In this edition of “The Thinking Drummer,” we’re going to talk about drum set-ups; specifically, the 4-piece drum kit. Drummers have all sorts of drum set-ups, and generally speaking, I believe that you should use what works best for you. If you like a particular set-up, you sound good on it, and it works for a specific project you’re drumming in, then go for it.
As for me, over time, I’ve gravitated toward a four piece drum set. For the record, my current set-up of choice is a four piece with a 20″ or 22″ bass drum, a 12″ mounted tom and a 14″ floor tom. In addition, I have a hi-hat on my left, two crashes (left and right) and a ride. Of course, I also have a snare. I switch back and forth between a double and single pedal depending on the gig.
But the four piece wasn’t always my go-to set up. As a youngster, I coveted the huge drum kit. My big influences here were Neil Peart and my first drum teacher, NYC drummer, Charlie Davidman. We all know about Neil’s massive kits (and in fact, in an interesting twist of fate, I won Neil’s very first Rush drum kit in Modern Drummer Magazine’s first drum solo contest in 1988). You can read that story HERE.
I loved Neil’s kits, but it was my first drum teacher, Charlie Davidman, who first influenced my love of huge drum sets. Charlie had a massive Ludwig Vistalite kit. As a 13-year-old boy, it was staggering in its hugeness: two 24″ bass drums, two mounted toms, two floor toms. Every drum was clear acrylic. Simply awesome.
Over the years, however, although I love the beauty of the massive kit, other considerations have shaped my opinions on the matter of what size drum set to play. There are some practical considerations to being a working drummer in NYC. There are some philosophical considerations that factor in as well.
Allow me to share these thoughts with you.
First, a practical issue. If I’m touring and I can bring anything I want because the clubs or venues are allowing it (or perhaps requiring it because they have no house drum kit), then almost anything goes. If the situation allows help from a roadie, even better. In that case, perhaps I’d bring a bigger kit. But when I’m playing around NYC in the club scene, 4-piece kits are not really a choice–they’re required. If you are a gigging NYC drummer, you understand this. For those of you who live outside of NYC, I’d actually be interested in hearing what the clubs are like in this regard. But here in NYC, when I go to play in a smaller club, there is a house drum kit and it is always a 4-piece. It’s not a choice. That’s what the club has. So, that’s what I have to play.
This reason alone is enough to justify the decision to focus your playing around a 4-piece drum set. That means your practice should be on the four piece kit. I’ve always believed that we should practice on the same drum set-up/configuration we’re going to play shows on. A simple idea, but an important one.
Second, philosophy. I’ve worshipped at the altar of many great jazz drummers. I’ve listened to, watched, transcribed, and studied many of them. Most of the best traditional jazz drummers played amazingly well on just a four piece kit. There was no lack of creativity due to the smaller sized drum kits. Think of Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, and Buddy Rich (I know, he had a second floor tom, but usually that seemed to actually serve as a shelf for his brushes and extra sticks). These guys, and many others, absolutely killed it on a four piece kit. I’ve heard stories about Philly Joe Jones playing many sessions with no mounted tom at all (only a floor tom), and he always sounded amazing.
Listening to these great jazz drummers made me think, “If these guys could sound that good with only four drums, why can’t I?” I also started to think about efficiency. “If I could sound that good on a small kit, why bother with all the other bells and whistles? Why carry all that stuff around?”
I realized that with technique and creativity, the four piece kit does not have to limit your drumming. In fact, the smaller kit will force you think differently about your playing. How to get more out of less has become an important part of the way I think about my drumming.
Another thing to consider is that playing on a four piece drum set may also get you to think about playing more simply. We probably all agree that “less is more” is often an apt saying when it comes to our drumming. A large drum kit with toms and cymbals everywhere simply begs you to play more. Why should you have a huge drum kit and not hit everything that is part of the set-up? Having a huge kit may very well cause you to add unnecessary fills and fluff to what you play. There is nothing wrong with playing a lot of stuff if the music calls for it. But, more often than not, musicians will favor a great groove over a lot of flash and fills. That’s the drummer you want to be….the one who makes everything feel good.
Size does matter. But when it comes to drum sets, it’s possible that sometimes, smaller is better. 😉
He first gained attention as one of the winners of Modern Drummer magazine's very first drum solo contest, judged by Rush's Neil Peart.
He's played with Oz Noy, Will Lee, Alison Krauss, Curtis Stigers, Emily Remler, Joel Hoekstra, GE Smith, Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Tony Shanahan, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and many other artists.
For more info: onlinesessiondrummer.com
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I’m from New York and studied with Sam Ulano and have played drums for over 50 years. I played for years in NYC clubs and catering halls. I now teach drums in Denver and follow some of Sam’s philosophies.
On the size of the drum set, of course it depends on the size of the room you are playing in, the type of music you are playing and the rhythms you are trying to achieve on the drum set.
I have always prefer a 5 piece drum set. (3 toms, bass drum and snare) A 12 & 13 inch and 16 inch tom,14 inch snare and 20 inch bass drum. I also transport them with COVERS not cases and a trap case. The reasoning for the 5 pc vs a 4 pc is that most popular music is in 4/4 so when you do a solo you can divide the sounds in to 4 different tones and evenly move around the drum set. It also is cool to do the 4 tones with a big band transitioning phrases.
Also, when you play Latin rhythms you can simulate a conga or timbale rhythm. A 20 inch bass drum is easy to transport and can be tuned appropriately to be used with or without amplification. Covers are well padded and fit well in the trunk of a car or SUV easy to move around and store at a gig well.
Thanks, Joel! I appreciate your thoughts….lots of interesting details!
Mark F
Similar set up.When I used a Gretsch Catalina kit,I could carry in with 2 trips using the straps on Road Runnerbags.Not an endorsement of either,Currently use vintage Slingerland kits.A freak for matching snares.
