So you’ve been playing drums for a while. You’ve got your drums, you’re in a band, and now you’ve got a gig. Other than your drums and your sticks, what other pieces of equipment should you take with you on a gig to help you get through a show? What do you do if something breaks or you forget something, that’s where a survival kit can save the day. In today's blog we are going to take a look at some items you may want to include in a Drummer Emergency Kit.
Tools
Drum Key
This should be a no brainer for anyone playing the drums. Every drummer should carry at least 2 drum keys with them when they gig. We have actually heard of bass players carrying drum keys to help the drummer out when they can’t find theirs! Many parts of a drum kit are adjusted using a drum key these days, so having one and a spare is a must. (Quick tip; Store your drum keys in separate places so if one gets lost you always know where your spare is.)
Knife (over 18s only)
A knife is an extremely useful tool on a gig, but should only be carried by those who are old enough. A knife doesn’t have to be big, but needs to be just big enough for small jobs cutting tasks (tape, cable ties, the occasional guitar string. It may not be a tool that is used frequently but it is invaluable to have on hand when needed.
Screwdriver
These next 2 items will depend on the makeup of your personal drum kit. Some kits have lots of Phillips and flat head screws on them (either internal or external) and being able to adjust these on a gig can help to avoid bigger issues when playing. In order to know what types you’ll need, check over all of the elements of your kit and find the screwdrivers for the screws on your kit.
Pro Tip: If you fin a good multi bit screwdriver, it can save you having to carry multiple individual tools.
Allen Keys
Some smaller components on a drum kit are adjusted by an Allen Key. To find what Allen Keys you need, copy the process used for finding the right screw drivers.
Pro Tip: If you travel a lot and play many different kits either live or in the studio, having a range of the above 2 tools can help you get the kit set up exactly how you like without too much hassle.
Adjustable Spanner
Some hardware parts use large nuts so having an adjustable spanner is a great tool for maintaining these on the go. Some drums also have hexagonal headed screws on the inside of the drums (holding the lugs in place) and an adjustable spanner is perfect for tightening these should they come loose.
Torch
Not all stages are well lit during set up or pack down times so having a torch to hand can help you see what you’re doing. Whilst most phones these days have torches built in, save the battery (and the risk of dropping your phone) and take a small torch with you. Torches are great for checking the stage area when you’re finished (idiot checking) as well as on dark car parks when loading your gear into a van or car.
Pro Tip: Some of these items can be condensed into one item like a good multitool. Multitools usually come with pliers, screwdriver, knife etc. and it's all in one package. However, the convenience of these tools can make them more generic and possibly not be able to fix all of the issues that may arise.
Parts
Cymbal felts/sleeves/wing nuts
Cymbals are expensive and can be damaged really easily just by sitting on a cymbal stand. A general rule of thumb is to avoid metal touching metal when it comes to cymbals. To this carrying extra cymbal felts and sleeves will mean you always have something to put in place to protect your cymbals. Pro tip: Don’t forget to take a spare bottom hi hat felt and tilt plate too. These easily fall off or get lost during transport.
Hihat clutch
The hi hat clutch is another essential piece of equipment for the working drummer. Losing or forgetting the hi hat clutch can shipwreck a gig. Treat the hi hat clutch like a drum key, you need a back up for your backup and store them in different parts of your gear. That way you always make sure you have one when you need it.
Snare Strap
Another key sound on the drum kit is the snare. Losing your snare sound because the strap broke or fell off is not an enjoyable experience, and not one you’ll forget in a hurry either. Having spare straps (or something that can be used as a strap)n is an easy way to make sure your snare is always there and sounding the way it should.
Moon Gel
Moon Gel, drum dots, slapklatz etc are simple reusable dampening devices to help tame your drums quickly. It is possible that your kit may sound great in your practice space and sound totally different on a gig. A reusable gel dampener is a quick and easy way to muffle your drums to get the right sound. It’s also non permanent and non marking so when the gig is over, you can remove the gels and store for another day. Getting the right drum sound quickly saves a lot of time on a gig giving more time to the important parts of the experience.
Bass Drum Beater
The Kick drum is the heart of the drum kit. If we lose this fundamental sound, our whole groove and gig can be disrupted. Taking a spare beater is an easy way to always be able to play the bass drum. Bass drum beaters don’t break that often, but when they do it can be a real problem. Having a replacement is a relatively quick fix that can be done in between songs without anyone noticing.
Miscellaneous
Sharpie x2
Always carry 2 Sharpie’s. One for you and one for the singer who forgot their set list and needs to write a new one out! It may sound silly, but having something as simple as a sharpie on hand to loan to a band mate can really help someone out and goes a long way to keeping everyone calm and relaxed on the gig.
Tape
This is a highly versatile piece of equipment and will be one of your most used items. Tape has more uses than we can list here, but it is one item you will always need when out on a gig. We would recommend, where possible, to carry both electrical tape and gaffer/ duct tape.
Ear Plugs
It’s no secret that the drums are loud. Being on a loud stage with a band can permanently damage your hearing. Having a set of ear plugs to use on the gig can save you permanent damage and help keep you playing music for a lifetime. If you’re playing loud festival stages, it may even be useful to have ear plugs from when you’re not on stage too.
Summary
That’s our list. The main goal of the emergency kit is to keep you, your kit and sometimes the gig going no matter what happens. Everyone's emergency kit will look a little different based on their gear and the gig, but hopefully the outline above can serve as a starting point for most. It’s worth noting that it may take time to collect all of these items and tools, but don’t let that stop you gigging.
We have listed below a couple of other items that may be useful but were too much to write about in this list.
Let us know what you take with you on your gigs and sessions.
Other Ideas
Super glue, bass drum springs, spare head, plasters, notebook, phone/tablet charger, cable ties, spare tension rods, lug locks. WD40 (oil).
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