4 piece drum set.

slingerland · #11 (**permalink**) 02-28-2009, 07:35 PM

I started with a 4 piece set and went to a 5 piece set, if you look around most Jazz Drummers use a 4 piece set, you can play a 4 piece set without being heldback or whatever you think may happen to you, some of the best Drummers in the World used and still use a 4 piece set and if that's really bothering you save your money and buy a bigger set, but in REALITY a 4 piece set is a fantastic set to start out with I started out with one 42 years ago and bought another 4 piece set than a 5 and probably will go back to 4 and I play and teach. GOOD LUCK WHATEVER YOU DO
SLINGERLAND

Gus · #12 (**permalink**) 02-28-2009, 10:04 PM

this is a good four piece player!

YouTube - Smart Bomb

punk has a lot of 4 pieces, metal Ive only seen 3 4 pieces... 10 14 16 sounds cool!

**Tainojim** · #13 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Drummer? Percussionist? Drum Playing? Bang, bang bang? Noise? Organized Noise? NO!

Organized sound, beats, whether with a four piece or a 40 piece.

This brand or that brand.

Too much variation or not enough.

Some play by ear, while others play by tabs.

Either way, it's all music or it's all noise to some.

Respect, so as to be respected. It's earned, not given.

Those who listen, may learn something, but, as we all get older, we all tend to slow down.

Reflexes, thinking, playing and contemplating.

If you play Jazz or Metal and so on,you get by with a four piece.
If you are versatile with a 4 piece, great!

I don't hear many of you Drummers reflecting on Classical, Orchestral, and so on, where more means to get it done right.

"Oh", Don't forget to add some Kettle Drums and Gongs to get certain types of music just right.

That's what really counts. Some like fast cars, Some just need to get from point "A" to point "B".

Manny Blessing to All,
Tainojim-Native American

justlovetodrum · #14 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 05:33 AM

Starting sticking with 4 pc kits long ago, primarily due to giging. Who wants to lug more from rehearsals to gigs all week long? I play everything from 60's to date rock and dance Pop, Dixie Land bop, R&B to country waltzs and never miss the extra tom(s). Well, except for the occasional long rolls of Peter Cris in Kiss! One tom, bass and one floor and a Bonham triplet will get you far.
It's the groove I'm always hired for, improvise with style and lay down the groove and save your time for playing, not lugging equipment around. As others have mentioned, you could use some more cymbals.
Groove on...

**Tainojim** · #15 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 10:24 AM

justlovtodrum has made me edit this post because he feels that it was offensive.
I'm sorry.
He just joined the four piece thread, and he reminded me that this forum is not to be used to express my opinion.
And he's right to keep this as a four drum limit.

justlovetodrum · #16 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 10:52 AM

Jimi,
Please do not waste others time here.
'Oh I'm just having an intelegent conversasion with my self.' , which was the post before the spelling errors were corrected by someone, simply prevents the intelligent conversation from occuring and weakening your point, if there is one.
The original question was if a 4 pc was hurting or holding back the players ability to get better. Most of us are trying to intelligently offer support and grounding. No one doubts that more things to hit can increase options and different musical styles demand different tools.

Get the Native American chip off your shoulder and offer sound help to the poster. This is not a political blog as I understand it. Let's talk drums.

**Tainojim** · #17 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 12:39 PM

My first drum set was a 1959 Rock Ludwig Black Onyx 4 pcs kit with two Paiste cymbals. I learned to be versatile, agile, and creative. I got my first kit when I was 11 years old, I started with another drummer's kit a 4pcs Gretsch when I was only 8. When I reach adolescence I had the privilege to play my 4 pcs kit with Sly and the Family Stone at a jam session . I was lucky to be in a band with a guitarist whose brother was the equipment manager for Sly and got invited to partake. If it wasn't for the rest of the guys in the band, it would have been impossible for me to carry my kit around.
Thanks for the memories that all the new drummers today have given me.

Hey justlovetodrum, welcome to the forum.

**Der Trommler** · #18 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 12:44 PM

justlovetodrum,

Well said.

On to the question...

Quote:

soo i am wondering if my simple set up is may b limiting my abilities to become a better drummer.

would a bigger set up help me get better and faster and learn newer techniques?

1) I don't believe it is limiting your ability to be a better drummer. An example (and not the only by a long shot) would be Buddy Rich. He was rudimentary perfect and played a small kit to perfection. I consider him to be at or near the very top of the best ever list, and his smaller set never hindered his ability.

2) A bigger set would only let you play a wider spectrum of styles is all, and in that interest might help you learn technique used in playing a bigger kit. A bigger set is not necessarily going to make you faster or better.

dinaaa · #19 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 12:34 AM

ur ok on the toms but defantly get a ride like zildjian a custom ping or k hybrid....then get a china (oriental is the way to go) and then like a zel-bel to go ontop of ur 19 crash and then u r pretty much set!

slingerland59 · #20 (**permalink**) 03-09-2009, 11:33 PM

For me the trick to getting "better and faster" and to learning new techniques is to practice, plain and simple. A lot of that improvement can happen on a practice pad or telephone book or when you're sitting on a curb waiting for someone with no sticks or drums around. And challenging fills and beats can be played on two toms or twenty toms -- it doesn't much matter if you've got killer feel and lay down a killer groove.

Anything you can do to motivate yourself to practice is good. If that means building a bigger set so you can't wait to play it, go for it. I played a 4-piece kit with a single bass pedal for many years and it served me well. Now that I'm older and jealous of the rockers playing monster kits with two or more bass drums -- I never did become the rock star I wanted to be -- I'm trying to build my kit up.

I think the huge learning curve is double bass and open playing (left hand ride patterns played as fluently as right hand ride patterns). If you've already got a double bass pedal then I'd save up for two rides, one on each side of your kit.

Rock on!