How to set up ANY drumset for YOUR body, step by step

00:00 - Beginning
02:39 - Throne / Kick Placement
09:17 - Snare / Hihat Placement
19:21 - Floor Tom Placement
21:09 - Rack Tom Placement
27:10 - Cymbal Placement

Are you 100% comfortable at your drumset? If your answer to that question isn’t a resounding YES STEPHEN I ABSOLUTELY AM COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY COMFORTABLE AT MY KIT 100% OF THE TIME … then you need to watch this video!

It’s very possible that your kit setup (your throne height, pedal positions, snare angle, etc.) has been holding you back and causing you problems, even as you’re practicing well and doing all the right things. Today we’re troubleshooting and reworking your setup by putting the kit together step by step from square one.

BUT… there is one thing you physically need to be doing well, or else it won’t matter how perfect you get your setup. This is crucial, but don’t worry - I’ll show you exactly what you need to know. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Additional resources…

Rack tom basket stand comparison video

How to strike drums/cymbals properly for a pro sound (especially cymbal striking angle)
(Tip #2 @ 7:25)

I believe that ANYONE can learn the drums, and I believe you’re far more capable of becoming a great drummer than you think you are. Don’t sell yourself short! SUBSCRIBE for more Non Glamorous videos that get straight to the point of solving drumming frustration. Stay Non Glamorous, Everyone!

[ruthgibbins]

Thanks for these lessons! Im a 67 year old ‘teenager’ who has always wanted to learn the drums! I’ve been gifted an old set of drums and I aim to be playing in the church band by the end of the year! Loving it!

[olympianotter]

As a tall drummer I’ve been feeling awkward at the set since I started, this is exactly what I needed. Thanks Stephen!

[TPainlawguy]

Believe it or not I've waited almost 20 years for a video like this - thank you!

[Woodtyper]

I'm a self taught drummer since 1967. I've noodled through virtually every point you've made here. To me, the key is balance, and the ability to keep "centered" around your core, or spine, regardless of the style of music you're playing, or how energetic / loud. I play open handed, and the right hand carries just about every back beat (2 & 4, normally). I've only seen two, maybe three other drummers who look like they're playing left-handed in a right-handed kit. Works for me, and I'm still playing at an age somewhere north of 70! Jazz, pop, rock, reggae, country, worship...done it all, thanks to following the advice you've given here, which is mainly to be aware of what your body is telling you when you play. It should be essentially effortless when all the pieces are in the right place. Good vid. Thanks!

[NanLander]

Stephen, I am 5’. I think I finally figured this out since I started playing the drums a couple years ago. Your tips are great. I enjoyed the Hi-Hat stick placement and the different position for the bass pedal tips. Thanks so much for another great video. ❤️

[jimgibbs]

Great Video Stephen! I'm 6'4" and the detail you go into has helped me set up my kit for comfort and ability to work around the kit when playing and be much more comfortable while playing! Thank you!

[fabfishing]

I feel more comfortable just watching.. I'm 6.2 and really needed this! Excellent idea for a video Stephen! 💪

[RootsThatRuin]

THIS ONE. This is the setup video that’s actually useful. Thank you so much! Basically every single other video is like, “it’s all subjective and totally depends on what you want to do. Things shouldn’t be too high or too low, just figure out what works for you. Thanks, like and subscribe, ” and that’s it. So I REALLY appreciate you giving such specific suggestions.

I wish more drum videos (or videos for guitar or any other highly technical skill) gave the, “there are no rules” disclaimer, but followed it with specific suggestions that are likely to at least work as a starting point. And this did exactly that, so thank you 🙏

[ajrmusic]

Been playing professionally in Nashville for 7 years now and have been recently been struggling with balance and comfort on long 4-8 hour gig days. This video made me rethink my setup and i found my throne height had creeped up way too high and I lowered it by a good 6 inches. Feels so comfortable and was able to gain a ton more speed and control in my right foot that I felt had diminished in recent months. Gonna try it tonight on a long gig! thanks for the great videos Stephen!

[arturogorena]

After coming back to drumming 20 years ago to support my church I have always set up the church kits to my liking but this video made so much sense in terms of overall approach to the set up. I actually went to our church after watching this and made a few minor adjustments all around that made a big improvement in playability. Way smoother moving around the kit now - Thank you for this, truly helpful!

