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  • Gig Essentials for Drummers

    By Dendy Jarrett |

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    Make a List - Don't Forget

    by Dendy Jarrett

     

    Introduction

     

    A friend who's a professional drummer posted on Facebook late one evening that he had arrived at his gig in New York City and forgotten his stick bag. He called out to his friends to see if he might borrow some sticks for the gig. That was when it hit me: this can happen to the best of us.

    It took me back to 1983 when I marched with Suncoast Sound (a Top-12 DCI drum corps “back in the day”) and we had our first show at a local contest. As we pulled away on the bus, I suddenly realized my stick bag was in my truck. Yikes! The instructor did something that seemed highly cruel but turned out to be a well-learned life lesson — he refused to let anyone else in the drum line let me borrow sticks. I would be forced to forage for my own sticks from one of the high school bands or “air” the part. You can bet this: I never forgot my sticks ever again … thanks, Al!

     

    What To Do

     

    There are plenty of mottos that everyone's familiar with: The Boy Scouts: Be prepared; American Express: Don’t leave home without it; Santa Claus: Make a list and check it twice!

    All really applicable in this situation!

    So, how much thought and effort do you put into your gig preparation? Do you take a mental inventory or do you need paper (or these days smart phone) lists to keep you on track?  When I was growing up, I was a Boy Scout, so I try to “be prepared” when I prep.

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    What Works For Me

     

    I decided long ago to carry two different allotments of emergency gear with me. One bag has all of the “may need” stuff, and a very large “stick pocket” on the side of my cymbal bag contains my “will need” stuff. There are a few crucial items that, should they fail, I would be “dead in the water” without. I always have those items in the cargo area of my truck “just in case.”

     

    MY LIST BREAKDOWN:

     

    The stick bag: “Don’t leave home without it”

    I keep all my gig sticks, brushes, rods, and mallets. Spare sticks (just in case) go in the will need bag below.

     

     

    The may need bag:

    ·      Screwdriver(s)

    ·      Spare tension rods

    ·      Gaffer’s tape (I prefer Gorilla Brand gaffer’s tape in black)

    ·      Wrench set

    ·      Allen- wrenches

    ·      Heavy duty different style drum keys

    ·      Spare drum pedal

    ·      Spare drum pedal hinge

    ·      Spare bass drum beater(s)

    ·      First aid kit (small)

    ·      Snare basket top

    ·      Spare impact patches for the bass drum

    ·      Batteries

    ·      Spare floor tom leg

    ·      Spare snare wires

    ·      Spool of light wire

    ·      Spool of white 3M marking tape

    ·      Sharpie(s)

    ·      Spare towel

    ·      Work gloves

    ·      Spare snare head

    ·      Super Glue

     

     

    The will need Bag:

    ·      Drum Key (X3)

    ·      2 sets of batteries (AA, AAA)

    ·      Cymbal felts

    ·      Cymbal stand cup

    ·      Spare hihat clutch

    ·      1 spare BD Bbeater

    ·      Sharpie

    ·      Pencil(s)

    ·      Multi Tool (I use a Gerber Multi Tool)

    ·      Spare iPhone charger and cable (for both iPhone and iPad Mini)

    ·      Back up battery for both the iPhone and iPad Mini – just in case

    ·      Spare button top (I use button tops instead of wing nuts on my cymbal stands)

    ·      Towel

    ·      Spare sticks and mallets

    ·      Various drum mute products: moon gels, “o” rings, and the like

     

     

    The spares - just in case gear:

    For a high exposure gig or tour, I’ll always carry these items. If a local show, I'll have them in the truck's cargo area:

    ·      Spare snare drum

    ·      Spare hi hat stand

    ·      Spare kick pedal

    ·      Spare set of Heads

    ·      Drum Rug (rolled up … just in case)

     

     

    Don’t Forget

     

    If this seems like a lot of stuff to schlep, experience has taught me that Mr. Murphy rides along on most gigs. And I live by the notion: “ When you least expect it … expect it.”

    You have to carry what makes you feel comfortable. Carry a drum rug? What if you get to the gig and it's a hardwood floor? There's nothing more miserable than trying to play one-handed while using your other hand to reposition your bass drum and high hat as they slide all over! It’s hard to play if you forget your throne. I played in a folding chair once... no fun.

    When you're well-prepared for the downbeat and everything is where it needs to be, you’ll have peace of mind. You won’t find yourself sending an urgent Facebook call to your local drummer friends asking for sticks.So, be prepared. Don’t leave home without it! Make a list and check it twice!

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    Be Prepared For Any Size Gig! 

     Resources:

    To Purchase or consider drum accessories – Go Here:

    Musician's Friend Drum Accessory Page

     

     

    To Talk About Drums and Drumming – Go Here:

    Harmony Central Drum Forums

     

     

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    Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

     




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