Drum Stick Accessories

Keeping your drumsticks in good condition is essential if you want them to have a long life. Things like pouches or bags can keep them clean, safe from damage and in good condition. There are also various accessories for the drums. Some examples of extras you may want to purchase are given here. 

Drumstick Accessories

Drumsticks can chafe if you play often and especially if you play vigorous music like rock or metal. There are tapes you can purchase which can be stuck on the sticks to prevent this and also to help get a better grip on your drumsticks. Grip tapes are useful if you prefer not to wax your sticks and drum with the bare wood which can damage the hands. They are cheap and cost around £5-£6. Some drummers prefer to wax their drumsticks for a better grip. Waxes are also inexpensive and cost around the same as grip tapes.

There are various drum stick cases, carriers and bags which you can choose from to keep them in a safe place where they won’t get broken or damaged. If you only have one or two pairs of drumsticks, a pouch might be sufficient enough to keep them in. You can even purchase a case with the drumsticks included.

There are also professional cases which hold up to ten or twelve pairs of drumsticks and have padding to ensure they are kept in good condition. Some have extra pouches to carry other things like keys or valuables. Others are hard cases for guaranteed protection. There are different designs to choose from to suit your personal style. The cost of a good canvas pouch can start from roughly £10 and hard cases or large bags can start at approximately £20. Also available are drum stick holder clamps which clamp onto cymbals or the hi hat stand so your sticks are never far from reach. These cost around £3-£5. 

Drum Accessories

Drum practise pads are a great way to rehearse or practise without making the loud sound of the drums. They come in all shapes and sizes. There are pocket-sized practise pads for drummers who are always on the move, or there are larger pads which can be fitted on a cymbal stand. Some can be played table-top and there are even practise drumsticks with rubber tips. Prices are between £15 and £25.

Extra-large practice pads can cost around £45. To play drums, you will also need a drum stool to sit at. Prices vary but can start from around £90. Most are adjustable so ideal for kids or adults. Some are fitted with a back rest for support and to prevent damage to your posture. 

Occasionally, drumheads may need to be replaced if they are damaged, worn out or just old. Over time they may begin to sound flat and lifeless therefore learning to replace drumheads is an essential skill. A good drumhead has to have a wide tuning range and be durable. Single-ply non-coated drumheads produce a louder, brighter sound so may be the best ones to choose for rock drummers.

Two-ply coated drumheads produce a warmer sound and may be the best choice for jazz musicians. They usually come in packs and prices vary according to the type of drumhead and their size. Evans and Aquarium are well-known brands.

For electronic drums, headphones can be used to practise quietly and cost between £20 and £30 for a good quality pair. There are also special silicone pads to buy if the pads on your electric drum kit need replacing. Costs vary for these according to their brand, what size they are and whether it is drum pads or cymbal pads.

For the beginner, there is usually no need to buy accessories with a high price tag as they usually come with extras that you may not need when first starting out. Professionals may want to pay a little bit more for accessories.