There is always one thing that most pro drummers won’t tell you–practicing helps you stay ahead of the game. With such vital information in mind, you want to practice as much as possible, but do you have enough space to allow everyday practice without the neighbours coming for your neck? The good news is that there are many ways of drumming silently and still get the most out of your drum pads. This article helps you maximize your space and enjoy some good practice, whether in a house, dorm, or apartment.
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A Little Organization Can Help
Practice drum pads are more silent compared to real drum kits. They can help keep your neighbours happy and still spare some space for you to practice. Drummers need lots of space, especially if there are additional accessories. For this reason, you will want to get a room for all your equipment and create a functional drum room at your home. You can set it up in the attic, in the basement, or around the garage.
If you don’t have any other option but your bedroom, you may want to make a few adjustments and find a drumming corner. Unlike drum sets, which can take up to half of your room, drum pads take less space. Get rid of things you don’t need and create space for your drum pads.
Don’t Just Stash Your Drums Into One Corner
Remember, you need to allow the natural movement of your body. You also have to make sure that you can access everything with ease, which may not be possible if you have piled everything in one corner. If you cannot reach some of your accessories or musical instruments, it becomes difficult to play and can even lead to injuries if there is no leg movement. Keeping instruments too close together may not work if you are planning to practice every day.
While it could make sense to put all your instruments in one corner due to lack of space, you won’t be a happy drummer if you can’t access them easily. This may look okay in the short term, but with time, it gets tiring and boring to move instruments to get what you want.
Determine the Type and Size of Your Drum Kit
Most drum pads are space-saving and affordable. However, they come in different shapes and sizes and what you choose heavily depends on your room size, style and comfort. If your drum pads are not-so-quiet, you may want to get a bigger space to allow noise disbursement. A lot of vibration may be transmitted through the floors and walls, depending on the material used to make the pads. Drum pads are made of different materials such as rubbers, plastics, and wood to deliver different resistances and improve sound quality and volume. Check out Sound Halo’s drum pads roundup page for drum pads that match your needs, style, and budget.
Put Away What You Don’t Use Regularly
The best and most prudent way to keep your drumming room organized and spacious is to store what you don’t need. Drumming requires quite a number of instruments, which are not always necessary in every practice. For instance, electronic drum kits require several pieces of equipment, like amplifiers and headphones. If you plan to practice every day, drum pads are enough to make your practice a success.
Take Advantage of Portability
The best thing about pads is that they are versatile and portable. If you don’t have enough room, you can easily pack and store them when not in use. If you prefer to use a different environment when drumming, drum pads can be the perfect addition for both practice and live performances. Most brands allow you to work or multitask while still doing what you are passionate about. You also want to consider the weight of the pad. Large, bulky, and heavy pads can be problematic to move around and store. Therefore, go for compact and lightweight drum pads.
Drum pads solve all your drumming problems by providing you with a versatile, lightweight, and portable way of keeping your skills sharp. However, space is not the only challenge you will encounter as a drummer. You need to know how to keep your drums quiet for a peaceful neighbourhood–it’s not impossible. With a little organization, investment in materials, and some little ingenuity, you can have a comfortable and enjoyable practice routine and maintain a friendship with your neighbours.