[rhythmless]

I started playing drums in 1995 with no formal lessons, , but learned by listening, watching and emulating other drummers. Over the last 20+ years, I've been in numerous bands and recorded a lot of music, but I developed bad playing habits along the way. Playing heavier music with bad technique has gotten pretty challenging in my 40s, so I'm trying to work on technique and breaking bad habits. Your videos have been a great help. I can especially relate to your floor tom story at 19:49. That happened once at a gig when I was in my mid 20s. There was blood. Excruciating.

[toddshook]

Thanks so much for tips on kit set up. I just started learning drums few weeks ago (at59) and all your tips will help me be comfortable. At least where to begin then adjust as needed.
I am trying not be overwhelmed with learning but these videos all great. Thank again.

[MatChew]

Thank you very much Mr. Clark, you are definitely the guy I come to for basic problems I'm having with technique drum patterns or placement, that have Arisen in my years of playing drums. Whether it's technique or the way something is positioned or my Tempo is too fast or too slow. There's a lot of bad things I've had to unlearn and even in my forties I'm still having to unlearn something and you've helped me do that and i learn how to accomplish this the correct way. And when I was younger I didn't have the internet or the patience, im Not trying to make excuses but younger Generations have it a lot easier when it comes to finding out how to do something the correct way or unlearn something that's hindering their drumming: bad patterns techniques and tempo.it's much easier for kids these days to want to learn how to do something or unlearn something by just going to YouTube. When you're younger you just want to get on there and play the crap out of your drum set and not worry about all this stuff but I'm glad I was able to play band in the school for a while and take lessons for a couple of years that really helped. But even after that I've still had to unlearn some things that I picked up along the way that were not correct. that came back to bite me later on over the years. some of it you know I've incorporated into my playing like bad that's not good! so I'm trying to break these habits and you've really helped me more than anybody on YouTube, Stephen! you got a great page and if anybody else I know that is a drummer, who needs some guidance and advice you're the man I point them towards. You got a good speaking voice and you're very thorough when it comes to explaining how to do something you don't try to overthink it and complicate things it's to the point & direct. I thank you mr. Clark! I mean this is supposed to be step-by-step so it should be slow and to the point& most importantly thorough. It just can't happen overnight you have to achieve the right way 4 technique drum pattern or placement of your drums. Anyway Mr. Clark, I hope you had a happy New Year An a Merry Christmas my drumming brother, take care!

[Chiroman]

Typical, clear and concise video Steve. Thanks for this. You incorporate and demonstrate these fundamentals which provides practical advice and encouragement to be able to play this instrument. Drumeo vids are useful, but this one video is more so. Keep on Drumming.... Sharing your knowledge is appreciated very much.

[Oderwat]

I am beginner and going in cheap with an e-drum kit. After watching multiple videos about "How to start" I found your video and it makes the most sense to me. This is because you break it down to the single components and then reason about each decision while putting it into context of technique and it's implications for playing. I guess that other instructors are just not able to go back to the "I don't know anything" level good enough partly because they use the assembled kit for demonstration. Thank you for this video. I appreciate it a lot.

[MatChew]

I've been waitingr a while for a video like this & other videos you've done that I haven't found from anybody else on YouTube. Or they just don't prepare and package it the right way, Explaining the placement process technique and patterns. So I applaud you for your thoroughness and patience.

[tonycarpenter-Makzimia]

Just wanted to say a big thank you. I knew part of my setup was bugging me, I had spent a LOT of time getting most of my kit right. Then I fitted a little more with the mics, something was amiss, now it's perfect, I just had to bite the bullet a little. Rejigged the left side of my yamaha rack to make 10 inch tom closer and 18inch crash closer. Along with having lowered my snare, raised my throne and several other tweaks in the last week... ahh the joys of ergonomics :). Cheers mate.

[brittanydavid]

Thank you for doing this video! Your videos have helped me improve as a drummer so much....they are very practical. Keep up the good work!

[trevorcurrie]

Thanks Stephen. This is gonna be a big help. I'm 1 year into to drumming, and I'm struggling with my wet up of my kit. Enjoy your channel, keep up the good work

[decnastorious]

I don’t normally comment on anything. But you have helped my set up sooo much. I needed to let you know that! Total beginner here and it’s now easier to play, with more movement and less effort. Thank you!