4 Drum Tips to Keeping Peace With Your Neighbors

4 Drum Tips to Keeping Peace With Your Neighbors

by Daniel N. Brown


If you're like me, when you first started playing the
drums you may have been a little concerned that your
neighbors would call the police on you. Or worse, your
family would stone you to death!

Some people just can't handle the volume, but don't
worry, if you're just starting out, your dreams of
becoming a great drummer can still come true.

There are some quick fixes to help keep your family,
friends, and neighbors at peace while still allowing
you to drum. Just follow these four solid drum tips...

1. Communicate

Typically, your family and neighbors are the ones who
are most affected by your choice to drum. So, the
considerate, and smart thing to do is have a little
talk with these people and work out a way for everyone
to agree.

Find out if there are better and worse times for you to
practice your drums. Just never assume anything!
Sometimes people can get really agitated about
something, but just never speak up about it. You don't
want any "silent enemies." These kind tend to talk
behind your back!

2. Invest in Drum and Cymbal Mutes

Personally, I have a full shag carpet in my practice
room. I even have it going half way up the walls. It
does a great job of keeping the sound right there in my
room.

But, if you're not interested in a shag carpet for
whatever reason, consider investing in practice pads
for your drumset. These drum accessories significantly
reduce the amount of sound your drums and cymbals send
out.

I'll be the first to admit that playing with pads isn't
near as much fun as playing without them, but they sure
make you appreciate the sound of your drumset when it's
not muted.

3. Soundproof Your Practice Room

You really don't have to spend a lot of money
soundproofing your practice room. like professional
drummers do.

You can easily create your own soundproof room with
some carpet scraps. I have already mentioned that I
have a shag carpet on my floor and walls and it does an
excellent job. The only time my neighbors hear me drum
is if I open my windows, which I do sometimes on a rare
occasion if I'm feeling a little assertive.

Anyway, carpet scraps provide excellent soundproofing!
Go to your local carpet store and ask for some free
scraps. Then, apply them on the walls and ceiling of
your drum practice room. If these carpet scraps are
really thin, then layer them.

4. Play Electronic Drums

An electronic drumset is not for everybody. In fact,
some drummers just hate them because they say they are
not really drums. The theory is, drums are supposed to
be an acoustic instrument, and by plugging something in
to an electrical outlet, it is no longer acoustic.

Whatever your theory is, if you live in a small space
and have really no other way to keep your volume low
enough to please everyone, an electronic drumset may be
the best solution.

With the option to adjust the volume in your
headphones, you can actually drum as loud as you want.
It's just that you are the only one who can hear it.

Conclusion

The only thing louder than you on your drums are the
people who are screaming at you to knock it off.

People will try to steal your fun on the drumset
because they just can't handle the volume, which is
understandable. Don't let anyone steal your fun!
Bang on your drums all day, but bang on them
using some consideration, and you can then
bang in peace.

Daniel N. Brown has been drumming since 1976! Get his
FREE Special Report, "The 10 Greatest Drum Tips Ever"
when you subscribe to his FREE Weekly E-letter...