Get Balanced: How To Sound Better Than Most Drummers

So many drummers want to play loud and fast, but taking the time to balance your sound on the kit will make you stand out and be a much better drummer. I have been fortunate to have taught hundreds of drummers of all skill levels. In that time, I have repeatedly seen drummers of all ages play with an unbalanced sound, which means that the hi-hat, snare, bass drums, ride cymbal, and tom volumes are off. As a result, they sound terrible, even though they may have good technique and lots of chops.

This article is going to discuss how you can balance your drumming by knowing what sounds should be dominant and what should be subdued in your overall drum set mix. To hear what a balanced kit should sound like check out the video below, which will discuss the four elements needed to get a balanced sound on the drums. Once you complete the video, keep reading for additional insights on each voice on the drum kit.

Here are the four things you should consider to get a balanced sound out of your drums and instantly sound better. 

One: Hi-Hat

Typically, the hi-hat is played too loud. Of course, this depends on the style that is being played, but usually the hi-hat should be played lighter than the snare and bass, as they should be the dominant voices in the groove. 

In some styles, the hi-hat will be more prominent in the mix. For example, when playing swing patterns the left foot hi-hat “chick” should be the dominant voice, as this is the backbeat of the groove, is used to feel time, and important for anyone dancing to the music. Likewise, hi-hat accents and lifts should pop against standard hi-hat patterns. 

Two: Snare

The snare should be one of the most powerful voices in your playing. If you are playing rock music, you should really dig into the snare. Of course, this needs to emphasise the backbeat (2 & 4). In some grooves, ghost notes will be used, which need to be quieter than all parts, as they are more implied than heard. Here is a demo of how to play ghost notes on the snare, be sure to observe the contrast between the backbeat and ghost notes. In addition, this video demonstrates the dynamic level of the snare drum when powerfully playing the backbeat.

Three: Bass Drum

Like the snare drum, the bass drum should be one of the strongest (loudest) parts of the groove. The bass drum is really an important element that makes people dance. It should be equal in volume to the snare drum. The only time this is not the case is in big band style swing grooves where the bass drum is “feathered,” which is a technique used to accompany walking bass lines. This can be heard in the video below. 

Four: Accents, Taps, Dynamics

This might be the most important part. To truly achieve a balanced drum sound you have to master accents, taps, and dynamics. Basically, you have to determine what part is the most important for the audience to hear. This is what separates good drummers from great drummers. Yes, we play tons of cool stuff underneath (rolls, drags, flams, ghost notes, etc), but in the end, the accents are what made drumming interesting, syncopated, and memorable. 

In addition, there are many different dynamics levels that should be observed, especially when playing drum fills. If you make dynamics a priority, it will transform your drumming. 

True Drum Set Balance

To get a balanced sound it really requires all four elements, which have to be incorporated into all of your drumming. A good way to check this is to record yourself and listen back to it. As you listen, ask yourself the following questions. Can you hear all of the percussive voices? Is the most important part the strongest? What adjustments do I need to make to dial in my sound? 

In the end, it is essential that you take the time to balance your sound on the kit, as this is the cornerstone of sounding great on the drums. Always keep this in mind as you learn new grooves, fills, and concepts. Yes, it will take time, but it will make you sound awesome. Give it a go and keep drumming. 

GET MORE

For more drum grooves, check out Tactical Drumming: Groove Survival Guide, which will show you a number of shuffle variations and other grooves. This can be found at https://tacticaldrumming.com or on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Qr56pN

By John Owens, Ph.D (Author, Drummer Educator). For John's bio go to https://tacticaldrumming.com