Which drum kit is best for which genre?

🥁 As you know, the drums that make up a drum kit are available in different sizes, with the smallest toms measuring eight inches and the biggest bass drums usually topping out at 26 inches. All drum makers offer pre-configured sets in several sizes for different preferences, musical styles, and players of different heights. You have a plethora of options when it comes to choosing your preferred sizes and colors – especially in the upper price range. But which sizes are best for you? And which sizes should your complete drum kit or shell set consist of?

Firstly, you should know that the diameter of a drum defines its pitch range and maximum volume. A small 8″ tom will have a rather high-pitched sound; it is physically incapable of producing thundering bass frequencies. The same applies the other way around. Therefore, the drum sizes you choose roughly determine how high or low your overall sound will be. If you want to play fast, busy grooves, smaller, more responsive drums may be more suitable. Conversely, louder rock in a moderate tempo calls for larger drums. In this blog, we’ll provide some pointers to help you decide. We hope you’ll find some inspiration.

“Studio Set”: The Versatile Drum Kit

Since the 1970s, a drum set consisting of a 22″ bass drum, two suspended toms (often 12″ and 13″), and a 16” floor tom has been the most common configuration. Slightly smaller tom sizes later became popular alternatives, with 10″, 12″, and 14″ or 16″ being common. When combined with a smaller 20” bass drum, this is also referred to as a “fusion” or “studio” set.

DrumCraft Series 3 Studio Impulz TQS

For the snare drum, sizes ranging from 14″ x 5″ to 14″ x 6.5″ are still the most versatile and can be used for almost anything. If you’re more into funk, fusion, hip hop, neo-soul, and similar styles, a 20″ bass drum might be a better fit. The same is true if you’re a bit shorter. Conversely, if you want a drier bottom-end “thud,” you might be better off with a larger bass drum. By the way, many manufacturers offer individual drums in matching colors to expand your existing set – even after years.

Pearl EXX725SBR/C Export Bl. Cherry

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“Bop Kit” – Not Just for Jazz

Named after the bebop style of jazz, the so-called bop kit consists of an 18″ bass drum, a 12″ rack tom, and a 14″ floor tom. This is usually combined with a 14″ snare drum in standard depth. This kind of drum kit is particularly suitable for swing, jazz, and – of course – bebop.

Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz – SWG

But you can also use it for many other styles, such as hip hop, funk, and other styles that require a small, more tonal-sounding bass drum. And there’s a great bonus: it’s travel-friendly and easy on your back.

Sonor AQ2 Bop Set WHP

Micro drum kits – when a compact size is key

In recent years, the bop kit has been joined by even smaller configurations, sometimes referred to as micro drum sets, jungle kits, or club sets. They usually feature an even smaller 16″ bass drum, complemented by very small or shallow toms and snare drums.

Sonor AQ2 Safari Set WHP

Some can even be stacked inside each other. The idea is simple: this type of kit is very easy to play and, above all, highly portable. It also requires very little space on stage, hence the name “club.” Interestingly, these small kits often sound much more grown-up than you would expect. No wonder they are becoming increasingly popular.

Tama Club J. Pancake Set Bundle HBK

Pearl Compact Traveler Kit

“Bonham Set”, “1 Up 2 Down” and other rock classics

Do you play powerful, backbeat-heavy styles such as rock, stoner, grunge, or similar? Then you probably have to compete against loud guitars and need a lot of bottom-end punch. In terms of technique and sound, the role model for this style of drumming will always be John Bonham, the most influential rock drummer of all time and part of the legendary British band Led Zeppelin. His drum kit consisted of a huge 26″ bass drum, equally impressive toms – a 15″ rack tom mounted on top of the bass drum (“1 up”) and two floor toms (“2 down”) – and a snare drum.

DW Satin Oil 1up 2down Natural

Few people use 26″ bass drums regularly these days, but 24″ is a popular size for a fat rock sound. That said, you can of course customize this configuration – there’s nothing wrong with a smaller bass drum and various combinations of rack toms and floor toms. Or you can take inspiration from our complete sets.

Pearl Crystal Beat Rock Clear

Ludwig Continental 3pc 26″ Set G

Two bass drums scream “metal”!

Are you looking for a space-saving, portable drum kit that is easy to mic? Then a double bass drum set is probably not the right choice for you. However, if you’re looking to maximize your stage presence, deliver a performance worthy of the genre, and have a lot of fun, consider getting yourself one of these. Unless your band has a drum tech and drum roadie, a kit with two bass drums is of course more of a gut decision than a rational one. But it does have its advantages.

Pearl Export Double Bass Set Black

Depending on the configuration, you can of course split up the kit and use its components in different combinations. This makes a double bass drum set more versatile than you might think: while it’s especially well-suited for metal, extreme metal, and rock, it can also be used for many other styles.

Tama Imperialstar Double B.Set -BOB

Don’t sweat it – anything goes!

Finding the right drum kit for you and your style is an important step if you want to get the best sound and most fun out of your instrument. But do you need a specific combination of drums to be able to play a certain style? Absolutely not! Some metal drummers swear by 18″ bass drums and some jazz drummers like to have fun with five toms. Many legendary musicians have become famous because they broke the rules. However, depending on where you are in your drumming career, familiarizing yourself with the typical sounds of different drum kit configurations can be very helpful and you can learn a lot by imitating them. And remember: the drum set is a modular instrument that you can expand (and downsize) any way you like! Our specialists in the drum department will be happy to help.

Which style do you feel comfortable with? Which drum kit suits your style best?

And why? We’re curious – feel free to leave us a comment 👇

Simon's passion for music generated a long time ago, and led him to become a guitarist and self-produce his music with the band Onyria.

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