How To To Make Your Drum Life Easier

• A positive attitude makes all the difference in musician to musician relationships.
• Practice everyday to keep loose - 20 minutes is better than nothing.
• Always arrive at the gig earlier than you're supposed to.
• Carry a spare snare head and snare cord.
• Learn your drum parts completely before rehearsal.
• Playing in between songs is really amateurish sounding.
• Never argue about anything on stage.
• Getting drunk and playing drums at a gig is NOT the cool thing to do. Having a friend or cab drive you home after getting drunk at the gig IS the cool thing to do.
• Keep the breaks at gigs precisely the time agreed upon.
• Have plenty of drumsticks, especially if you play loud.
• Use a personal monitor that is easy to hear and portable to set up.
• Compliment band members for playing well.
• Refrain from mentioning band members mistakes.
• Listen carefully to the other musicians and play to compliment them.
• A bass drum mic is essential in most band situations, except very low volume playing or rehearsals.
• Wear very comfortable bass drum friendly shoes when possible.
• Bring a small "pocket practice pad" and warm up a few minutes before the the show.
• A drum gear checklist is a good idea if you break your equipment down into smaller pieces.
• If you always transport your own drums consider quality drum bags like Beato or Humes and Berg instead of hard cases.
• A heavy duty baseball bat bag can be a very light and affordable drum hardware bag.
• Keep your cymbal hole protective seating and washers in top shape to prevent cymbal damage.
• Look sharp (as Joe Jackson would say) for the gig or show.
• Remember your brushes, mallets, and breath mints - just in case.
• Keep a small powerful fan in your trunk just in case your drumming gets too HOT! (sorry, couldn't resist)
  

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