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DRUMMERS' EQUIPMENT
courtesy of Luis Nunez

1. A wrench, if needed, or a pulling aid for diamonds.
   
2. A seat: A non-rotating (you may fall off) standard kitchen chair size with the seat 17 to 19 inches from the floor with a back, if possible. Folding, lightweight wooden chairs available from Target US$12 approx.

   You cannot expect there to be chairs where you go to drum. If there are some, they probably will not be the most comfortable and practical to play on. Besides, you have no "right" to a chair unless you brought it. You may find yourself standing around waiting for someone else to give up a seat. Folding and stacking chairs are usually 16 inches high or less.

   (Wal-Mart , K-Mart and Target offer folding stools of the right height. Very handy. Luis)

3. A drum belt. This is often just a piece of rope with a bit of coat hanger wire for a hook. It helps to keep the drum in place and relieves the legs from gripping the drum all the time. Be classy, make one out of colorful or exotic material and use a brass snap swivel hook.  Or, a drum strap, see Africa Alive for colorful djembe straps.
   
4. Tape. It compresses the fingers so that the impact with the drumhead is transmitted evenly throughout the mass of the fingers. It also prevents the fingers from drying out and the skin from cracking. If your fingers start bothering you, wrap up with paper "masking" tape. For extended playing, use athlete's tape or "duct" tape.
   
5. Drink. Drumming can use up a lot of water. Bring lots of liquid. Try stuff like Gatorade, watered down orange juice, sugar water, iced coffee, etc. Beer is nice at parties and you burn it up fast. Sweet rum is traditional but forbidden in some parks.

   (Alcoholic beverages increase the rate of dehydration. I think plain water is the best bet. Luis)

6. Towel. A few paper towels to clean up any bird presents or spills on the drum head and to wipe hands or a sweaty brow.
   
7. Pencil and paper. An automatic pencil and graph paper come in handy to jot down rhythm ideas.
   
8. Plastic sheet. To cover your drum in case of intermittent rain.
9. Sweat band around forehead for obvious reasons.  Get a colorful one, be snazzy.
10. Wrist sweat bands to protect your drum head from getting wet. They are available in a multitude of colors.

 

(I would add: a drumstick to play cascara and rhythms that require it. An extra lug if you're playing for money. I also carry a small tape recorder. It's a great way to hear what the group really sounds like. Luis)

Luis M. Nunez
P.O. Box 750228
New Orleans, LA 70175
lmn02@gnofn.org