Drummers and percussionists t use a type of percussion “instrument” called a practice pad to aid in the development of good technique. Designed to play and feel like a drum, practice pads are basically imitation drums and produce lower-volume sounds than a regular drum.
A high-quality practice pad should be forgiving and flex like a drumhead. The response of a typical snare drum is a good example to judge by. The models with firm but pliable rubber simulate this natural feel are the most popular pads. How realistic and “drumhead like” the response depends on the thickness and quality of the rubber. It’s very important that the pad sound and feel “real” at a normal stick velocity. If you dislike the unnatural surface and sound that some pads have, it won’t inspire you to practice.
Although made of rubber, the Gladstone style pad is the worst type of drum practice pad available. It has a terrible feel land sound. The Remo RT5 is the next worst type. Many music stores sell them because they are tunable and cheap but they suffer from the same affliction as the Gladstone pad; they sound horrible and feel bad.
Constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes, practice pads are by design are thin and lightweight for ease of transport.
Variations include:
- Harder of softer playing surfaces
- Non-skid bases that can also double as muted playing surfaces
- Threaded nut affixed to or embedded into the base for attachment to a cymbal stand
- Special base and straps for attaching the pad to the player’s knee
- Simulation of snare drum sounds via various hardware features
- Digital models can incorporate a”coach” to analyze your playing and give you results
- Built-in metronomes and the ability to “tune” are features of many electronic drums
- Full drumset practice pad sets
- Pads designed specifically for brush practice
- Rudiments printed on the surface of the pad
Placing the pad directly on the batter head of an actual snare drum will activate the drums’ snare-side response while severely muting the sound of the drum itself.
Pre-Purchase Checklist:
- How natural and giving is the surface?
- Is stick rebound similar to a drumhead?
- Does easy portability matter?
- What diameter feels comfortable?
- Is a full set including the bass drum needed?
- Will a metronome or “computer coach” be required?
- Is mounting on the pad on a cymbal stand important?
- Will it be used on a snare stand?
- What is my budget?
Practice pads are very useful and offer many advantages. One big benefit to using the practice pad is it is very unforgiving. You will be able to hear and see where you are weak, and where you need improvement. Having a lot quieter tone, it allows you to hear a lot more of your drumming, and you can hear the metronome louder than your playing surface – making it harder to cover up your mistakes by the sound of the drum.
Another big advantage to using the practice pad is the ability to track your progress. This is what will allow you to improve much faster. Having only one drum sound will force you to focus on the essentials, like grip and stroke technique, rudiments and stick control.
All in all the practice pad is a must for drummers. Dividing your time between a snare or drum set and the practice pad will turn you into a well-rounded drummer, ready to take on any style of music!