Drummers that use 3 pieces or LESS?

[fourstringdrums]

By my count, so far we have threads devoted to kits with big bass drums, 7 pieces or more, 5 pieces or less, 4 pieces only, but there aren't any threads in regards to playing kits with only 3 pieces, or sometimes less (bass/snare/floor or bass/snare). The only pro's I can think of who use a 3 piece are ?uestlove and Chris Pennie (who atleast used to set up with a 3 piece).

I know MFB and atleast two others have done this regularly that I can think of. I've been toying with doing it for a while, and tonight I finally did. I put up just my bass, snare, 14" tom, with hi-hats, my 19" thin ride and 20" medium ride and it really feels like it might be home for me. I've always struggled with getting even a single rack tom into a comfortable positions amongst everything else, I can finally tune my snare any way I want it without having to work around sympathetic buzz from the rack tom, and with nothing in front, my drums sound fuller and more natural. My 10" in particular used to resonate with all the other drums and I hated the effect that it had on tone.

I know that for some applications, this doesn't work as well, but I'm thinking that for my style it might fit in nicely.

[Mr. Pasquini]

I do that quite a bit, it's fun and you have to be really creative, use a lot of rudiments to make things sound cool. It's great rim shot practice.

[harryconway]

A slightly different view of my "big bass 2 piece" here. http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u162/hrconway/134-3441_IMG.jpg

[fourstringdrums]

A slightly different view of my "big bass 2 piece" here. http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u162/hrconway/134-3441_IMG.jpg

Ok I saw the front view before and I was wondering where your snare was :) How often do you use this setup? My only wonder is, for what I play, will I miss having the rack tom?

[byebyepanda]

On my old drum set (that I sold a month ago) I only used a 16x16 floor tom, 22x18 bass, and 14x6.5 snare w/ hi hats, ride, and crash. I didn't miss that extra tom. Though, I didn't like the sizes of the drums so they're gone now, but that's a different story haha.

Anyway...3 pieces rule!

[k3ng]

I use 2 piece and 3 piece setups regularly when I'm lazy to move all my equipment around. I find most of the time I'm pretty satisfied with it. The smallest setup I've ever used is - snare, bass, hats and a crash/ride.

Sure you'll miss your rack tom but when you get more used to working without it, then putting it back on, you'll appreciate it much more ;D.

[groovemaster_flex]

Depening on the venue, I might only use two pieces. Snare and bass.
Like, if I'm playing an acoustic show with my band, I'll just bring a snare, bass, hats, and ride.
I really miss having a rack tom, but that doesnt mean you won't.
I actually think you might have some success with it, it really forces you to be more creative with the little amount of gear that you've got.
Plus, it's a cheaper kit :)

[byebyepanda]

I use 2 piece and 3 piece setups regularly when I'm lazy to move all my equipment around. I find most of the time I'm pretty satisfied with it. The smallest setup I've ever used is - snare, bass, hats and a crash/ride.

Sure you'll miss your rack tom but when you get more used to working without it, then putting it back on, you'll appreciate it much more ;D.

Haha one time I just used a snare, bass and hi hats just because I was too lazy to transport all my equipment to my friends pad.
I enjoyed it very much!

[fourstringdrums]

On my old drum set (that I sold a month ago) I only used a 16x16 floor tom, 22x18 bass, and 14x6.5 snare w/ hi hats, ride, and crash. I didn't miss that extra tom. Though, I didn't like the sizes of the drums so they're gone now, but that's a different story haha.

Anyway...3 pieces rule!

What styles did you generally play with it and what sizes are you using now? I'm considering selling my Renowns and getting a set with either a shallower 22" or a 20" bass and a 14x14" floor tom. My leg strength makes pushing air through an 18x22 effectively a bit difficult. Also, I just don't like the tone/feel of a hanging 11x14. I'm at a loss as to what 3 piece I could get for about $1000 though that I'd be happy with though that would either have say a 14x22 or a 20" bass and a 14x14.

