HOW TO "PERC UP" A BORING DRUM SET

Now that I have this Tama Imperialstar kit set up, it is now time to add to it all the bells and whistles that make an average kit more interesting and fun to play.  This includes a lot of cymbals and percussion items that I like to incorporate around the drums to give me many more sounds and effects from which to choose.

This is what makes me the master of mounts, the captain of clamps, the baron of brackets, the strategist of stands, the.....

.....well, you get the idea.

First I add in as many cymbals as I can without looking overly ridiculous.  From right to left* here is what I have chosen:

14" Zildjian Quick Beat Hi-Hats
16" Sabian HH Medium Thin Crash
8" Sabian HH Splash
12" Wuhan Splash
15" Sabian HH Medium Thin Crash
16" Sabian HH Thin Crash (on top of...)
20" Zildjian Ping Ride
12" Wuhan China (on top of...)
16" Sabian HH China

Behind the kit I then set up a gong stand holding a 22" Wuhan Wind Gong with a few other hanging items.  These include a Zildjian Burma Bell, a 6" LP Triangle and a Treeworks Spring Tree.

Now for the really fun stuff.  Percussion add-ons are as follows:

A - SpectraSound Hollow Bar Chimes
B - LP Piccolo and High Pitch Jam Blocks
C - Zildjian Crotale (Low F)
D - LP 10" Pandiero
E - LP Jam Bell (Large)
F - LP Tambourine
G - Zildjian Crotale (High C)
H - LP 6" Raw Potz
I - Tama 8" Mini-Timbale
J - LP 6" Tamborim
K - LP Bongo Cowbell
L - LP 7" Ice Bell
M - Treeworks Bar Chimes
N - Treeworks Finger Cymbal Tree

Now, I know what you are thinking.  You want to know, "WHERE IS THE BELL TREE?"  Well, as I was considering where I could add this in, a dark cloud came up.  Just as I finished snapping a few pictures it began to lightly sprinkle, so I had to hurry up and move everything back indoors.  Funny thing is, it never did rain, but I accomplished what I wanted to do for this post, even if I did had to omit the Chinese Bell Tree.

That is enough fun for today.
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*Note:  Right-to-left in the photo facing the kit, as opposed to right-to-left from the drummer's POV.

Additional Note:  This photo was taken before I cleaned all my cymbals so unfortunately they are extremely dull-looking.  It was this post, in fact, that inspired me to undertake the massive venture that was the cleaning and polishing of 40-plus Zildjians, Sabians and Wuhans.  But yes, it was absolutely worth it.