From the perspective of a complete newbie, it's fairly easy to find information about different manufacturers, how much I'm going to need to spend, what sort of sound different drums produce most easily and so make a reasonably informed choice about where to get a drum. The problem is that I've not seen much discussion about how people decide what size to get.

I assume from simple physics that a larger drum can get you deeper, lower tones, and will also take up more space of course, but what other considerations of size are there that I should be taking into account?

In a similar vein, tippers come in different shapes and kinds. What should a novice do when getting a tipper? I assume it's at least partially influenced by the style in which one wishes to play.

As a fairly new player myself, I decided to go with a "versatile" size...not too small, not to large. I have two 15-inch drums, and I feel this is a great place to start. You can go as small as 12-inches (or smaller I guess), and as large as 20-inches plus.

I'm glad I went with 15-inch drums because it gives me the best idea of where I can go with a smaller and/or larger drum next time.

The properties of the drum skins have as much to do with the tonal qualities as the diameter of the drum.

-- ryan

15 inches sounds like a decent size then. Thanks!

Skin properties have a lot to do with the tone, yes, but there's plenty of information on that floating around. I'd just not seen anything on size yet.

Hi MaW

As a quick guide, measure the length between the bend of your elbow to the tips of your outstretched fingers, this should give you an idea of the largest size of drum you should go for.

As to bassiness, rim depth also has an effect, as well as skin diameter.

For tippers, my preference is 8-10 inches long and thin, or similar length but weighted at each end for soft skinned drums.

David

Hey MaW, Welcome to Bodojo

For my money 14" should be the average size for most people unless thay have large hands. For me it works better ergonomically for left-hand activity rather than having to cover lots of real-estate to change tones.

Unless you are aiming for subsonic tones, the diameter of the drum does not affect the pitch [frequency], that's a product of tension. The diameter *will* affect the volume [amplitude] with a smaller skin 'moving a smaller amount of air'.

I've played 14"'s pretty much exclusively for the past 4 or more years on stage in sessions and almost every possible use. I've never found them to be lacking in volume. A 15-16" standard drum is kind of alien to me now although we will become used whatever we usually play.

Most of us here will have had dozens if not hundreds of tippers, including several variations of 'the one'. It's almost impossible to recommend beyond 'try a few and see what suits'. There are definite types though, thin top end version for clarity, fatter rod versions for better bass response are the two most common. If you can get a rummage through another drummer's tipper bag than that's a good start.

HTH

Paul