Practice more without the police at the door? We have suggestions....
We've all been here.....
Make the drums quieter? "Why in the Spaghetti Monsters name would I want to do that" I hear you ask?
And you're right.
But sometimes it's nice to consider the people around us, and it's always good to have option that will afford us more practice.
There's nothing worse than when you really start to lock in, hands and mind are warmed up and suddenly there's a banging on the door and the neighbour is screaming at you to please, just please be quiet. I mean, he has some nerve banging on your door at 3am but let's pause.....and let's think......what else could I try?
You'll be happy learn that the options are many, varied and really quite fun.
Let's have a look.
Brushes & Rods
This is basically a way of saying it's not the sticks that are a problem, it's you. But that's not really fair. Brushes and rods are both a wealth of unique sounds sources unto themselves and can alter your playing in wild new directions. They can keep the volume down to varying degrees depending on the material, but can and will also inspire fun, sonic exploration. Here's a few examples but check out the entire range HERE.
Brushes can be used in a thousand ways and are available in many variations on a fairly standard design. Usually a rubber or plastic handle with some metal bristles protruding. You can use these as a kicking off point to learn the subtle beauty of proper jazz brush technique, or simply play your drums in a delightfully soft and floaty fashion. These particular brushes are non-retractable wire bristled brush with a soft rubber grip. Also features metal rivet for enhanced cymbal sounds.
Rods are pretty much the industry standard way of taking the volume down a little. A similar feel to sticks but usually a bundle of wooden or plastic dowels, they're a great way to play roughly the same way, but quieter. Like these Splashsticks from Vater, the same design as the Splashstick but with smaller diameter dowels for lighter weight and smaller grip size.
These unique drumsticks combine features of brushes and ProMark Rods, crafted from genuine broomcorn. Offering more volume than brushes while maintaining less attack compared to rods, Broomsticks provide a versatile middle ground. The adjustable O-rings empower the player to modify the bristle spread, similar to adjusting a pair of brushes. Sound cool, look cool.
Drum Mute Pads
A super swift solution to volume problems, rubber mutes can just be thrown on top of your drums and you can continue practicing with animal abandon! You still get varied tone from each drum but the overall volume is drastically reduced.
SoundOff by Evans Fusion Box Set, 10/12/14/14, including Cymbals
Transform your drumming experience with the SoundOff by Evans Fusion Box Set, featuring sizes 10", 12", 14", and 14" for an all-encompassing percussion setup. Crafted with the highest quality materials, these drum mutes effectively reduce volume while preserving the authentic feel of your drumming. The set includes cymbal mutes to complete your practice kit, ensuring a well-rounded and quiet drumming experience. Perfect for drummers looking to hone their skills without disturbing the peace, the SoundOff Fusion Box Set provides a comprehensive solution for low-volume drumming sessions.
Mesh Drumheads
A similar idea to drum mutes but somewhat different in feel and set up. These cool alternative to standard drumheads are put in place instead of your regular drum skins and will reduce the volume dramatically, while retaining all that delicious acoustic feel we love so much. Available from Remo as the Silentstroke Series and Evans as the dB One Series.
EVANS dB One Rock Pack (10" 12" 16") with 14" dB One Snare and 22" dB One Bass
Hooooooo yeah. The Evans dB One Rock System Pack—a superb addition to any drummer's gear. This comprehensive pack comprises mesh tom heads in sizes 10'', 12'', and 16'', accompanied by a 14'' snare head and a 22'' bass drum head. Constructed with shock weave mesh, these drumheads provide a realistic rebound and minimal volume, allowing for a quiet playing experience without compromising on sound quality. With an impressive ninety percent reduction in volume, these heads are engineered to deliver an authentic and satisfying drumming experience. Built to last, each head incorporates kinetic transform foam and impact patches, ensuring durability and powerful tones.
Silent Cymbals
Kind of a companion piece to mesh heads, these wonderful creations allow all your accents and timekeeping to be kept to similarly saucy volumes. Cymbals are the exclamation points in a drummer's language, but they don't have to shout. Low-volume cymbals, let you crash without the bash. These cymbals are crafted to deliver authentic tones at reduced decibels, making them perfect for practice spaces where silence is golden. Let the cymbals sing softly, and keep the peace without sacrificing the brilliance of your crashes and rides.
Stagg- Silent Practice Cymbal Set with Bag
The Stagg Silent Practice Cymbal Set with Bag—an brilliant option for drummers seeking a discreet and versatile practice solution. This set includes a collection of durable, low-volume cymbals designed to maintain the feel and response of traditional cymbals while significantly reducing sound output. Perfect for quiet practice sessions, these cymbals ensure minimal disturbance without compromising on performance. The set features various cymbals, including hi-hats, crash, and ride, providing a comprehensive practice experience. With the added convenience of a carrying bag, this Stagg Silent Practice Cymbal Set is the ideal choice for drummers who prioritise practice without disturbing the peace.
And Finally.....Electronic Drums
You're probably familiar with this option. It may have been suggested by a drum teacher to parents terrified that this might just be their lives now. An excellent option for those who either don't have enough space for a full size kit or will simply never get away with acoustic drums, electronic drums have your back. With ever improving technology and a host of educational features, E-Kits are a great alternative.
Roland TD-02KV V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit
The Roland TD-02KV V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit is an ideal choice for aspiring drummers seeking skill improvement in a low-noise practice setting. Tailored for both beginners and returning players, this compact electronic drum kit boasts a mesh dual-trigger pad for a realistic feel and rebound on the frequently used snare. The toms and cymbals feature rubber pads to complement the overall low-volume experience. The TD-02 module offers 16 expressive kits with quality sound, accompanied by a coaching feature to monitor progress and enhance skills. Designed for space efficiency, this kit is compact and easily fits into small areas, while the sturdy four-post drum rack ensures stability even during intense use. With adjustable height, it's an affordable and space-conscious starter kit suitable for drummers of all ages.
So don't worry! Drums don't have to be the loudest things in the universe. Also, all of these things are hopefully intermediary measure until we all learn to play with quiet intensity on our acoustic kits. It's only a matter on time. Possibly a lot of time, but we'll get there.
For an over view of all the things drum related, have a browse of our main page HERE
And if you know a drummer and would love to furnish them with a thoughtful Christmas gift, we have a few suggestions HERE
Until next time!