Thanks for your comment, Hal.
I completely agree! However, I still play a bigger kit than I probably need. There’s something about having more things to hit that still gets me going. It’s more exciting. Playing a smaller kit is definitely more of a challenge. Neil was my first big influence as well. Now I’m currently playing 10″, 12″, 16″ toms and have an SPD-SX next to me on the side for samples.
Hi Nick!
Thanks for posting. I understand completely. It gets me excited to have more drums as well.
MF
This is really well thought out. After a number of years playing my kit as a 4 piece, I felt like having that 13″ tom sitting in the corner was stupid and put it back on my kit. For the next 6 months after that I was always trying to justify the second rack tom and always wishing my ride was right where that damn tom sits. I would screw with the tuning to fit between the sound that I felt was just right on my 12 and 16 toms and it just felt like a distraction in my playing. This article made me pop up out of my chair and yank that 13″ tom. Now I sit at my kit and it just feels so much better to me. Everything is right where it should be. My playing improved as a result.
Hey Dave glad I read this! I just ordered a Ludwig Classic Maple with a 9×12 16×16 and 16×22. Love the way it all fits and sounds for all around playing. The difference between the 12 and 13 is so small. You still playing the 12 and 16?
Hi Dave –
Thanks! I’m happy to hear that the article helped you. In fact, you made my day. The exact reason we do this is to help drummers like you, so thanks again.
Warm Regards,
Mark F
A little late for the party here but I found this article just searching 4 piece kit info. I’m 64 and still gig 150 plus gigs per year. I have been using 4 piece kits for roughly the last 25 years. I sometimes want to go 5 piece just to use the other tom but do not want to move that very imprtant ride out of that comfortable position. So I will bring the 10″ tom on some smaller gigs and take the 12″ on others, at least to me anyway I’m not wasting the other tom.
I like the fast setup and tear down, the 4 piece does do the job nicely for the type of music I play. I also just ordered the new Yamaha Crosstown hardware pack ( aluminum) to make transport even easier.
Thanks for the article, helped me feel better about my situation.??
Hi “2b” –
You’re welcome!
I’m glad you found it helpful.
Rock on with the four piece!!
MF
Hello Mark , I am going to be 61 years old. I have played , a lot the usual things jazz ,fusion etc. stopped for about 10 years . I want to start up again always played 4 pc kit as a matter of fact , after studying with Gary Chester I found that independent exercises on the kit is much more important, I also noticed that all these extra drums etc. are only used at the end of a tune,,, I live in a condo. I am thinking of buying a Roland Td17 drum kit ? Have you ever used electronic drums?
Thank you for your time
Hi Chris – I have used electronic drums. They are a great solution for apartment dwellers. The caveat is touch. The dynamics and touch of acoustic drums are generally not replicated on electronics. As long as you’re OK with that, have at it! If not, just make sure you figure out some way to play real drums too. I’d recommend playing both.
Always played with one rack tom got a new set with two rack toms and find it hard to get used to mostly because of ride cymbol placement on right
Always played with one rack tom got a new set with two rack toms and find it hard to get used to mostly because of ride cymbol placement on right
I understand! I would just mess around with your set up and see what feels comfortable. If you like the single rack tom set up, go for it!
I just switched from 5 to 4, moved my ride to in front and am enjoying it, newer player , less than a year, always respected the 4 piece set up, subtle but can speak volumes.
Thanks for this article
Cheers
Hi CR –
Thanks for your kind words. I like the position you can get with your ride with a four piece also. It’s just one of the benefits of the set-up. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the set-up. I hope you’re having a good time drumming; I suspect that you are.
Regards,
Mark
I’ve played for 20+ years and started out thinking I had to use the full 5pc kit. Ended up switching to 4pc (22″bass, 14″snare 12″ & 14″ toms, 5-7 cymbals) and for 2 main reasons: 1- gigging in Richmond VA means bringing all your stuff and weathering the unloading/setup/teardown/loading cycle. 2- started gigging in NYC and 4pc is what you get (as you mentioned). My playing became better & more focused. The only other change I’ve made that caused such a surge in technique was giving up drinking almost 3 years ago. Recently got another snare stand to hold the 12″ tom where I want it and now my ride cymbal hovers over about 75% of my bass drum. Everything is where it feels best. THIS TOOK 20+ YEARS. It’s a lot like sex, keep trying different things til it feels good then bang the hell out of it. Great article.
Hi Michael –
Ha ha!!! I’m glad you liked the article. The funny thing is that I fantasize about playing a big kit sometimes but when I sit behind my four piece, I love it and I feel so comfortable.
Warm Regards,
Mark F
Great article Mark….I started off with a 6 piece….22″kick, 14″ snare, 10″ & 12″ racks and 14″ + 16″ FT’s plus ride crash etc…but at 63 years old I’m thinking compact is the way to go…so just recently I’ve switched to just that…..18″ virgin kick, 12″ snare, 10″ rack and 14″ FT, both of which are suspended off the crash cymbal stand on my right. The left hand crash-ride is mounted off the HH stand…makes for a helluva lot less lugging around….soft cases for everything….thanks for starting this thread…lots of good insight from you and other drummers…cheers brother!!…….Gary
Hi Gary –
Thanks for the kind words.
It’s interesting to hear about your set-up.
Compact can be helpful when you’re traveling around to gigs by yourself….that’s for sure!
Glad you liked the article.
Warm Regards,
Mark F
I can play anything our band performs on a four piece kit and have to in many cases and I love it. However every Wednesday night we’re on a big stage in the premier venue for live music and I love to bring in my 7 piece just for fun. We play 150 shows a year so I get to play both kits regularly.