I’m at a week-long business conference, and I certainly don’t see a drum kit in my hotel room. As a beginning drummer, though, I’m afraid if I stop practicing, I’ll lose what small progress I’ve made in technique during my first month of drumming. This entry describes some gear I’ve found that lets me keep progressing while traveling on business.
Six-inch practice pad from Vic Firth
Practice Pad. I’ve seen the jumbo practice pads with a diameter like a snare drum’s. They look cool, but you don’t need all that just to practice. It’s easier to pack the little six-inch practice pads. The one I happen to have is by Vic Firth. It’s not the least bit glamorous, but it sure works.
Sticks. Sticks offer the most affordable equipment in a drummer’s arsenal. I guess that’s why I’ve tried all different kinds of sticks, right from the start. I began with 5As made by, well, practically everybody. But as I experimented with other options, my preferences changed. Here are some picks and pans.
Vic Firth American Classic e-Stick. I have e-drums, and these advertise themselves as being made for e-drums. Perfect, right? Not for me. The pair I bought on line isn’t straight, and at 16 ½” inches long (an inch longer than standard sticks), they make no sense for my compact V-Drum kit. I can’t recommend them.
Vic Firth American Classics. I tried several basic hickory sticks, sized 5A, 5B, and 55A. Total “meh” – good enough; none of the Goldilocks feeling of “This one is juuuust right!”
Zildjian Trilok Gurtu Artist Series Drumstick. I found these accidentally, simply left out on a counter at Guitar Center. These sticks have a couple of layers of DIP, a special coating that feels soft yet slightly scratchy and tacky, making them much easier to hold onto. The thumb notch at the fulcrum helps the starkest beginner grip the sticks at the appropriate point, and really keeps the sticks from sliding forward or back in your hands. These hickory sticks have been stained walnut color which, combined with the yellow DIP handles, makes them stand out from the pack. I loved these sticks instantly. Every drummer I’ve shown them to has had the same reaction. Recommended.
Zildjian 7A Black Dip. These are the sticks I tossed into my suitcase. They have a single layer of DIP (compared to the Trilok’s double layer), striking a nice middle ground between a completely normal (read: slippery) wood stick, and the “I’m drumming while wearing training wheels” feel of the Trilok Gurtu Artist Series sticks.
Zildjian 7A Black DIP Drumsticks: Recommended
Drum Buddy Ken advises me that if you get sweaty when you play, the DIP can come off in your hands. Hasn’t happened to me yet, but consider yourself warned. Based on my experience: Recommended.
Metronome. You can practice just fine without a metronome, but as a newbie drummer, I crave the objectivity and timing discipline that a metronome enforces. Bringing one along doesn’t get any easier than “there’s an app for that!” My favorite is Visual Metronome for the iPhone. It boasts several advanced features for advanced drummers, but frankly, what I love is its simplicity. Turn it on in default mode, and it fills the iPhone’s entire screen with 1, 2, 3, 4 on the beat. You can adjust the sounds it makes, the volume, and much more, and I love having a prompt that combines both visual and aural cues.
So, there ya go. Taking your drum habit with you while traveling is easy. The only hard part on your business trip is finding an opportunity to practice. ##
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All these choices are personal and idiosyncratic. If you’re reading this, the odds are you have different preferences and more experience than I do. Feel free to list your faves in the comments. I’m a sponge for good tips!
Beat Senseless 