[byebyepanda]

I'd played around with a little rock and jazz, what ever my friends wanted to jam on.
So I sold that set because the drum sizes were just too huge to transport and the sound wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

My next set will DEFINITELY have a 20-or-22x14 bass and 14x14 floor tom (legs). Also, a 12x8 tom and 14x5 snare would be the icing on the cake!

[harryconway]

Ok I saw the front view before and I was wondering where your snare was :) How often do you use this setup? My only wonder is, for what I play, will I miss having the rack tom?
For the last few months, with my band, I've been using this 2 piece idea. We have 14 original tunes and 6 covers right now. Styles vary from E. Costello to the Ramones to S.T.P. I also played a 2 piece kit a few weeks ago, when I filled in for a blues band. Even though the "house kit" had 2 toms, I only used the house kick (Yamaha Maple Custom) with my snare. Once my 15, 16, 18's are re-finished, I'm gonna set up in a symmetrical fashion, just for the sake of it. Next time you play, just pretend your rack tom isn't there. See if you miss it.

[Drumms]

I usually play a 2-piece kit, with just a bass drum and a snare (and a bunch of cymbals).

Guess what kind of music I play.

[fijjibo]

I usually play a 2-piece kit, with just a bass drum and a snare (and a bunch of cymbals).

Guess what kind of music I play.

Punk?

Funk?

Jazz?

Rock?

[BellsOfRhymney]

Don't need more than hats and crash/ride either.

[Drumms]

Punk?

Funk?

Jazz?

Rock?

Metal mostly. . . . . .

[voldak]

Metal mostly. . . . . .

2 piece for metal? I'm extremely interested in hearing this. That's a very interesting concept in a metal band. Have any music out on the web?

[georgeman]

me...bass..snare..floor tom..and sometimes bongos.

-george

pictures on http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27842

[drummerchick435]

When I play in church I hardly ever use the toms so I play a three piece.

[Jaden]

Deerhoof drummer plays a mean 3 piece set occasionally

[Fur drummer]

2 piece for metal? I'm extremely interested in hearing this. That's a very interesting concept in a metal band. Have any music out on the web?

I would like to hear that also.

[bicycle]

Sometimes I add toms and/or cymbals but I am really drawn to the idea of kick snare hats, and right now that's all i have set up.

[bicycle]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/624229804_7a940644cb.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregbiche/624229804/)

there's something beautiful about minimalism that keeps drawing me in, and making me set up my kit like this. also it's easy to transport! maybe i'll put a cowbell or ride cymbal up eventually

[fourstringdrums]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/624229804_7a940644cb.jpg (http://%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregbiche/624229804/)

there's something beautiful about minimalism that keeps drawing me in, and making me set up my kit like this. also it's easy to transport! maybe i'll put a cowbell or ride cymbal up eventually

I agree. I started doing this just yesterday and honestly, I love the idea. Putting the rack tom up just doesn't feel right to me any more. Whether it's struggling to get it to feel good in position, or trying to tune both my snare and the tom so I get minimal sympathetic buzz, it just doesn't seem worth it to me any more. My playing improvement immediately after taking it off. I felt more free and less cluttered. It also makes the drums sound better. The bass tone just rises up from the drum itself and sounds fuller (the rack wasn't even mounted on the bass), and I can tune the snare any way I want and not worry about how my tom is going to react. Plus it's unique, as it's not something you see everyone doing. I honestly feel like it's MY setup now.

[elpol]

I used to do a house gig once a week where I generally only brought a Taye GoKit BD, a 12x6 snare ,hats and a ride cymbal. Interesting and fun challenge. It forces you to get right to the essence of it all.

With one of my regular gigs, I still only use BD, Snare and Floor Tom. Ok, I'm a sucker for cymbals, but with the drums: less is definitely more, imho.

[BellsOfRhymney]

Watching old Zep vids, Bonham's best crash sound came from his ride cymbal (see the Denmark tapes) ..I'm thinkin' he could have done the whole thing with just hats and ride.

