Drum Keys……….
For starters, drum keys have to be the most underrated tool we have to use for our drums. They get lost, forgotten and even left behind because the thought is “Ill just grab another one.”
Yet, these little tools help us shape the tone we desire to produce. If we don’t have them, we can’t really do much but just play. That only gets you so far because eventually you have to change out heads or tune.
If you don’t know, drum keys are used to turn the tension rods. Those tension rods go through the hoops ears/holes and is threaded into the lug connected to the shell. By turning the tension rods, you are able to manipulate the tension of the drum head stretched across the drum shells bearing edge. The end result is an audible tone that is produced by energy and sound traveling from the point of impact and through the shell.
BUT this would never happen if you where first not able to tune the drum with a drum key. You can say than, that drum keys are pretty Vital to a drummers experience on a drum kit, right!?!?!?!
Yeah, I think I would say so!!
Soooooo, with that being said these are some thing you can do to help raise awareness for the importance of drum keys.
– Start shopping around for a drum key that best fits you. (size, length, structure). Remember it’s ok if you don’t like one. You can always send it back.
– It’s ok to Take Your Time. Just like when you buy other gear, you shop around for what’s best for you and your situation.
– Grab two, so you have a back up and can use both for stereo tuning.
– STOP LOSING YOUR DRUM KEYS (unless you like spending money lol it adds up over time)
Lastly, if you are having problems losing your drum keys I believe it has a lot to do with you not investing time into a drum key that is personal to you. We don’t ever loose drum sticks, right?!?! Yeah we don’t because we try out sticks and find the one we know best fits us as the player. Its the same way with getting the perfect drum key as well!!!
A quick Challenge for you…….
Go online to different drum shops or music stores and start looking through some drum key options. Maybe buy one or two and try them out, you can always return it if you don’t like it. There are so many options, which means there is one for everyone.
Comment on this post and let me know what you came up with! Can’t wait to hear your stories!
Here are a couple that I use…..
Cherry Hill Luxury Drum Keys
Remo’s QuickTech Drum Key
Snareweights Speedy Drum Key
Gibraltar’s High Torque Drum Key
Testa Beat Drums 