Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Music Style And Selecting The Appropriate Bass Drum Head

By Jeff Aronnsen

The drum head is one of the most critical parts a drummer's equipment. The bass drummer knows without the right head, their abilities will be inferior and their sound will not be the best it can be. Terrible sound is best avoided by having a quality bass drum head. When selecting a bass drum head you will have a lot of choices in the competitive market, so you have to make many considerations so you end up with the right head.

One thing that you have to consider when picking out a replacement bass drum head is that this is a very personal choice. Every drummer has their own taste, whether it is a brand or style. You will probably find one type of drum head that you prefer over the rest. This is fine and this is normal. Selecting a drum head is very personal, so listen to the advice of others, but in the end you have to pick out the drum head that works for you.

There are infinite choices when choosing bass drum head. This can make the selection process overwhelming. The alternatives run from one ply to two ply and coated to non-coated just to name a few. Then you have to pick out a brand and of course the appropriate size. Each choice has its pros and cons.

Some common options are single ply, double ply and self muting. Single ply drum heads are normally used in factory installs and they have a broad sound. Double ply drum heads are considered an upgrade to single ply. They are durable and work great for pop or rock music. Self muting drum heads are used to control high pitches and reduce sustains.

As you will find, some types of drum heads are more long-lasting, some may produce better tones and others may provide you with some other characteristic that you want. Each choice has something about it that sticks out. You will need to not only pick out the drum head that matches your drum, but that will also work with your style of playing and the sound that you are trying to reach.

It is not always obvious when to switch your drum head. The best indicator is when your desired sound begins to change. This is most often directly tied to an older drum head. If you are still using your starter drum head then it may be time to look for a replacement. Another indicator is wear and tear. Does the surface of your drum head look beaten up or worn in different areas?

You will, most importantly, need to replace your drum head when it no longer produces a sound that is compatible with the style of music you are playing. You always want your drum to compliment the music you create with the right sound. It does not matter how new or in what condition you find your drum head, if the sound no longer compliments your style of playing it is time to replace it.

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