[bballdrummer34]

i don't know, ever time i use less, I feel like my mind gets more creative and i come up with things i've never even practiced before. I play mostly jazz but, once all I brought was a snare, hi hat and ride. After each set would end, I would look back not remembering I had not been playing my entire set. After awhile it felt like everything was there. I recomend this to any who plays jazz.

[jazzin']

i don't know, ever time i use less, I feel like my mind gets more creative and i come up with things i've never even practiced before. I play mostly jazz but, once all I brought was a snare, hi hat and ride. After each set would end, I would look back not remembering I had not been playing my entire set. After awhile it felt like everything was there. I recomend this to any who plays jazz.

I still do this quite often. At our school if we can't find a big enough room we will often play in one of the piano rooms. It has just enough room to fit piano, double bass and either my SN hats and ride or bass drum as well.

I love doing it. The phrases you can get happening just between ride, snare and bass or even just snare and ride are endless whilst accenting, splashing, cutting phrases with the hats. I'm starting to feel the same way Fourtstrings. That I have no need for toms or maybe it's that I feel after playing just this that I haven't reached the full potential of these drums so adding toms feels suddenly like I'm playing too much and wasting it. Sort of like I'm not good enough yet to progress onto more sounds when there is still so much to be had from just this setup.

I've often thought of simply being done with toms altogether. Maybe one day I will. I've been thinking of doing a little side money project lately in which I would take out my BD, snare, hats and ride with a sampler and busk for some extra tax free money. Laying down some groovy D 'n' B interspersed with jazz while creating bass sounds and soundscape kind of noises with the sampler. Lots of fun!

[fourstringdrums]

I still do this quite often. At our school if we can't find a big enough room we will often play in one of the piano rooms. It has just enough room to fit piano, double bass and either my SN hats and ride or bass drum as well.

I love doing it. The phrases you can get happening just between ride, snare and bass or even just snare and ride are endless whilst accenting, splashing, cutting phrases with the hats. I'm starting to feel the same way Fourtstrings. That I have no need for toms or maybe it's that I feel after playing just this that I haven't reached the full potential of these drums so adding toms feels suddenly like I'm playing too much and wasting it. Sort of like I'm not good enough yet to progress onto more sounds when there is still so much to be had from just this setup.

I've often thought of simply being done with toms altogether. Maybe one day I will. I've been thinking of doing a little side money project lately in which I would take out my BD, snare, hats and ride with a sampler and busk for some extra tax free money. Laying down some groovy D 'n' B interspersed with jazz while creating bass sounds and soundscape kind of noises with the sampler. Lots of fun!

I could never give up atleast my floor tom entirely. Rack tom, possibly. I'm actually looking forward to just working on snare work, using brushes and concentrating on getting multiple tones out of the same drum. The snare seems easy to do that with, but I'm having more trouble finding how to get usuable multiple tones out of the floor tom. My main dilemma is in rock or funk when I hear in my head that I should have two different tom pitches in a fill per say, how to get past that and play something else.

My next set will be just a bass, snare, and floor so if I do want a rack I'll be really forced not to use it :)

[voldak]

I'm having more trouble finding how to get usuable multiple tones out of the floor tom.

One of my old teachers at school used to push on the head a bit when he wanted a different sound. It would change the pitch of the drum so he could play the lick with the other hand that was free. It was neat, but took practice to master the art of getting the pitch you want....And it looks cool :)

[Beginer]

Yesterday I was practicing on drums and I noticed that I really almost dont use my rack toms.. Maybe thats why my first thread here was about a small kit.. I also should say I need that floor tom too, wich i didnt like before.. I think i got used to that floor tom sound now and its ok.. Its a pitty, but I dont have my own kit.. Well were making a studio and it will be the place where I'll be able to put my drums as soon as I get them..:]

[voldak]

I commend everyone for going with a 3 piece or less, but I LOVE all of my toms. I know you can be creative with just the 2 or 3 drums but doesn't it take a way from some of the music? I guess it all depends on It does limit possibilities as far as sounds go. Sure, you can make one drum make two different pitches (or more) but you can do that with a lot of rack toms too.

