"Smaller Kit Syndrome"

All that I ever really need is a 4 piece kit with one crash, one ride, a splash, and hats.
The rest is just extra junk that I carry around!
 
Since a 2nd extra rack tom doesn't increase my foot print, I use it. But I only really need a 10 and 16 tom. I could easily go down to four drums but I still like 3 crashes and a ride, plus a splash, and 2 cowbells and a tambourine and if I have the room and the time, chimes and a vibraslap.

Too many toms is a distraction to me.
 
larryace said:
Since a 2nd extra rack tom doesn't increase my foot print, I use it. But I only really need a 10 and 16 tom. I could easily go down to four drums but I still like 3 crashes and a ride, plus a splash, and 2 cowbells and a tambourine and if I have the room and the time, chimes and a vibraslap.

Too many toms is a distraction to me.
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larry, You're A... A... A... GEARHEAD!
OH NO!!!
 
larryace said:
Too many toms is a distraction to me.
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Same here. Whenever I've played on medium/large to large kits I've not played very well. It depends on what you're used to, I guess.

There's an art to understanding different kits - small, medium and large - and how to apply them to different musical situations. For me, lots of pieces in a kit makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop, not sure whether to have the Minties, the peppermint chip chocolate or the Maltesers. It takes time to get your head around it.

But when downsizing, players have to get more into the subtleties of each piece of the kit or the playing will sound too same-y.

It's all good. I just don't like lugging or setting up :) Another thing ... many punters find big kits impressive ... and I don't really want to be impressive, nor to feel like I have to have to live up to my kit ... you know, the people see this fabulous, ginormous kit gleaming in the lights and then this slightly shabby woman sits down behind it and goes tap tappity tap lol
 
Is there some kind of medication I can take so that I never have this syndrome. :)
 
I went through the same thing. I started with a big set, but I've been clean for eight years now. First set was a five piece, very quickly became an eight piece double bass set. From there it tapered down to a three piece very quickly. I've been very happy with a three piece for eight years, can't imagine wanting or needing more.
 
right now i decided to try a 10 12 16 tom set up, and i think thats where i may just stop, the 10 to 12 is good for some of the fills i do, the rest is perfect on a 12 to 16, and i have it set up around the 4 piece kit.

Also it looks like a may be getting a new kit soon, just gotta decide on sizes and company
 
In music where I really get into the texture of each drum and cymbal I find that a small kit works wonderfully. (kick, snare, hat, cymbal)

In music where each drum/cymbal is a "sound effect" almost, I'll throw another couple of cymbals or toms in there.

Been playing 3-5 piece kits since before they were cool. :p
Helps me get intimate with my cymbals and drums.
 
Numberless said:
I've been just fine with a 4pc and three cymbals for quite a while now...but lately I've been getting some cravings...of the cowbell, 6"splash and side snare variety.
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cow bell and side snare are always fun, especially when drumming to electronic music.
 
I have never understood this debate. I don't even get the rationale for it, except to know that ones obsessed with it to the point of trying to create a contentious argument are never very good players. And for me that's all I need to know. In fact I don't think I had ever heard of this until I started reading drum forums, and neither had any of my old teachers..

Take Bozzio. Does anyone actually believe he champions one over the other past getting some free pub points? Sure I've seen that big kit...but I also know that he's played scaled down stuff for Zappa and classic fusion recordings like the Brecker's Heavy Metal Be Bop.

This you just don't get it roll eyes stuff is laughable. You play what you play because you're either comfortable with the setup, or the gig requires you play with more loot, related to music based technical issues, or you go small because of stage requirements, or one of the 2 set ups is what you're told to play so you can get the money. There's also no such thing as a big kit specialist or a small kit specialist. I think you just play the drums and if you find you need more or less drums exclusively to succeed, then maybe you should work a little harder.

I'm not tryin' to be flippant. I just think it's all no more than that.
 
again i state i didn't start this to argue which is better, just to hear peoples thoughts about going from a large kit to a smaller one.
I personally like them both, but i find i play better on a 4 piece is all.
 
belairien said:
again i state i didn't start this to argue which is better, just to hear peoples thoughts about going from a large kit to a smaller one.
I personally like them both, but i find i play better on a 4 piece is all.
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This type of topic is always inviting a "certain" type of discussion. Maybe in a few years when you gain more experience, you too will like the feel of a larger kit a bit more.

Dennis
 
audiotech said:
This type of topic is always inviting a "certain" type of discussion. Maybe in a few years when you gain more experience, you too will like the feel of a larger kit a bit more.

Dennis
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Maybe a 5 piece if its a 1 up 2 down. its the rack tom positioning that throws me off. Even with my whole kit set up i still only use the 12 inch and two floors because its the way drumming feels natural for me
 
I began playing on a 7 down to 5 (2 up 1 down) then to 4-pieces actually.
It does the job and it fits perfect for me. I feel free while playing, enough space for movement and flexibility around the kit and good placement to play my lovely 24" ride...

belairien said:
I personally like them both, but i find i play better on a 4 piece is all.
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Ian Williams said:
I feel free while playing, enough space for movement and flexibility around the kit and good placement to play my lovely 24" ride...
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Ah the larger rides, a 4 piece does help with that a lot. I just recently got a 1960s Zildjian 22 inch ride, and if i had another tom, then it would either put the ride to far away, or to far over my floor tom
 
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