Ten Benefits for Using a Four-Piece Drum Set

[@CharlesTPrimm]

I'm a long-time 4 piece player and appreciate your keen insights. I especially appreciate your use of the word "set" rather than "kit" and "bass drum" rather than "kick drum." You got that right! Thanks for posting. Cheers.

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

I agree with #9, but not for the same reason. Ringo's playing is very simple compared to Neil Peart's playing. Would a guitar player ever remove 4 of the 6 strings to play simpler? Would a piano player ever remove 66 of the 88 keys to play simpler? Would a trumpet player ever remove 2 of the 3 valves to play simpler?

[@DirtySk8RatStaney]

All of those reasons are 100% valid, and most four piece guy’s are 4 piece guys for life! I’ve basically stuck with a four piece for all 30+ years of playing. In fact Ive tried a few times to get used to a second floor tom or a side snare, but I’m so used to four drums I wind up forgetting it’s even there kinda. I’d say a good 11th benefit is with four drums you’re seen and can see what’s going on. Like I’m sure it’s sometimes difficult for guys that play huge kits with Toms and cymbals all in their direct line of sight, to be able to see the other guys on stage. And depending on if you’re paying attention to other band members for changes or if something goes unexpected. Its nice to not have your lead singer obscured by a 10” tom and a 17” crash cymbal on two separate stands. Also it allows you to be seen behind the kit. I sometimes get bummed out going to see a band live, and only get to see the drummer when he stands up.

[@petrtroschenkov360]

A Cowbell… I would say is “ must have” 😊

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

I disagree with #6. I play a 10-piece double-bass with 5 toms, 2 aux snare drums and cymbals wrapped 180-deg around me. THAT is ergonomic. When I play my John Bonham 1-up/2-down set up with 26" bass, that is NOT ergonomic. The large jump from the mounted tom to the floor toms is nowhere near as easy to play as my 10-piece.

[@Gk2003m]

I have a 13 piece set, with a 4-piece trying to get out of it. Based on the principle of subsets, every kit larger than a 3-piece contains a 4-piece. Any kit of 5 pieces or more contains multiple 4-piece sets. My set contains dozens of 4 piece sets!

[@benjaminpeternorris]

After years of playing a 6 piece kit, I've just downsized it to a 4 piece. I so wish I'd done it sooner - it's a blast to play, and far more ergonomic. I love having the ride cymbal in close, and even my bass drum is better placed. It also takes up far less space in my drum room. I can't exactly play 'In The Air Tonight' on it - but it's surprising how dropping a couple of toms makes you more creative with your fills.

[@manog2105]

Oh great video, thanks for sharing!

[@justinroe6224]

Thanks for making this video. Downsizing is something that's been on my mind for a long time. However, I'm also looking forward to the next video about bigger sets! Lol

[@groove_daddy]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

I agree with your last point that a drummer who normally plays a large kit can easily transition to a 4-piece. But a drummer who normally plays a 4-piece does not feel comfortable behind a big kit. I've seen it first-hand - their head is spinning, it's too much to process.

[@groove_daddy]

I seem to recall a story of Charlie Watts sitting behind Simon Phillip's, and he said he was frightened. haha Thanks for watching!

[@DirtySk8RatStaney]

Yup, I’ve tried a few times to add just another floor tom or side snare. But every time I almost just forget it’s even there, like my brain is just used to there being four drum options and that’s it!…🤷🏼‍♂️

[@frankspikes7858]

Generally speaking I'm a 4 piece dude. And during rehearsal I'll smack on a 2 piece combo. Shut yo mouf!! Kick, snare, hats ride. Downtown with that discount son. It all depends on the venue. Every once in a green moon I'll play a 6 piece.

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

@@DirtySk8RatStaney LOL, that's funny!! I'm the opposite. My normal rig is 10-piece (5 toms, 2 bd's, 1 main snare + 2 side snares) and when I downsize to a 4- or even 5-piece my sticks smack the air where my brain "thinks" a drum or cymbal should be.

[@that-avr-drummer]

I'm in a 9 piece cover band that does everything from Aretha Franklin to Metallica and everything in between. I could never get away with a 4 piece kit.

[@DirtySk8RatStaney]

That’s not true, you might not be able to play it the way it’s played on the album. But 100% you can play any style and or song live on a four piece. It’s just a matter of playing it differently.

[@that-avr-drummer]

@@DirtySk8RatStaney I know, but, if you expect to get the job then you better be able to reproduce the sounds that the band expects! If you walk into an audition and they tell you to "play that long tom fill that starts high to low" and you say "sorry I only have 2 tom drums" or if they want "that fat, low tuned snare then change to the poppy snare on the chorus" and you say "sorry, I only have 1 snare drum" then guess what, the next guy with the proper set-up gets the gig, not you.

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

Good videos. Keep up the good work.

[@WilliamDelorenzo-y9v]

the little four piece, teeny weeny down sized because its easier to transport. Nothing wrong with an extra tom or two

[@morbidmanmusic]

8 and 9 are good. the rest is situational. The music dictates the amount of any factor involved/

[@julianprzybysawski8543]

Unless you're doing true-to-record 80's covers or Time by Pink Floyd, you do not need ten million toms and snares in your kit. The magic is in your hands (and feet), not the instrument. The audience couldn't really give less of a shit about what's in your setup, but they do care how you make them feel.

[@radoslavdragnev8797]

yeah sure play slipknot , dimmu borgir , dream theatre on one tom and see if it sounds as good as the original. Nope it doesn't. Some styles require more toms. If you are into these styles than more toms is the way to go. Also more toms open up tons on more paterns on the kit like tribal beats, breaks, fills,chops and many many other stuff. Yeah if you play ac/dc or just some jazzy things you can get away with 4 drums and do fine. But does a bigger kit open thousands of more oportunities? Yes. Does it look Cooler? Yes. IS it nesecery for certain styles of music? Yes. Can you do fine without it on most music ? Also yes. Its like playing a 76key keyboard instead of an 88 .. yeah you can transpose some stuff and not use the missing keys but it's just not the same