I don't know...once I get my new kit in and get used to everything. I'll take away all of the rack toms and try it...It might just change my mind. :)

[Beginer]

And I thought I was the only one with a minimalism idea:D Great, I find it really great to hear these great opinions..

[Jaden]

bicycle, I have that same snare also and I love it,


What do you think of it? How are the wood hoops for you?

[georgeman]

more room for cymbals

you could have an entire wall of cymbals

-george

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

And I thought I was the only one with a minimalism idea:D Great, I find it really great to hear these great opinions..

Nope. I (as Rob mentions) have certainly used a very small kit on occasions. I feel like stripping right down again, I should be doing a theatre gig (hopefully) this summer and I want to take as LITTLE as possible, especially seeing as I'm going to be taking two guitars and an amp (possibly two) in the back of my Ford KA as well my drum kit. That's the real incentive here, because I'm lazy and like to be able to see out of the back of my car.

[Beginer]

Bicycle, how long are you drumming..??

[bballdrummer34]

You know although i dont go with that much "stuff" on my set usually, I wouldn't mind having a little hut like Antonio Sanchez or Portnoy, it looks like way too much fun.

[jazzin']

You know although i dont go with that much "stuff" on my set usually, I wouldn't mind having a little hut like Antonio Sanchez or Portnoy, it looks like way too much fun.

Hehe I would seriously feel trapped behind such a wall of stuff. Stuck in a drum cave.

[fourstringdrums]

Hehe I would seriously feel trapped behind such a wall of stuff. Stuck in a drum cave.

It would confuse the hell out of me "Hmm, which part of the set should I play lousy on first?" :)

[Disco Stu]

Another pro drummer that used a 3-piece kit is Alan Wren (aka Reni) from the Stone Roses. No page on Drummerworld, but there is a good wikipedia entry for him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Wren

Here's a clip of the band playing Waterfall, with some good shots of Reni laying down some nice stuff on his 3-piece (and singing backup too.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-snR3ZY4Qjk

And a screen shot of the band from that performace:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d6/TheStoneRosesOSM.jpg

[Drumms]

2 piece for metal? I'm extremely interested in hearing this. That's a very interesting concept in a metal band. Have any music out on the web?

I would like to hear that also.

No, I dont, since I don't have any recording hardware.

I have to admit that I often throw in a 14 inch tom. We're trying to create an unusual sound, so that's why I play with such a minimalistic set (drumwise). It's experimental. On the other hand, I have lots of cymbals. Two rides, two chinas, splashes, a bell, going to buy more crashes...

Neither am I a tom-hater, nor do I try to show off or something. I try to develop a less tom-dependent drumming. Of course, every setup has good and bad aspects. My setup is made to suit my current projects, but it wouldn't work in a different setting.

Anyway as soon as I manage to record something, I'll post it in the appropriate section.

[burnthehero]

When I move into my new practice room next week, I'm going to set up my kit like Chris Pennie did for the last D.E.P. record/tour. Bass, snare, and one rack tom placed where the floor tom would normally be. Hopefully it will help me brush up on my rudiments and creativity.

[That Guy]

When you guys speak of a rack tom, are you talking about any tom but the floor tom?

[Michael Beechey]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/624229804_7a940644cb.jpg (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregbiche/624229804/)

there's something beautiful about minimalism that keeps drawing me in, and making me set up my kit like this. also it's easy to transport! maybe i'll put a cowbell or ride cymbal up eventually


I'm curious about that snare...I was interested....tried one in a store...seemed to quite a harsh sound...did you change the heads, with success?

[sio_13]

A slimmed down kit is a great idea for people who are just starting out drumming. I see entirely too many newcomers who figure out how to do fast rolls and such, but always completely miss the real role of the drummer: time-keeper. Using clicks and metronomes is good practicing technique, but should not be essential. If you go down to a Kick/Snare/hat and/or ride setup and practice regularly, it will do nothing but help you. Personally, i love my toms, but sometimes i catch myself trying to show off a bit much and have to get back to the roots (pun intended) of drumming. Cool thread btw.