Right height for drums

[CraiZE]

Could anyone try to tell me which height the drums should be? I know its variable, but a few things should be noticeably different playing wise if its not properly adjusted, right?

[Dabog666]

Yeah it makes quite a difference, roughly what height are you?

[CraiZE]

You mean my own height as in how tall I am?

[bart2712]

im not totally sure, as im still fiddling with this myself, but so far im finding i hit more notes if i keep the pads just a few inches above my knee when my foots on the kick pedal, but far enough above so my knee wont hit when i lift up a bit.

[davidshek]

Could anyone try to tell me which height the drums should be? I know its variable, but a few things should be noticeably different playing wise if its not properly adjusted, right?

There is no "right" height for the drum pads themselves. It's all a matter of personal preference. Some people like them higher, some like them lower.

I personally like them where if my elbows are at a 90 degree angle (forearms parallel to the floor), the tips of my drumsticks are just touching the pads. That way there's no extra strain on my arms holding them higher than they need to be, and all I need is wrist movement to bring the sticks up and down to the pads.

[Dabog666]

Yes the above poster is right, have it so that when you're holding the sticks ready before a song starts, they are just above the pads.

[toefer]

Yes the above poster is right, have it so that when you're holding the sticks ready before a song starts, they are just above the pads.

Which pads though? I assume yellow and blue.

I like playing with the yellow and blue raised slightly above my natural hand level, because then I feel like I focus more on playing, and less on just smacking pads that are underneath me. But I agree that its largely a personal preference.

[Dabog666]

I meant the Red and Green pads actually:D

[Kinnetik]

I would think part of it also has to do with the height at which your seating device is situated.

I know most use folding chairs.

I actually still had my old drum throne lying around!

I'll echo the thought that it makes long and fast notes easier to play if you have it so your arm is relaxed at a right angle and you can just tap it down.

[vtjustinb]

The drumset world varies a lot more than other percussion disciplines, but generally a good height lets you hold the sticks as a natural extension of your forearms (without a lot of wrist angle) and your thighs sit roughly parallel to the floor.

[blakbuzzrd]

There is no "right" height for the drum pads themselves. It's all a matter of personal preference. Some people like them higher, some like them lower.

I personally like them where if my elbows are at a 90 degree angle (forearms parallel to the floor), the tips of my drumsticks are just touching the pads. That way there's no extra strain on my arms holding them higher than they need to be, and all I need is wrist movement to bring the sticks up and down to the pads.Thanks much for this -- I've been trying to figure it out, and hoped someone with knowledge would cough up some basic principles like these. Going to adjust throne height now...

[davidshek]

Thanks much for this -- I've been trying to figure it out, and hoped someone with knowledge would cough up some basic principles like these. Going to adjust throne height now...

No no, don't adjust your throne height to match the drums. The throne height is dependent on your LEGS. Adjust the throne so your knee is at a 90-degree angle. Then adjust the DRUM height to where your arms are comfortable. Don't do it backwards :)

[blakbuzzrd]

No no, don't adjust your throne height to match the drums. The throne height is dependent on your LEGS. Adjust the throne so your knee is at a 90-degree angle. Then adjust the DRUM height to where your arms are comfortable. Don't do it backwards :)Aha. This is actually better, as I discovered my throne won't actually go any lower, anyway.