Practice pad

A practice pad or drum pad, is a piece of equipment used by drummers and other percussionists to practice quietly, or to warm up before a performance.[1]

Remo WeatherKing RT series practice pad
A Movement Drum Co. 4-in-1 Pad being used with a metronome
Evans RealFeel practice pad.
Evans RealFeel practice pad.

Construction

A variety of practice pads have been developed to assist percussionists in different ways. Practice pads may be designed to approximate the tension and response of a true drumhead when struck, or to provide less rebound to train the percussionist’s muscles. They can be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are typically small and light enough to be easily portable. Many variations include harder or softer playing surfaces, non-skid bases (that can also double as muted playing surfaces), and fixing points allowing the pad to be connected to existing percussion hardware such as a cymbal or snare drum stand.[2]

Mylar

Some practice pads use a disk of mylar, or another material used in the construction of true drumheads, stretched over a substrate such as foam or rubber. These elements are fixed together by a rim of metal or plastic.[2]

Elastomer

Many other devices use a thin layer of elastomer, such as natural or synthetic rubber of various densities, as a playing surface. This type of rubber surface is either placed directly over the top of an existing drumhead, or stuck to the top of a solid substrate. The rubber is designed to reflect a drumstick or mallet after being struck in a way similar to that of a true drumhead.[3]

Mesh

Some practice pads use a disk of mesh stretched over a frame. The mesh is quieter when struck than rubber or mylar, and can be tuned to mimic different types of drum head by tightening and loosening it in the frame.[4]

Use

These devices can be placed on a wide variety of surfaces including the player’s lap, a tabletop or the head of an actual drum. Placing the pad on the head of an actual drum can have the effect of transferring to the drum’s natural snare-side response along with severely muting the sound of the drum. Several units are often arranged like a standard drum kit or practice purposes.

See also

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Practice pads.
  1. "What Are Drum Practice Pads?". The Vault at Music & Arts. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  2. "Drum Pads: Everything You Need To Know". Drumhead Authority. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  3. Ritz, Duran (6 November 2017). "What are the Best Practice Pads for Drummers?". The New Drummer. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  4. "Rubber Drum Pads vs. Mesh Drum Pads". Silent Drumming. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
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