Drum Kit Parts and Accessories

Main parts of a drum kit:




Extra Cymbals:

Splash cymbals



China Cymbals


Effects Cymbals:


Bell Cymbals:



Percussive Accessories:

Cowbells

Tamourines (and hihat tambourines)







Wood Blocks




Extra Hardware:

Double Pedals


Clamps


Stand Arms


Drum Racks



Extra Drums:

Rack Toms


Piccolo drums




Electronic Kit Equipment:

Full electronic drum kit (electronic drums, cymbals and drum brain)







Electronic Sampling Pads



Practice Equipment:

Practice Kit

Practice Pads



Silencing/Dampening Equipment:

Drum and Cymbal Silencing Pads


Dampeners (for inside drum shells)

Dampening Rings


Moongel



Mic-ing Equipment:

Mic Clips


Mics



Snare Drum Accessories:

Side Blocks



Hoop Crashers



Cymbal Accessories:

Cymbal Sizzlers and Rattlers


Rivets


Playing Tools:

Drumsticks



Mallets

Brushes


Rods



Tuning Tools:

Drum Keys




Electronic Drum Tuners


Drum Keys for Drills





Transportation Equipment:

Soft Drum Cases



Soft Cymbal Cases



Hard Drum Cases



Hard Cymbal Cases




Terminology

The breakables: Sticks, various cymbals, snare drum, and sometimes the bass drum pedal.

The shells: Bass drum and toms

Extensions: Cowbell, tambourine, or any other individual instrument (part/component) which is not part of the standard kit.

Hardware: Cymbal stands, drum stands, pedals

There are several reasons for this division. When more than one band plays in a single performance, the drum kit is often shared between/among the drummers. Often the main act will provide most of the drum kit, as they are being paid more, possibly have the better gear, and would be on last out of the line up. However, sticks, snare drums and cymbals are commonly swapped, each drummer bringing their own, and sometimes other components. The term breakables refers to whatever basic components the "guest" (other) drummers are expected to bring.

Similar considerations apply when using a house kit (a drum kit owned by the venue), even if there is only one band performing.

Many of the same considerations apply to bass drum pedals and stools too, but these are not always considered breakables, particularly if changeover time between bands is very limited. Swapping the snare drum in a standard kit can be done very quickly. Replacing cymbals on stands takes longer, particularly if there are many of them, and cymbals are easily damaged by incorrect mounting, so many drummers prefer to bring their own cymbal stands.