Drumming Accessories

There is no shortage of accessories on the market for drummers. I’ve distilled the vast sea of cool gear down to this list of 15 accessories which are definitely nice to have, if not completely necessary.

Metronome:

It is IMPERATIVE for any drummer to have a decent metronome in their collection of toys. There are a ton of options out there from inexpensive to ridiculously expensive. At the end of the day, you’ll want something to keep time with.

Boss Dr. Beat DB-90: This metronome is the gold standard and most widely used in terms of advanced metronomes. It has a lot of great features that help with subdivision especially.

Tama Rhythm Watch RW30: This is a less expensive yet still feature rich metronome, specifically designed for drummers.

Stick Bags:

Gotta keep all of those sticks together. What better way than this affordable Vic Firth stick bag.

Hearing Protection:

Ear plugs are a go-to, but even better are noise reduction headphones you can plug into your fancy new metronome! The go-to set for years has been the Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones.

Sticks, Brushes, Mallets, etc:

If you’re serious about drumming, it’s likely you won’t just stop at one pair of sticks, but also invest in some brushes various stick alternatives that are out there.

Brushes: A decent set of wire brushes won’t set you back much and are a great way to explore the jazz genre, or experiment with some cool and unique drum sounds.

Hot Rods: Made by ProMark, Hot Rods are a nice set in between brushes and sticks, allowing you to play at a lesser volume while still benefiting from the tone of your drums.

Mallets: Typically used on keyboard instruments, cymbals or timpani, there is no rule book which states that you can’t use a nice pair of mallets on your drum set. This set of Vic Firth T3 Staccato mallets has a nice blend of hard and soft playing head.

Drum Cases:

If you’re traveling a lot and gigging, cases (or bags) are a must have in order to protect your investment. A decent set of cases/bags cost a fraction of pricetag of your drums and help you keep your kit looking and sounding good for years.