The term “drum throne” comes from the idea that a drummer is the leader or “king” of a band, so their seat is fit for royalty. As drummers help to lead the tempo and drive a song, their “throne” serves as a way for the entire band to stay in sync and keep the performance going.
Early drum sets were quite large and bulky, so the upright seat of a chair was the obvious choice to make it easier for the musician to play. As drum sets and stools became more compacted and easier to transport, the “drum throne” was born.
Since then, drum chairs or thrones have become a staple in modern drum kits, with many height-adjustable and ergonomic options available. The throne’s main purpose is to provide the drummer comfort and stability while playing; in essence, it provides support, allowing an unrestricted range of motion.
The throne then thus serves as an integral piece for a drummer to practice and perform with ease.
How important is a good drum throne?
A good drum throne is incredibly important for a drummer’s comfort and performance. The throne provides critical stability, which helps the drummer maintain proper posture while playing. In addition, a good drum throne prevents back-pain and fatigue by providing an ergonomic seat that offers the proper height, cushioning, and support needed for extended periods of time.
Furthermore, a well-built, professional-grade drum throne allows the drummer to easily adjust the height and tilt of the seat, which helps to maintain the correct playing posture and improve the quality of the sound produced by the drums.
Lastly, a good drum throne will also have features like clamping legs and a padded seat that help to keep the drummer secure and in control while playing.
What should I look for in a drum throne?
When searching for the right drum throne, you should consider comfort, adjustability, padding, and durability.
Comfort: It is essential to find a seat that is comfortable enough for hours of playing. Depending on your size and body type, you may need to look into multiple types of seats to find the one that fits you best.
Consider different heights, widths, and materials when evaluating the comfort of a seat.
Adjustability: The ability to adjust the height and angle of the seat is an often overlooked but extremely important feature. You want to be able to make adjustments so you are playing in a position that is comfortable for you, that gives you the best reach for each instrument, and will help you avoid pain from bad posture.
Look for drums thrones that can be adjusted easily and lock into place firmly.
Padding: You want to look for a seat that offers plenty of padding. While there are limited padding options for popular budget drum thrones, you may want to consider more expensive options with increased comfort levels if flexibility and better ergonomics matter to you.
Durability: When it comes to drum thrones, you want to make sure that you are getting something that will last. The materials used and the weight rating of the throne is a big factor. Look for drum thrones that are made of durable, quality materials that can support your weight without wobbling or shaking.
How do you set up drum throne?
Setting up a drum throne properly is essential for comfort, efficiency and performance. Here are some steps to follow to ensure your throne is properly setup:
1. Find the right height: To find the right height, sit on the throne, with your feet on the floor and your legs at right angles. Your elbows should rest comfortably on the tops of your thighs and your back should be straight.
If the seat is too high, adjust it down; if it’s too low, adjust it up.
2. Adjust the back support: Most drum thrones have adjustable back and lumbar support, which you can use to customize the amount of support for your back. To get the optimal fit for your throne, experiment with the different settings until you find the most comfortable position.
3. Set the hardware: Once you’ve adjusted the hardware to the correct height, fix it in place using the appropriate screws and bolts.
4. Place the bass drum pedals: Place the pedals in the correct position based on your desired playing style, personal comfort, and spatial constraints.
5. Test it out: Once you’ve finished setting up your drum throne, hop on and give it a test. Test out your range of motion, as well as how comfortable it feels. If there are any adjustments to be made, repeat the above steps until you feel completely comfortable.
How high should your snare be?
When finding the ideal height for your snare drum, there are a few factors to consider. The most important factor is the sound you are looking to create and the size of the room you are playing in. Generally speaking, most snare drums are placed so that the batter head is between 8-12 inches high.
What is most important, however, is finding the right balance between the batter head and the resonant head. You want the batter head to be higher than the resonant head, as this will create more attack, sustain, and resonance.
Additionally, if you are playing in a smaller room, a lower snare height is ideal, as it will generate less resonance in the room and will help to increase the focus of the sound. Of course, the look and feel of the snare position is also important— after all, it should feel comfortable and looks should be taken into consideration.
So in short, the ideal height for your snare will vary depending on the space you’re playing in and the sound you’re looking to achieve, so take the time to experiment and find the right height for your setup.
What drum throne does Josh Dun use?
Josh Dun, the drummer from Twenty One Pilots, uses a DW DWCP9700 Boom Cymbal Stand and DW CP9300 9000 Series Throne. This throne is specifically designed for the drummer who values both quality and comfort.
This throne is height-adjustable, has double-braced legs, and an extra-thick, cushion-style seat with a low backrest. It also has a mid-point memory lock which makes it easy to find a comfortable height every time you sit down.
The DW CP9300 is durable, dependable, and reliable, making it a great choice for the professional drummer.
Why do drum thrones wobble?
Drum thrones wobble because they are not properly assembled, or because the hardware used is of low quality. Generally, drum thrones are designed to provide a stable and comfortable seat for drummers, and the most important factor behind a stable throne is the bolts and nuts which should be properly tightened.
