How To Be An Organized Drummer - Part 2
* Check out Part 1 of this discussion that was published on December 8th 2025.
Having been a professional musician for over 40 years I have developed a system to prepare my gear for any type performance I am called upon to play.
As a drummer and also as a percussionist I have a lot of parts and pieces to pack up, transport and set up, whether it is the drums themselves or the hardware that holds them in place. A keen knack of not forgetting anything is something I developed over the years with the many different configurations of either my drum set or the various percussion instruments I also play.
If the instruments I need to use are different from my standard set up, I will spend some time listing each piece and its required hardware. That list is first written out then I take a picture of it with my phone so when packing up at my storage space I know exactly what to bring with no risk of leaving behind an important item - or the list! I also laminate the list and then tape it to the inside of my hardware box lid.
This is all especially important for out of town gigs where there is no "going back to get something" option available.
By having this process down to a science, in all my years I have never forgotten anything that was what I consider a "show-stopper". A show-stopper is an item that you simply cannot go on (easily) without: A broken snare wire or kick pedal spring, a missing hi hat clutch or drum throne are all showstoppers. I have a list of items that I consider vital to guarantee that the show does go on and I pack these always.
For drum set gigs
- Pedal springs, loops, extra screws
- Hi hat clutch
- Snare wires and straps
- Cymbal felts, washers and wingnuts
- Snare head & Kick drum head
- Extra sticks
For the band I also pack:
- Guitar strap and picks (yes, it happens)
- 9-volt batteries
- Extra sound, microphone and power cords
- Tool kit with Soldering iron and assorted spare parts
- Duct tape (strongest available)
Now that I have all these safeguards in place I can relax and concentrate on the important part - playing the music. No longer is it a panicked scramble to get my gear together when in a hurry. Even if I am rushed for time I slow down for the gathering/packing process to guarantee I don't miss a thing. The extra time it takes beats realizing at the venue 200 miles from home that you forgot the snare stand.
In closing I will mention the load out. When you are tired and just want to be finished and go home is the time to be extra diligent so as not to leave something behind. Avoid the temptation to let someone "help" you with your gear as (for me) everything has its own way of breakdown and its own place in the truck or van. That way it is where you expect it to be for the next gig.
Even my hardware box is packed in a certain order to make the next set up faster. Always go back for the idiot check with a bright flashlight if necessary to gather anything that was left behind.
It is surprising how many items are caught in this last minute sweep of the area. I check my listed items in my head once again at this point to assure that nothing is forgotten before I drive away.
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