Understanding Drum Sizes for Bass, Toms and Snares

Did you know that the size of your drums can have a huge affect on your sound? Whether you’re a budding drummer or a seasoned pro, understanding drum sizes is crucial to crafting your unique rhythm. In this guide, we’ll dive into the world of drum kit dimensions, exploring how each size contributes to your overall sound.

The Heart of Your Kit: Kick Drum Sizes

Alright, let’s talk about kick drums (aka bass drums)! I’ve been playing drums for over 30 years now, and I gotta tell you, the kick drum is like the heartbeat of your entire kit. It’s what gets people moving on the dance floor and shakes the walls of your garage during practice sessions.

I’ve owned drum kits with 18″, 20″, 22″ and 24″ kick drums, and each of them have their place.

So, let’s break it down. Kick drums typically range from 18″ to 24″ in diameter. That might not sound like a big difference, but trust me, those few inches can completely change your sound. The 18″ kick is like the little engine that could – it’s punchy and tight, perfect for jazz or fusion. On the other hand, a 24″ kick is like a thunderstorm in a drum shell. It’s got that deep, boomy sound that rock drummers drool over.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The size of your kick drum doesn’t just affect the volume – it’s all about the tone and sustain too. Smaller kicks (18″-20″) have a higher pitch and shorter sustain. They’re snappy and responsive, which is great for fast, intricate footwork. Larger kicks (22″-24″) have a lower pitch and longer sustain. They’re like the Barry White of drums – deep, rich, and resonant.

Let’s talk genres for a sec. In jazz, you’ll often see 18″ or 20″ kicks. They’re perfect for those quick, subtle accents and won’t overpower the rest of the band. Rock and metal? That’s where the big boys come out to play. 22″ and 24″ kicks are common, giving you that chest-thumping low end that cuts through distorted guitars.

But wait, there’s more! We haven’t even talked about drum depths yet. Kicks can range from around 14″ to 20″ deep. Shallower drums (14″-16″) are punchier and more focused, while deeper drums (18″-20″) have more low-end rumble and volume.

Personally, I’ve I’ve found that the sweet spot for me are two 20″ kick drums. My old Sonor SQ2 kit had two 20″ x 16″ medium shelled birch kicks, and I always felt like they took up a little too much space and could have been shallower since I tend to play mostly metal music when at home. So now I have two 20″ x 14″ Sonor Vintage series kick drums, which have medium beech shells and I much prefer the sound and feel of these.

I also just happened to have enough additional gear so that I could split my large drum kit into two smaller kits if I needed to (which I have done a few times before). I might have half of it in a rehearsal space and the other half at home for practice. Or half of it in a recording studio and the rest in the car to to go a gig. Pretty handy!

Pro Tip: If you’re struggling with too much sustain from a larger kick, try adding some dampening inside the drum. A small pillow or a specialized drum muffler can work wonders. Just don’t go overboard – you don’t want to choke the life out of your drum!

At the end of the day, there’s no “perfect” kick drum size. It all depends on your playing style, the music you’re making, and the contexts you’re playing in. My advice is to try out as many different sizes as you can. Borrow drums from friends, test kits at your local music store, and don’t be afraid to experiment.

I see a lot of serious player actually have multiple different sized kick drums for their kits, just so they can swap them out depending on the situation. For example, they might use a 22″ in the recording studio, but then take a shallower 20″ on tour because it fits on the stage more easily.

Whether it’s an 18″ jazz kick or a 24″ rock monster, find the one that speaks to you. And hey, you might end up with a few different kicks for different occasions. Because let’s face it, you can never have too many drums, right?

Tom-Toms: Crafting Your Melodic Rhythms

Let’s dive into the world of tom-toms, folks! These babies are like the unsung heroes of your drum kit. They’re what give your fills that sweet, melodic flow and add depth to your grooves. I’ve been tinkering with tom sizes for years and have I learned a thing or two.

So, let’s break it down. Rack toms typically range from 8″ to 14″ in diameter. These are the ones mounted on your bass drum or on stands.

