rubber and the other is a hard rubber made of neoprene. Drum pads are made different sizes too such 6" and 12." Other types of drum pads are mutes, which are made for drum kits (drum sets) for the drum heads and cymbals. Mutes are made in many different sizes and they make quiet practicing on option on the drum set.

What type of drum music do you play? Do you play Jazz? Are you a Drum Corp guy? Or, are you just learning how to play drum music? You need to know this so that your choice in a drum shop will be intelligent. Don't get a used drum pad. Buy drum pads that are best for your condition of playing.

How about your environment? Where are you practicing? Are you in a garage? Do you play in bedroom? How about at school? That is a funny one, if you are in a high school band, are you learning how to play drums in class? Sometimes drummers tap on their legs while in class. That's detention time my friend. Either way, anywhere, depending on your surroundings, you need to choose a drum pad that best suits your ears, feeling and the one that does not annoy other other drum bum. As most drummers know, there are many types of musical instrument accessory. When it comes to drum pads, there are also many types of drum practice pads.

Finally, what is your budget? Are you willing to spend $10 or $150? Most drum shops who sell single side and double side drum pads offer drum pads at an average of $45.00. You can expect shipping to be around $5-$10 depending on the drum shop and practice pad. Don't buy used drum pads. In addition to drum pads, these drum bum drum shops sell mallet bags, drum videos, drum books, many drum accessory and other drum equipment.

Choose wisely and happy hunting for your favorite drum practice pad.

The owner of DrumEx.com - Darren Tunstall, has been drumming and providing drum instruction for years. Since the start, he has gained much knowledge and he wants to share that information with you. Visit [http://www.drumex.com] or http://drumex.blogspot.com/

Percussion Practice Pads Part 2 - Which One Is Best For You?

In part one of this series of articles I described the two types of practice pads that are readily available through most merchants. In part two I will go into more detail in what makes these two styles different, and more specific details of each. To recap, the two types of pads are 1) the rubber top type, and 2) the standard drum head type.

Lets first examine the rubber top style pad

This style is the oldest type around, and offers the simplest design with two parts, the base and the rubber pad. Many people will remember the old style drum pad as a flat bottom piece of wood, with another piece of wood tilting up and secured to the bottom piece, with the rubber pad attached to that.

As mentioned previously, they are primarily made to provide the quietest sound, however many drummers prefer the feel over the drum head style pad. Nowadays, it is common to see these pads in shapes such as round, square, rectangular, and even octagonal, and can have varying thicknesses for the rubber, as well as base material. Most manufacturers use either natural rubber, or synthetic neoprene rubber, and both can provide a high quality drumming surface. Rubber thickness usually ranges from 1/8" to 1/4". This is an important feature as it does a lot to determine the volume produced, and will affect the feel or rebound as well. Generally, the better quality pads have 1/4" rubber as this provides the more solid, realistic bounce that drummers prefer. The color of the rubber is usually black or tan. The material used for the base is usually wood, or a wood composite, but it is common to see plastic as well. The heavier the overall pad, the better it plays, and the extra weight helps to keep the pad from moving around.

As with all drum pads, they are available in different size diameters. It is common for manufacturers to make pads 6" or 8", and up to 12" in diameter. There are also some inexpensive pads made with a 4" pad. Many people will prefer a larger diameter because it affords more room for playing, and this will help to simulate the feel of playing on a real snare drum. The smaller diameter pads generally weigh less are more convenient for carrying around. The problem with the smaller diameter pads is just that; smaller size equals less room for playing.

Now let's talk about the drum head style pad

Most drum head style pads are similar in construction. They have a base, usually made of plastic, padding material placed on the base, and then a drum head on top of that. The drum head and padding are then held in place by a plastic rim which is secured to the base with screws. These pads are often labeled as tunable, owing to the fact that the screws can be tightened or loosened, changing the tension on the drum head, and thereby changing the tone or sound that the pad produces. In this case, tuning does not refer to changing pit as much as adjusting the tone quality.

One notices immediately that a drum head style pad has a much louder sound than the rubber top pad. The reason behind using the drum head is to provide a surface that is as close to a real drum as possible, while still reducing the volume some, and providing a smaller unit for practice. As with the rubber top pads they come in various sizes, usually 6" or 8". Larger versions are also available. Because of the more complex construction of these pads they generally cost more than the rubber top style, however there are some very affordable models available. The drum head is what varies most from one manufacturer to the next. They will tend to use their own brand of drum head. Surface textures vary, some very smooth, some rough, and all in-between. This style does have features that the rubber top does not. It simulates the feel and appearance of a real drum, which some drummers like. The drum head also works well with brushes.

When making a decision on which pad to purchase you should really give both styles a quick tryout. The best thing to do is make a list of how and where you might want to use the pad, then go to a local music store and ask to try both styles. Then make your decision. It is not uncommon to have one of each; one for use at home, or during rehearsals, and another when the loudness is not an issue and you need to hear the patterns more clearly. Either way, you will invariable benefit from having a practice pad. It's easy to carry around with you and will inspire you to practice more often.

Now have fun playing!

Jamie Friedman, owner of MadPadz Percussion Products, and creator of The MadPad percussion practice pad, is an established musician and veteran educator with over 30 years of teaching experience. He encourages you to explore the many resources at http://www.MadPadz.com, and view his other articles for more valuable information.