How To Be An Organized Drummer

How To Be An Organized Drummer

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. 

This is the list I have for a typical percussion gig.

- Congas (2) & stands

- Bongos & stand

- Timbales & mount

- Cowbells (3)

- Agogo Bell & mount

- Jam Blocks (2)

- Temple Blocks & mount

- Wind Chimes & boom arm

- Shekere

- Rainstick

- Gibralter Rack system 

- LP Everything rack for cowbells/blocks

- China cymbals, splash

- Cymbal boom arms (3)

- Crashers (2) & mounts

- Miscellaneous sound effects bag

- Stick bag/Tool kit

- Carpet

- Microphones and cords (+ extras)

And my list for a drum set gig:

- Kick drum & pedal

- Snare & stand

- Rack tom(s) and mount

- Floor tom(s) and legs

- Stands for cymbals

- Cymbals

- Extra clamps

- Microphones and cords (+ extras)

- Stick bag/Tool kit

- Carpet

As this is now very familiar to me I can easily run through it in my head as I am packing up for a session. I do this by picturing each instrument (and its mounting hardware) then gathering and packing it before going on to the next item. After doing this a few times it became second nature for me to build the kit in my mind to ensure nothing is forgotten - with out a list that I might forget to bring! 

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