The intense shopping season is underway, and with the holidays, this question keeps coming up at the Woodbrass Drum Store: “My friend (my brother / my dad / my sister / my goldfish) plays the drums, what could I give them that they’d love so much they won’t resell it on a classifieds site two weeks later?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Our explanations are designed to be accessible to non-musicians, so you can think like a drummer and find the best possible gift… Good luck!
10 – A shaker
A shaker is one of the most basic forms of percussion, which you can even make yourself by filling an empty yogurt pot (preferably empty…) with sand or small pebbles. In stores, shakers usually come in the shape of plastic eggs and depending on the brand, have a higher or lower pitch, which is why having several is an advantage! It’s a sound that’s super easy to carry around and will allow your drummer friend to accompany acoustic jams with guitarists who never have transport issues. And even behind a huge kit, a shaker is perfect for spicing up an acoustic intro before going full throttle.
Example: Stagg Pair of Plastic Egg Shakers EGG-2 YW
09 – Drumsticks
This might seem obvious or even silly, but a drummer needs drumsticks. Of course, there are the sticks they use daily, the ones they feel at home with and need because they don’t last forever (and they break more often the more they play), but there are also other sticks with different shapes, made from different woods or with different tips (the end that strikes the drumhead), which will let your dear drummer change the sound of their kit and maybe even find a new favorite.
Example: Vic Firth Pack of 4 Pairs 5A American Classic Terra
08 – A drumstick bag
To carry all those sticks, you need a bag! And since no backpack is ever the right size (except one designed by a drumstick brand, of course!), a drummer without a stick bag is doomed to carry their tools in a plastic bag or by hand, which is probably the best way to lose them. Drumstick bags range from simple single-pocket fabric bags to multi-pocket leather bags, for all uses and budgets.
Example: Vic Firth Classic Stick Bag 12 Pairs
07 – A Kalimba
The kalimba, also known as Sanza, Mbira, or “thumb piano,” is a wooden box adorned with metal tines that you pluck with your fingers to produce very distinctive sounds. The notes have a bell-like resonance, rich in harmonics and not necessarily tuned to Western scales. The kalimba is found in traditional African music but also in the hands of adventurous bands like King Crimson, Genesis, Wilco, and Nine Inch Nails. Available models vary in size and number of tines, but even the smallest ones are a great way to expand your drummer’s sonic palette.
Example: Hokema B9 – 9 Tines in A Minor Scale
06 – A cowbell
Yes, the good old bell that hangs around the necks of charming cows in our greenest pastures can become a sonic treasure in the hands of a skilled drummer. It’s an essential element for any salsa, mambo, or cha-cha-cha percussion kit, but just listen to “Honky Tonk Women” by the Rolling Stones or “We’re An American Band” by Grand Funk Railroad to be convinced of the cowbell’s use in a rock context. The biggest brands offer several sizes that sound different depending on the musical context.
Example: Pearl Elite Fusion 6“
05 – A glockenspiel
In German, glockenspiel literally means “play of bells,” in other words, a carillon. It’s played with mallets or sticks, which links it to the drums, and its range usually spans only two octaves, allowing even the most harmony-averse drummers to produce beautiful melodies. The carillon produces a light, metallic, and airy sound that evokes the innocence of a music box, and this sound is very trendy in today’s music. No need for many notes: listen to the very subtle accompaniment in the intro of Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing for a great example.
Example: Gewa Glockenspiel
04 – A metronome
It’s well known: the hallmark of a good drummer is rhythm! And for that, nothing beats a trusty old metronome. This simple little box keeps time according to the tempo you set, and the more advanced ones can even act as mini drum machines. For a drummer, a metronome is both a tool for practicing at home and a great way to listen to a song’s tempo before giving the count at a concert or rehearsal. The other band members will appreciate this stability, which is the mark of true pros.
Example: Korg Tuners Tuners MA-2 BKRD
03 – An electronic pad
Having a nice drum kit is great, but even for the best players, the sounds you can get from a few drums are limited. Many drummers add a pad to their arsenal to multiply the sounds available. Depending on the model, it can be simple percussion sounds (like the Alesis Percupad), or a wide variety of samples and even sequences programmed by the drummer themselves to enrich the band’s compositions. The benchmark is the Roland SPD-SX, but given its price, it’s better to chip in together!
Example: Alesis Sample Pad
02 – A cajon
It all started in Peru, where traditional music made intensive use of this wooden box, and the story continues on stages worldwide today, where the cajon is a simple and effective way to bring rhythm to a band without lugging around a complicated kit. Modern cajons usually have a snare, giving them the metallic snap of a snare drum, and drummers typically play sitting on the box (which avoids having to carry an extra seat — one less thing to haul from the car to the venue!). The trend is so strong that there are now cajons decorated in all colors, or even DIY assembly kits. A truly essential tool for today’s pros.
Example: Woodbrass Cingaro Bubinga
01 – A snare drum
The snare drum is the centerpiece of a drum kit, forming the essential duo with the bass drum. It usually marks the backbeat (the 2 and 4), and its character can vary greatly depending on its brand, material (metal or wood), and tuning. Just as a guitarist can never have too many guitars, a drummer can never have too many snares. They might even switch them out depending on the song, or at least choose the model best suited to the band’s style and the venue. The good news is that even an inexpensive snare can have a personality that’s interesting for a particular track. You’ll pick it for the look, they’ll keep it for the sound.
Example: Gretsch Drums Renown Maple 14X6.5 Gloss Natural
