When you start drumming, the surface you play on can really change how your drums sound. This is super important for new drummers to know. The playing surface mostly means the type of drumheads and the material of the drums. These factors affect the tone, sustain, and attack of the drums. Let’s break it down!
Drumheads come in different materials, and each has its own sound:
Mylar: This is a popular choice for drumheads, especially for beginners. Mylar heads create a balanced sound that is consistent. They are great for drummers who play different styles of music.
Natural Skin: These drumheads are made from animal skin and offer a warm, rich tone. They are often used in jazz and blues. However, they can change in sound with humidity and temperature, making them less reliable than synthetic drumheads.
The material of the drum shell also affects the sound of the drum. Here are some common types:
Wood: Most drums are made of wood, like birch or maple. Birch gives a bright and punchy sound, while maple is warmer and resonates more. Thinner shells usually sound louder and have a longer sustain.
Metal: Drums made from metal, such as steel or aluminum, have a sharper sound. These are often used in rock music because they project well and are very punchy.
The surface you drum on can also change how you play. For instance, if you’re drumming on a softer surface like carpet, it feels different than drumming on a hard surface like a wooden stage. This can change how you hold your sticks and how hard you hit the drums.
Rebound: On a hard surface, your sticks bounce back more. This means you can play faster with less effort. On a soft surface, it absorbs some of your energy, making you hit harder and use more control.
Volume and Dynamics: Different surfaces will also change how you control volume and how you play softly or loudly. A softer drumhead is better for quiet playing, while a harder surface is great for strong, loud hits.
As you start your drumming adventure, knowing how different surfaces affect sound can help you choose the right gear and how you play. Trying out different materials can be a fun way to find your own sound, so don’t be shy about experimenting!
When you start drumming, the surface you play on can really change how your drums sound. This is super important for new drummers to know. The playing surface mostly means the type of drumheads and the material of the drums. These factors affect the tone, sustain, and attack of the drums. Let’s break it down!
Drumheads come in different materials, and each has its own sound:
Mylar: This is a popular choice for drumheads, especially for beginners. Mylar heads create a balanced sound that is consistent. They are great for drummers who play different styles of music.
Natural Skin: These drumheads are made from animal skin and offer a warm, rich tone. They are often used in jazz and blues. However, they can change in sound with humidity and temperature, making them less reliable than synthetic drumheads.
The material of the drum shell also affects the sound of the drum. Here are some common types:
Wood: Most drums are made of wood, like birch or maple. Birch gives a bright and punchy sound, while maple is warmer and resonates more. Thinner shells usually sound louder and have a longer sustain.
Metal: Drums made from metal, such as steel or aluminum, have a sharper sound. These are often used in rock music because they project well and are very punchy.
The surface you drum on can also change how you play. For instance, if you’re drumming on a softer surface like carpet, it feels different than drumming on a hard surface like a wooden stage. This can change how you hold your sticks and how hard you hit the drums.
Rebound: On a hard surface, your sticks bounce back more. This means you can play faster with less effort. On a soft surface, it absorbs some of your energy, making you hit harder and use more control.
Volume and Dynamics: Different surfaces will also change how you control volume and how you play softly or loudly. A softer drumhead is better for quiet playing, while a harder surface is great for strong, loud hits.
As you start your drumming adventure, knowing how different surfaces affect sound can help you choose the right gear and how you play. Trying out different materials can be a fun way to find your own sound, so don’t be shy about experimenting!