13 replies to this topic

[man-machine]

Hi, I'm the NOoBiSt of n0oBs and I can't quite get comfortable sitting at the set. I'm not sure how I should be. What throne height? Is something like "thighs level" a good guideline?

My main problem is my right foot on the bass pedal, I'm getting fatigue really quick, my heel should definately not be elevated off the floor, correct? I think *maybe* I'm sitting in too tight, too crammed in??

[melteddrummer]

If your getting fatigued try raising your seat so that your waist is a couple of inches higher than your knees, that way your not lifting the weight of your leg as much, it'll save you a bit of back ache too.

It takes a while to find your comfy spot. I also have my snare and floor tom the same height, just about in line with my waist.

Hope this helps, Andy.

[dormouse1976]

I've have literally just changed the layout of my kit.

Now this is how I find mine to be comfortable, but I assume everybody will have things slightly different for person preference.

The throne is set so my hips are a couple of inches higher than my kness.

The snare and floor tom are set to the same height the bottom of the snare is about the same level as my knees.

The floor tom is angled towards snare drum.

The floor tom and snare are about an inch either side of my right leg. (I play right handed).

When sat, the hips are higher than the knee and the ankle is in front of the knee.
Now I've rotated the base drum slightly rather than having it directly in front of me as my foot was not sitting flush on the peddle.

The high and mid toms are set as high as possible, but steeply angled towards the snare without resting on the shell of the bass drum, and keeping a very small distance between them. This helps to avoid hitting rims inadvertently.

The high hat peddle is located equidistant from the body as the bass peddle just on the other side of the snare drum.

The crash (I only have one) is located between the high hat and the high tom. It is angled slightly towards me, low enough to be able to play any part facing me, but without hitting any thing else if belted, but high enough not to mean you have to avoid it to play the high hat or high tom.

Finally, the ride cymbal, is set between the mid tom and floor tom using the same theory as for the high hat.

[man-machine]

I can't thank you enough. This is ENORMOUSLY helpful. It gives me "proven" ideas and`options I can try.

I've heard just a few other basics: "Snare between the legs, h-h at 11:00, 6" above snare"

All that sounds reasonable but I needed more details. The kit is like a dirtbike, if you're not fussy about how it's setup it makes for a less than perfect experience, more tiring, less fun, less enjoyment. Thanks a bunch! Jaime

[melteddrummer]

Your welcome.

[carox]

I spent years trying to get comfortable with my kit. I raised this issue on here, and (if I'm remembering it right) the starting points are: getting the throne the right height for your hips/back; getting yourself comfortable on the pedals so your legs aren't twisted; and getting the snare in the right place so you can play with relaxed arms/shoulders.

Throne: my physio has told me in the past that that's better for your back/hip/sacroiliac joints to have your thighs at a slight downwards angle from your hips.

Pedals: it was suggested to me to take out the snare and get your throne positioned so that your feet are comfortable on the pedals. You need to have your feet in line with your thighs and lower leg, ie not twisted (I didn't pay attention to this initially and had some trouble with my right knee as a result). I think you should be able to rest your heel on the pedal (I remember my teacher telling me between bass drum hits "drop/rest your heel"). When you've got your pedals sorted, drop in the snare. For me, one of the "lightbulb moments" was when I realised I didn't have to sit square on to the bass drum. Once you've got the throne height and position relative to the pedals sorted, you should be able to see where the snare needs to go and a comfortable height for it. I sit at a slight angle to the bass drum, facing slightly to the left (keeping my legs in line means my foot doesn't rest completely square on the pedal but I don't find that's a problem)

The toms/cymbals then is a matter of "reach" and being able to hit them comfortably. That's all a matter of trial and error, over the course of years (or was for me anyway). I also have my floor tom at pretty much the same height as my snare, angled a just little towards it, and my snare is angled a little towards me (my teacher had his angled away from him, and I've seen various angles in various videos).

You mentioned perhaps you're sitting "too crammed in". That might be a "beginners error" because I know I certainly started out like that. Just keep fiddling with things. Like everyone has said, it can take a while.

[tenorsextets]

Finding that perfect set up is difficult. What I would do is take a day (or an afternoon) and deconstruct my kit. I start with the throne and kick drum and play a few notes to find that perfect height/distance from the drum; then add snare, then hats, then toms, etc. It's a long process, but in the end you'll be much happier and comfortable. There's no point in reaching far for a cymbal or tom if you can move it closer. Think like old big band drummers (Carl Palmer is a good example too): shortest and straightest line from point A to point B.

[man-machine]

Yes, thank you, I'm a little torn between sitting back, relaxed, away from the kit with a more natural right leg approach to the bass drum and then me-thinky:

"Hey, up close I don't need to reach as far"

So one idea kind of conflicts with the other. My height is exactly average for a male, 5-8 & 1/2" so no real issues there. I'm understanding now my right heel should NOT be elevated off the floor but the bass pedal does get used with the ball of the foot correct?

[KBaker]

depends on your playing style. I play heel up, generally.. depends on the setting, but 90% of the time I play heal up.

[carox]

Yes, you do use the ball of your foot on the bass pedal, but playing "heel up" doesn't mean you have your leg tensed up keeping the heel up all the time. You bring your foot up to play it, and you also need to be able to relax it.

Me-thinky - just start playing around with stuff ! Comfort is the key. If you're comfortable and sitting naturally, then (I think, being no expert) reaching for stuff is not going to be damaging in the long term whereas sitting awkwardly could be.

(Sorry - but all this is bringing back all the stuff my teacher used to tell me. He told me my arms were sticking out because I was too close to the snare, but when I sat back a little I whined that I couldn't reach the toms. To which he replied (with long suffering sigh) "You can move your arms a bit you know" !! )