4 piece drum set.

JJ kay slay · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 03:11 AM

soo i play a four piece drumset.
snare. tom. floor tom. and bass drum.
dbl bass pedal
and i only use high hats. a 18 inch crash. and a 19 inch crash which i use as a ride.

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?

some info on this would be helpful thnx =]

Harry · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 05:14 PM

Hi JJ,

I looked at your profile and you actually have quite a decent set up.
For a punk kit would be quite allright but I think for rock you might want to consider an extra tom, and maybe a proper (dedicated) ride, like a Paiste 2002. That way you can free your 19 inch crash up for an extra effect/color in your sound.
I know that is going to cost quite a bit, but then you would have a nice quality, versatile kit.

Cheers, Harry

shazaam · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:20 PM

Well, what kind of music do you play? Lot of "screamo"/metalcore drummers use setups perty similar and...well...just listen to the drummers :P If you're a good drummer you can sound good on any set almost.

zildian999 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 11:10 AM

My first set was a Ludwig Rocker set, haha. And I took the top tom off, and used the 12" and 14" toms. It helps get faster fills, and it sounds better. The 10" tom sounded pingy like a coffee can. So if I were you, keep the 4 piece set. But as far as the cymbals, I would DEFINITELY get some more, and make sure to get a ride. Crash cymbals are good for fast decay, but a ride cymbal is what it sounds, the sound rides out, therefore making the sound last longer. Also, try using a splash cymbal, this will give you a very crashy, very high pitched and fast decayed sound. I love adding in a few splashes when I'm playing with my band, it gives the rythym an extra sound, and sometimes sounds better than a fill. =]

RockJazz2112 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:24 PM

I am using a set up almost the same as you except with a few more cymbals. I also use roto toms because they just sound so cool to me.

Anyways, i dont thin that because you use a four peice kit it will limit your talent. Look and buddy rich, a lot of his stuff and even some of his solos can be played on a four peice kit and he is, in my opinion a great drummer. You can come up with some very talented stuff just using your snare, bass, and hi-hats.

JJ kay slay · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 01:01 AM

thnx guys.

and i have added a few more things since i last posted.
a 12" tama metal snare
16" floor
16" crash
12"china

**Tainojim** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 09:34 PM

My first set was a 1959 Ludwig Rock kit. I was 11. My parents were nice enough to buy me a Paiste crash/ride cymbal and latter on I bought Paiste Hi-Hat. Now I'm 57 with a 9 piece Gretsch kit. And no I still don't live with my folks.
You will learn to improvise with a small kit in the beginning. and then again, allot of Jazz drummers still use 4 piece kits with one cymbal and a hi-hat.
But should you need to expand your kit later on, you'll be playing allot more different riffs.
It's all up to you,

Happy Drumming.

Infero Exicution · #8 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 10:06 PM

Possibly...
If u have a five peice, u can hit the drums from snare to floor tom
real easy.
If your set cant fit another tom next to the current one on the bass drum,
and you want a 5 peice, not gonna happen.
Just a suggestion.
Good luck with your final desistion!
PEACE!!!

Thumpthdrum · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 10:17 PM

The size of the kit being limited depends on the player. Playing on a smaller kit demands a little more creativity.

don11817 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-28-2009, 02:14 AM

I have had 5 toms and am now down to 2...its about style. My V-kit still has 4 toms, but I find that I still play it very close to the way I am playing my acoustic with 2 toms. I dunno.. I guess because I know that when I'm gigging I use the smaller kit so I practice (subconsciously) the same way???

I have found that by simplifying my setup a bit, I still have a versatile palette, but I have to approach playing differently--"less is more" kind of approach. The people I play with appreciate it more too, they say there is a deeper pocket to my play style than other guys with big flashy kits, and my fills are more "tasty" instead of busy...

Again, it is (i'm sure) about personal preference. Although I have to admit, I'm a cymbal junkie and I have way more cymbals than drums lol. 3 crashes, 2 chinas, hihats, ride, 3 splashes... A bit obsessive with cymbals, but they do more for me than the drums do....