Small bulldog clips or clothes pegs…when playing outside it stops music blowing off the stand, when you need to spread music out to the parts of stand to avoid page turns (I once had 7 sheets of 16th notes given to me, no chance to turn pages!) or to clip cables out of the way or hold up small items like a triangle. Always in my stick bag and often come to the rescue!
After years of gigging on house kits I always carry a regular multi tool. Handy for Allen keys, screwdrivers etc. House kits sometimes tend to be in a bit of disrepair.
I've heard of some people bringing small battery fans 😁. I for one just bring sticks, mallets, a drumkey, my earplugs and in-ears, a few E-Rings, a bath chain, a practice pad, and my stick caddy.
A lot of great comments, and I'm showing my age a little, but a small bottle of antacids like TUMS. Can't let a greasy dinner choice make your tummy all grumbly for the gig. :) Also your own roll of gaff tape, if you differentiate "stick bag" and "gig bag" like me.
what a great list, i pack all of these but in my cymbal bag. the hi hat clutch is the most important (a lot of house kits dont have one). I would just add one thing: a 3.5mm extension 2-3m long, very often the cables are too short and it's a pain to play with the cable straightening
Just use a separate bag. Then you won't have to worry about volume or size constraints. One thing you didn't mention are actual tools - pliers, screwdriver with a few different bits, hex wrenches, etc. Something to clip music to stands can also be useful. And of course, a roll of gaff tape.
I always keep a spare towel in the bass drum as they are always useful. But i'd say a small rope or better an extra pair of shoe laces that allows you to stop a vintage bass drum from sliding forward.
Besides a stick bag, I use a Pearl kick pedal case for all kinds of items. Like my tempo ref, small metronome, 2 sets of ear protection, moongels, cables, adapter jacks, a roll of gaffer tape, cymbal parts, a Zoom H2 (for recording rehearsals or whatever), spare batteries, USB sticks and also stuff like mints, a towel, tissues, deodorant. It has an extra pocket for pens, setlists, postit notes, etc. Everytime I think of something useful it gets added.
One thing I think every musician should have (especially drummers) is duct tape. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed to use tape as an emergency for the past 4 years of my tour life. Tape also doubles as a muffling tool in case you don’t have moongel. One time I had to make a makeshift hi hat clutch only using tape and it actually worked
Kick pedal and hi-hat hardware: an extra return spring, pull-rod nut, extra washers, and a few different size nylon nuts that fit the various adjustment screws. Nylon nuts won’t back out and you can get through the gig. A metric Allen wrench set and a 1/4” socket driver and appropriate sockets for your hardware. This can double as a screwdriver w/ the right bits and be used to make your drill bit drum key into a hand tool. Extra string or straps for the snare, never know when something is going to strip out or give up. If you don’t mind carrying another small bag: A toolbox sized can of WD-40 and/or bottle of 3-in-1 oil, a rag, and a 1” paintbrush for cleaning, oiling, getting rid of the stick dust. Every musician at a gig needs to have a roll of gaffer tape and a towel, no matter what. I usually carry an old toiletries bag that includes all my tools and spare hardware. Most toiletries bags have clips and can attach to your stick or cymbal bag.
Thanks, a really good list. I always include Ibuprofen and Gastrostop pills in case of headache, or (God forbid,) diarrhea!!. I've been ill with these problems a couple of times in the past working as a drummer and on film crews. I thought Andy might have also included a slotted key for Premier or Sonor drums?
I have almost everything described here. Differing percussive devices sometimes depending on my assignment. One thing you mention I never seem to have... cables and adapters. I always bum them from people. I will correct that since it is a simple thing without taking much space.
I also bring a Sonor Screw-drive type drum key for older Sonor or British drums. And the hihat clutch needs to be of the Pearl brand since they have a larger hihat rod than all others if the house kit happens to be Pearl. I bring extra snare strings if they break. Apart from that I bring just about all you said. Plus a yellow highlight marker pen.
Also having maybe a bandana to muffle my snare is a must have in my sick bag😀and you can change you sound by covering big or smaller amounts of the drum head. Also pencils cause you may need to make changes in your music
I have also had it suggested that a rug to sit whole kit on & a spare kick pedal are worthwhile. However, I have only used the rug once and never had a kick pedal disaster requiring a replacement.
1:15 that is why I want to collect drum sticks from famous drummers with the same end (The wood with the same sharp end like Vic firth) I also want a vater stick with Linkin Park logo on it too.
Things required by a drummer while going for a gig and during gig Sticks in a stick bag Napkin Waterbottel Mobile holder Wallet holder Medicine Drum key Hardware like extra tention rod,lug, a beater,device kwik, moon gel,duct tape ,damper sponge, screw driver ,blade allen key (alanki) extra snare head,cymbal felts,notation stand
lol you mentioned phone adapters but you didnt mention the one that no one ever has when you need it : a phone charger, i have chargers in all of my gear bags ( the ones I have fit not only iphones, but mini usb and usb-c also)
You gotta have at least 2 drum keys with you. Those things love to grow little feet, run into the abyss, and disappear forever. I actually have 4 myself. Overkill? Maybe, but it’s better to have more than to have less.
Hello there. I didn’t understand the name of that sort of elastic to attach a splash to the snare…. Is it a drum g???? This is what sounds to me. Thanks for answer.
