Have you ever seen drummers tape their fingers? This is to ensure they don’t get blisters.
This article will discuss why drummers tape their fingers and some other tips for drummers when playing live.
When it comes to drummers, the most important thing to remember is to respect your fingers and hands. Sure, they’re just drums, but they are also your livelihood.
If you’re making living playing drums, then you need to take care of your hands because they are what makes you special.
By keeping your fingers well taped and cared for, you can do great things with your instrument. When you don’t have to worry about losing a finger to an ingrown hair or soreness from playing, then you can go on to doing more.
There are many different tape designs out there for drummers. Some drummers tape their fingers with Scotch tape, but others like the super sticky tape.
Drummers tape their fingers with scotch tape for many different reasons. Below are some examples of drummers tape that people have shared.
These are just examples, and these are not the only type of tape that you can use.
Soft tape
Tape manufacturer D’Addario offers the SUPER SNOTTY label. It’s a super sticky tape that sticks just like Scotch tape.
These tapes are perfect for drummers with long fingers or for drummers who need extra support.
Bevel tape
This tape comes in several different weights, and the bevel color can tell you the tape’s weight. The darker the color, the heavier the tape.
Bevel tape is ideal for players who play on an electric drum kit. It can be used to lock the drum pads in place, so you don’t need to worry about being knocked off the kit.
Locking tape
This tape is specifically designed to secure a pad to the snare or kick drum. It’s called locking tape because you can press the pattern on the tape to show that the pad is attached.
If you have a standard 4×12 snare kit, then this tape is great to have around. The added security is great because of the weight of the pad.
Rim tape
This type of tape is perfect for drummers who have large hands. Rim tape has a slight curve, so it will not just slide off your fingers.
It’s also great for players who want to stop the pad from slipping up and down the snare drum.
Rim tape has adhesive on both the outside and inside of the roll. This means that you can wrap the tape around the snare drum’s rim and secure it in place.
What are drummers’ tips for playing with drumsticks?
Drummers who play with sticks have a few important tips that everyone can benefit from. These tips are similar to the common tips that drummers already know.
However, it’s always good to be reminded of them.
Slick the drum sticks before playing
If you don’t have to wipe your stick, then you should. Otherwise, it can get sticky and get in the way.
You can clean your sticks when you take a break or after playing.
To get the stick as clean as possible, you should apply a thin layer of lubricant or oil to the stick’s surface. This will not only keep your sticks clean but also help you to stay steady.
Drum sticks need lubrication to stay steady.
Clean your sticks between performances
This is an easy tip to follow. After a drum performance, it’s good practice to clean your sticks.
This is especially important if you’re practicing with sticks that are not part of your kit.
Clean your sticks so that you can be ready for your next performance.
Don’t tap on your drum set
If you want to save your drums from getting smudges, don’t tap on them. You might be surprised that the doorjamb has many marks from drummers tapping on it.
The best thing to do is leave the door to the band room open so that you can see when you’re loud and obnoxious.
Be mindful of your surroundings.
Don’t play with your sticks above your drum kit
If you use sticks on the lower range of your drums, it’s recommended that you place them below the kit. If you’re in a large, crowded space, it’s best to place your sticks on a low shelf or the floor.
You can also place them underneath the kit to dosot need to take your feet off the ground.
Be careful when stacking sticks
People often underestimate how much force they can put into a stick and have it stick onto the side of their drum. Even if you’re practicing with metal sticks, you still need to be careful.
When you’re practicing, it’s usually best to try to not stack your sticks.
If you have metal sticks, you need to be careful of their weight.
How do you make a solid kick drum?
The kick drum has one of the biggest sounds of a drum set. It plays a vital role in the beats and syncopations.
It’s important to make the kick drum as clean and loud as possible. Here are some tips for making a nice-sounding kick drum.
How to make a great sounding kick drum
The best sound for a kick drum is a full and powerful sound. While it’s not necessary to use a clicking drum, click drums are really great sounding.
However, if you prefer not to use click drums, then you can make your kick drum sound full and powerful with various other sounds.
When you’re making your kick drum, make sure that the sound has a solid and powerful sound. There are many different ways to do this.
For example, you can hit the top of your kick drum in a particular way so that it has a thick sound.
The best sound for a kick drum is a full and powerful sound
You can also tap the top of your kick drum in a way that creates a shimmery sound. Additionally, you can play the kick drum very softly with a rimshot.
You can also use other sound effects to give your kick drum a different sound.
However, your kick drum needs to be loud. The louder the drum, the bigger the sound is. You can increase the volume of your kick drum by adjusting the jack on your pedal.
Position your kick drum so that it’s in the middle of your set
The kick drum is one of the most important drums on your set. The kick drum plays a large part in the beats and syncopations of your drum set.
The placement of the kick drum in your set is important. There are a few different ways to position your kick drum on the stage.
You can position the kick drum on the right or left side of your kit.
Generally, you want to position the kick drum on the right side of your kit so that it can be in the middle of your set. You can also have it in the front left or the front right to give it a more high-profile position.