If these hardware pieces are not properly tightened, this can lead to wobbling of the throne. Additionally, if the hardware used is of low quality, this can also cause the throne to wobble. Low-quality hardware is usually weaker and not as durable as higher-quality hardware, so it’s best to make sure your throne is equipped with the best hardware possible.
It’s also important to check the screws and nuts of your throne regularly and make sure they are properly tightened. Lastly, if you’re buying a new throne, make sure it is made from good quality materials and is properly constructed which should help prevent wobbling.
Does a drum throne make a difference?
Yes, a drum throne definitely makes a difference when playing drums. Not only does a quality throne improve comfort and overall posture, but it also helps eliminate fatigue, allowing for longer and more intense playing sessions.
Additionally, a quality drum throne will help make your setup more stable, thus reducing the risk of slippage while you hit the drums hard. Good quality drum throne can also help with accurate foot placement and section stability, allowing for accurate and precise playing.
All these factors can help you to express yourself more freely and accurately, and can even help with recording and live performance. Ultimately, a well-chosen drum throne definitely has the potential to make a difference in your playing, and it pays to invest in one that is of good quality.
How do I make my drums better posture?
Improving your drumming posture is essential for achieving desired sound results, as well as avoiding long-term injuries. Here are a few suggestions on how to improve your drumming posture:
• Sit comfortably in a sturdy chair so that your feet are flat on the floor and your elbows are close to your body
• Adjust your drum kit so that you can reach all of the drums and cymbals comfortably, without any strain or awkwardness
• Ensure that you have good support for your back, with your spine in alignment
• Hold your sticks comfortably in the middle of their length and at a 45-degree angle
• Keep your wrists straight and flexible, and do not lock them by squeezing your drumsticks
• Lean forward slightly to increase the dynamic range of your playing, but ensure that you stay balanced on your chair
• Place your thighs parallel to the floor and flex your back muscles to maintain a straight posture
• Stretch after playing in order to increase flexibility and ensure continued range of motion.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you are playing drums with better posture, which will improve your sound and help you avoid injuries.
Should cymbals be tilted?
Yes, cymbals should be tilted when playing. This is because it allows the player to create more diverse sounds and textures by manipulating how and when the cymbals crash. The tilting also changes the tonal quality of the sound and increases the sustain of the cymbals.
Additionally, when the cymbals are tilted they are easier to control. This is important because it allows the player to create consistent playing patterns and rhythms that they may not be able to perform as accurately without tilting the cymbals.
Finally, tilting the cymbals also makes them easier to play and allows the player to play with a more relaxed grip. All of these aspects contribute to making the player’s experience enjoyable and successful.
How do you place cymbals?
When placing cymbals, it’s important to consider a few factors. The placement of the cymbals should enhance the sound of the music and create a balanced volume. You’ll want to think about the sound of the existing kit, and make sure the placement of the cymbals will fit in with the other elements.
When it comes to location, the most essential area to place the cymbal is right above the snare drum. This allows the drummer to reach out for the cymbal without having to stretch too much and does not compete with the other drums for sound space.
Placing the cymbal higher or lower can cause it to sound too loud or soft. If a second cymbal is present, it is best to make it slightly higher than the first one, as this adds variety to the sound.
Many drummers choose to have their ride cymbal situated on their far right, but the height is important. If the cymbal is too low, the sound will muffle and die out quickly, but if it is too high it will sound unbalanced.
It’s a matter of personal preference, but most drummers place it higher than the hi-hat but lower than the crash cymbal.
Finally, the crash cymbal should be elevated in order to create a greater impact and sound. It should also be slightly elevated compared to the other cymbals. Experimenting with distance and depth can help create interesting and unique sounds.
Keep in mind that a good cymbal setup can contribute to the overall sound of a drum kit, and as a result, to the success of the ensemble.
What 2 crash cymbal should I get?
It really depends on what kind of music you’re playing and what sound you’re looking for. In general, two popular crash cymbals are the Paiste 2002 Crash and the Sabian AAX X-Plosion. The Paiste 2002 is warm and bright in sound, with great articulation and sustain.
It’s also a fairly versatile cymbal that works for different genres, from jazz to rock. The Sabian AAX X-Plosion is an intensely bright and cutting crash with a very fast response. It’s perfect for rock, metal and fusion music, as it produces a raw, powerful sound.
Both of these crash cymbals are great but depending on your setup, budget, and the sound you’re looking for, you may want to look around at other models to find what’s right for you.
What is a ride drumming?
Ride drumming is a form of drumming popularized by drummers in the funk and hip-hop genres. It typically involves a combination of snare drum and cymbal patterns that are locked into a groove and played in a repetitive manner to keep the rhythm going.
It is characterized by prominent 16th-note hi-hat and ride cymbal patterns and a steady use of the snare. Ride drumming often involves ghost notes or off-beats so that the groove is continuously evolving.
The ghost notes are quick snare or kick drum strokes that are played while still sustaining the original sound of the beat. This technique helps give the beat a rolling, ever-evolving groove. Ride drumming differs from other forms of drumming because it usually plays more repetitive parts, and is usually played over a long period of time in order to create a steady groove.