Floor toms are the big boys. They usually run from 14″ to 18″ in diameter. My go-to floor tom is a shallower 16″. It’s like the goldilocks of floor toms – not too high, not too low, just right. But I’ve played around with 14″ and 18″ floor toms too. The 14″ is great for tighter, more controlled jazz sounds, while the 18″ gives you that deep, thunderous boom for death metal!

Here’s where it gets interesting: the size of your toms doesn’t just affect the volume, it’s all about pitch and resonance too. Smaller toms have a higher pitch and less sustain. They’re snappy and articulate, perfect for those quick, intricate fills. Larger toms have a lower pitch and more sustain.

I’ve owned many kits with what they call “fusion size” toms (even sizes) – they had 8″, 10″ and 12″ rack toms. These days, I tend to just have two rack toms in front of me for ergonomic reasons, so I prefer to just use a 10″ and 12″, and a floor tom either size of me. I guess I like symmetry. (Plus, I focus more on my left side now, by trying to do more ambidextrous playing).

Speaking of genres, let’s talk about popular tom configurations. In jazz, you’ll often see smaller setups – usually a 12″ rack tom and a 14″ floor tom. It’s all about control and finesse. Rock drummers tend to go bigger – 12″ and 13″ rack toms with a 16″ floor tom is a classic setup. Prog rock on the other hand will use everything from 8″ to 18″ in one kit!

Pro Tip: when choosing tom sizes, think about the intervals between them. You want each tom to have a distinct pitch, but still sound like part of a family so everything gels together.

Tuning is crucial too. Smaller toms are easier to tune higher, while larger toms naturally gravitate towards lower pitches. But don’t be afraid to experiment!

One thing that often gets overlooked is the depth of the toms. Shallower toms (like 8″x7″ or 10″x8″) have a quicker attack and less sustain. Deeper toms (like 12″x10″ or 16″x16″) have more body and resonance. Personally, I prefer slightly shallower rack toms for faster decay, plus I can position them lower and flatter which I find easier to play.

At the end of the day, there’s no “perfect” tom configuration. It all depends on your playing style, the music you’re making, and what feels right to you, so feel free to experiment! I would also recommend taking photos of each kit configuration so that you can document it, and refer to it later to recall what the setup felt like to play.

Find the tom combination that speaks to you. In fact, you might end up with a few different setups for different occasions, because you just never know what you’re going to need.

Snare Drums: The Backbone of Your Beats

The snare drum is like the lead singer of your drum kit. It’s front and center, and it’s what gives your beats that crisp, snappy punch. It seems most drummers end up with more than a few to choose from!

Most snares you’ll come across are either 14″ in diameter. These sizes have become standard for a reason – they’re versatile and they just work. My go-to snare is a 14″x6″ because it gives me that perfect balance of crack and body. But don’t sleep on the 13″ snares! They’ve got this higher pitch that can really cut through a mix. (I have one of those too!)

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: the depth of your snare. This is where you can really start to shape your sound. Snare depths typically range from about 3.5″ to 8″. Generally speaking, shallower snares are great for jazz and funk, whereas deeper snares are better for rock and metal.

If you’re not sure what depth to go for, start with a 5″, 5.5″ or 6″ deep snare, as you’ll find that it’s just right for most styles.

Now, let’s talk materials. Wood vs metal snares is like the great debate of the drum world. Both can sound amazing, but they definitely have different characteristics. Wood snares tend to be warmer and have more overtones. They’re great for that classic rock sound. Metal snares, on the other hand, are typically brighter and have more bite. They really cut through in live settings, and that wall of guitar cabs!

You might be surprised to learn that a lot of bands tend to use different snare drums to record different songs on the same album. It’s about using the right instrument for the song!

When it comes to choosing between wood and metal, size can play a big role. In general, metal snares tend to project more, so you can get away with slightly smaller sizes. A 13″x5″ metal snare can have just as much presence as a 14″x6.5″ wood snare. It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your style.

Speaking of style, that’s really what it all comes down to. The right snare size for you depends on what kind of music you’re playing and how you like to play. If you’re into jazz or playing in small venues, a 13″ or 14″ snare with a shallower depth (like 4″ or 5″) might be perfect. It’ll give you that tight, controlled sound that works well at lower volumes.

For rock or pop, you might want to go with a 14″ snare with a bit more depth – maybe 6″ or 6.5″. This’ll give you more body and volume to compete with those cranked-up guitars.

