basically you know how it is when you gig you always seem to forgot 1 little thing or another, but most times you can get away with it, well tonight i had a gig a good hours drive away and i managed to forget my hi hat clutch....MY GOD ITS SO DIFFICULT WITHOUT ONE!!! i managed to creat a half decent one with cymbal felts and gaffa tape

I have had a high-hat clutch break on me during a set... I feel for you.
About 3 months ago, I was setting up after the opening band was done and realized that I had left my throne back at the practice room! One of the other drummers let me use theirs (drummers have to stick together you know), but it was an older seat that could only be adjusted by dropping a set-screw... and I didn't have a screwdriver. It is amazing how difficult it is to play when your seat height is more than an inch or two away from what you are used to...








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Stand back! I have a COWBELL... and I am not afraid to use it.........
Saluda Cymbals - B20 never sounded so good...

I have an older style Pearl Icon drum rack, and to adjust it I have only 1 rack key. I usually end up forgetting that in the shuffle of packing everything lol. I always have to keep a few extra allen wrenches along in case that happens lol.








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http://www.myspace.com/treadkillred

http://www.myspace.com/shirleyd

I realise that most seasoned drummers already know this, so I am posting this for newer guys

One of the best things you can do to avoid this type of situation is to have a uniform or regimented breakdown procedure (before and after the gig)
Obviously, you will have more time and space to break down your kit before a gig in your room so use this time to determine what you need to take and what you need to leave behind (those 4 extra cymbals you never use for example)
Practice breaking down your kit a couple of times
If you can get some white gaff tape, label all stands, accessories etc... and take a mental picture in your head of what pieces go in what cases (if you have cases)
Try to label as many "questionable" items with your anme and your band name as possible (stick bags, cymbal bags etc...)
Also, try not to scatter your equipment around too much or, the reverse, try not to pile leftover equipment in one spot
Things that arent supposed to be left behind will be more visible when you do your "idiot check"
This will allow you to take a visual account of the equipment you are leaving behind and you can spot that hi-hat clutch more easily
I have even known people to make a list and put it up on a wall
One anal retentive friend has a markerboard and he makes a checklist before he breaks down
You usually do not need too many tools (a multi tool is the best but do bring a good set of pliers) and they usually fit in the pocket of your stick bag


When you are at the gig, it is a LOT more chaotic and this is where most people lose their equipment
Most of us do not have the luxury of completely breaking down the drumkit on the stage so you should try to get your kit off the stage with minimal teardown
The least amount of little pieces you have to carry from stage to backstage, the better
Obviously, some things have to be taken apart if you are going to carry them
Especially that big ass rack unit!
Try to establish an area before the gig that will be "yours"
This can happen peacefully by working it out with the club and your fellow bands sharing the bill
Once you have estblished your area and have taken your equipment to the stage, try to cordon off your area with cases etc....
This is less to keep people from touching your stuff and more to keep a defined area that you can quickly put all your gear
Here's where it really sucks to be the drummer
Try to resist the after show cameraderie (and flirting with girls) and concentrate on taking stock of your equipment whilst breaking down
If you have a system for breaking down beforehand, try to stick to it after the gig
Yes, I realise that the guitar player is going to take 3 minutes to pack his pedals and get out to mack on that chick you all had your eye on but realise that the singer has already gotten there first (because he has NO equipment to worry about)
Besides, your equipment is more important than a chick right?!?!

It is possible to keep track of your equipment in such a chaotic environment provided that you use the proper planning
Now go out there and get that chick!








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You say irritant, I say catalyst

Gazdkw82§ wrote:

MY GOD ITS SO DIFFICULT WITHOUT ONE!!! i managed to creat a half decent one with cymbal felts and gaffa tape

LOL, way to go

i always keep almost like checklist as i load up and get a "system"








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Pearl Drums(Endorsed)
Remo Heads
Vic-Firth Drumsticks
Zildjian Cymbals

www.myspace.com/justinhdrums

www.Davidshelbymusic.com

well normally im very good but my car is bust so the guys from my band kindly took a couple of items each, only problem was i had left my stick bag at my mates house and in there i keep my hi hat clutch. i was lucky i had a spare pair of sticks in my cymbal case.

good news this week though was that i got a new ride 21" sweet ride, its awesome!

my girlfriend bought me that ride for christmas. it sonds killer








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Pearl Drums(Endorsed)
Remo Heads
Vic-Firth Drumsticks
Zildjian Cymbals

www.myspace.com/justinhdrums

www.Davidshelbymusic.com

I'm in a full time touring band, and when we're on the road we play a show just about every night.

One thing i've noticed is that in almost every touring band, the drummer is the one who packs up the band's trailor after the show. I guess we're so used to having to pack up our cars when we first start playing shows that packing a trailor is just easy.

Either way, i've learned that having a pattern in loading/unloading is just as important as having a pattern of setting up/tearing down your equipment. If you have that pattern everything will fit easily into the trailor and you wont have to figure out where to put the drums, guitars, amps, merch bins, or luggage every night. And if you have forgotten something it will be obvious because there will be a hole in your trailor and something wont fit right.

Also, this is just side note:

If you are a drummer new to playing shows. It is extremely, extremely nerve racking to older drummers when you tear down onstage. I have literally sat and had to watch a younger drummer take down his whole set while i wait right offstage to set up. For touring bands it is very important to get onstage quickly because most people only come for one band and will leave as soon as that band has played. We have to hope that we can get on fast enough to keep them there.

Just a thought, there is more room to take down offstage anyway.

Thanks.

If you're bored, check us out. Maybe you'll like us.

myspace.com/theplanningfallacy








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DW Lacquer Specialty Tobacco (no fades here)

toms: 12x8, 16x13, 18x14
bass: 20x18
snare: 14x7 Edge

All 9000 Hardware

All Zildjian:
14 Groove Hats
20 A Custom Crash
21 A Custom Projection Ride

I always forget My Drum key......so now to not be without one....I have about 7 in various places in my car, I have about 4 in my stick bag, and a few others here and there, including one my girlfriend holds onto.....so I am never without one now.........I hate forgetting important stuff!!