How to Practice Drums in an Apartment

Jan 6

The first step to practicing drums in an apartment is reducing noise. Here are some tools to help:

Electronic Drum Kits: Modern electronic drum kits, such as those from Roland, Yamaha, or Alesis, allow you to practice with headphones, eliminating most external noise. These kits often have adjustable sound settings and can simulate various drum sounds.
Practice Pads: Drum practice pads are designed to mimic the feel of a drumhead while being nearly silent. They are ideal for rudiment practice and building hand technique.
Mesh Drumheads and Low-Volume Cymbals: If you have an acoustic kit, replace standard drumheads with mesh heads and switch to low-volume cymbals, such as Zildjian L80s. These drastically reduce sound while maintaining a realistic playing feel.
Muffling Accessories: Use drum mute pads, towels, or sound-dampening materials like Moongels to reduce the noise of your acoustic kit.

Even with quieter equipment, some noise will escape. Soundproofing your practice area can minimize disturbances:

Rugs and Carpets: Cover the floor with thick rugs or carpets to absorb vibrations.
Foam Panels: Install acoustic foam panels on walls to reduce sound reflection and contain noise within the room.
Isolation Pads: Place your drum kit on isolation pads or risers designed to prevent vibrations from traveling through floors.
Sealed Doors and Windows: Use weatherstripping to seal gaps around doors and windows, preventing sound leakage.

Timing your practice sessions thoughtfully can help maintain good relationships with neighbors:

Practice During Acceptable Hours: Stick to daytime hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., when noise is less likely to be disruptive.
Communicate with Neighbors: Inform your neighbors about your practice schedule and be open to feedback. Establishing goodwill can go a long way in preventing complaints.

Modern technology offers several ways to enhance your drumming practice while minimizing noise:

Silent Metronomes: Use a metronome app with a vibration feature or wear a vibrating metronome to keep time without producing sound.
Drumming Apps and Software: Explore drumming apps like Drumeo, Melodics, or GarageBand to practice along with backing tracks, tutorials, or exercises.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: Pair electronic drums with high-quality noise-canceling headphones for immersive practice sessions.

Adopting quieter playing techniques is another effective way to practice without disturbing others:

Low-Volume Strokes: Practice ghost notes, finger control, and other subtle techniques that focus on dynamics.
Brushes and Rods: Use brushes or bundled rods instead of standard drumsticks for quieter playing on acoustic kits.
Foot Technique: Work on foot speed and control using a practice pad for your bass drum pedal, which is quieter than a full kick drum.

When noise restrictions prevent you from playing, mental practice can help you maintain progress:

Stick Control Practice: Use sticks on a soft surface like a pillow to build strength and precision without making noise.
Visualization: Mentally rehearse drum patterns, fills, and songs, visualizing hand and foot movements.
Sheet Music Reading: Improve your reading skills by practicing drum notation and transcriptions away from the kit.

If practicing in your apartment proves too challenging, consider these alternatives:

Practice Studios: Rent a practice studio in your area where you can play at full volume.
Local Parks: Take a practice pad and sticks to a park for an outdoor session.
Drumming Workshops: Join drumming classes or community groups where you can practice with others.

Every apartment building has unique noise rules. Ensure you:

Know the Rules: Familiarize yourself with your lease agreement or building guidelines about noise.
Test Sound Levels: Periodically step outside your apartment to check how much sound escapes.

Steven Benedetto

Dennis Chambers: The Drummer's Drummer