And if you’re into heavy metal or hard rock, don’t be afraid to go even deeper. A 14″x8″ snare can give you that cannon-like sound that’ll cut through anything, and the ghost notes will sound much more pronounced.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to have more than one snare. I know, I know, drums are expensive. But having even just two different snares can really expand your sonic palette. I’ve got a 14″x6″ bronze snare which I use for metal, and a 13″x5″ beech wood which I use for jazz gigs. I had a 12″ snare once, but I found that for jazz it was too small to play brushes on.

The Ludwig Supraphonic and the Ludwig Black Beauty are some of the most iconic and most recorded snare drums in history. So no doubt you have heard these, even if you were not aware of it at the time.

Remember, your snare is the backbone of your beats. It’s worth taking the time to find the right one. And hey, once you do, you’ll be laying down grooves that’ll make even the toughest critics nod their heads.

Specialty Drums: Expanding Your Sonic Palette

Alright, drum enthusiasts, let’s talk about specialty drums! These bad boys are like the secret weapons in your drumming arsenal. They’re the spices that can turn a bland beat into a flavor explosion.

Let’s start with piccolo snares. These little firecrackers are typically 13″ or 14″ in diameter, but their depth is what makes them special – usually only between 3″ and 4″. These snares are perfect for those tight, funky ghost notes or for cutting through a dense mix.

Pro Tip: don’t think piccolo snares are just for high pitches. Try tuning it down low for a fat, punchy sound that has all the attack of a piccolo with the body of a deeper snare.

Now, let’s talk about the complete opposite end of the spectrum – gong drums and oversized toms. These monsters can range from 20″ all the way up to 24″ or even bigger. The low end is so massive! They can add this incredible depth to your sound that you just can’t get with standard toms.

Speaking of standard toms, let’s not forget about oversized toms. I’m talking 16″ or 18″ rack toms, 20″ floor toms. These beasts can give you some serious low end. I used to have a Sonor Force 3005 drum kit with 16″ and 18″ floor toms and it felt incredible to hit both at the same time! The 18″ was especially thunderous!

Now, let’s shift gears and talk about effects cymbals. These little noisemakers can really spice up your grooves. Splash cymbals, typically ranging from 6″ to 12″, are like the exclamation points of your drum kit. They’re quick, bright, and can add these lovely accents to your playing. I love using a 10″ splash for quick accents in verses or to punctuate the end of a fill.

China cymbals are like the rebellious cousins of the cymbal family. They’ve got this trashy, explosive “pah” sound that can really cut through a mix. Sizes typically range from 12″ to 22″. I tend to use 18″ Chinas which are especially great for accenting heavy rock or metal tracks.

Then there’s stack cymbals. Oh man, these are fun! A stack is basically two or more cymbals… well, stacked on top of each other. The result is this quick, trashy sound that’s sounds like a tightly close crunchy hi-hat. I find that cymbal stacks in the 16″ range tend to be the most versatile. If they’re 18″ or more they can be pretty obnoxious.

So, how can these specialty accessories enhance your setup? Well, it’s all about expanding your sonic palette. Think of your standard drum kit as your vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice-creams. These specialty drums and cymbals are like adding sprinkles, lollies and caramel sauce on top of your sundae. Mmmm!

Pro Tip: Start small. Maybe add a piccolo snare to your setup for those tracks that need a little extra snap. Or try a splash cymbal for some quick accents. As you get comfortable, you can start experimenting with gong drums or stacked cymbals.

Remember, the goal isn’t to use every specialty drum on every song. It’s about having options. It’s about being able to reach for that perfect sound when the music calls for it.

So go ahead and expand your sonic palette. Your beats will thank you, and your bandmates (and audience) will be blown away by your new sounds. Just remember to practice restraint – sometimes less is more, but having those extra options can make all the difference when you need them.

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Now that you’ve explored the world of drum sizes, you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions about your kit. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach – your perfect drum setup is as unique as your playing style.

Drum kits come in many different forms and variations. Check out these articles for help on choosing a drum kit, the best drum sets for beginners, and the best electronic kits if you need to keep the noise down.