We’ve all seen it. The guitarist turning up with their guitar, the bassist with their bass, and the drummer with their rug. Wait, what? Yes, many drummers have a trusted rug that they place under their drum kit, whether it’s for gigs or just practice. But, you may ask why this rug is needed and if it’s necessary?
Well, while it isn’t compulsory or a requirement to put a rug under your drum set, there are some key benefits to using one. It’s not just because drummers like the look of a rug under their kit (although this is the case with many).
A rug can play some important roles for a drummer such as preventing the kit from moving as they play.
In this article, I’m going to discuss whether you should put a rug under your drum set and the reasons why so many drummers tend to do this.
Why do drummers use rugs under their drum set?
There are a few reasons why rugs or carpets are used under drum kits. Drum rugs have become an essential component of a professional drummer’s arsenal over the years.
Go to a gig and most of the time, you will see the drummer sit on top of a classically patterned rug of which most look like they’ve been taken right out of grandma’s home (maybe they have been!) Sorry, Grandma!
Shockwaves that Move the Drum Set
One reason why these rugs are useful is to do with simple physics. A rug or carpet can dampen the reverberating drum sounds as the drummer plays. Every time the drums or cymbals are struck, there is a shock from the stick, mallet, or brush. This produces the sound that we hear.
While this shock produces a sound, it also sends a shockwave through the drums and drum stand. Unless the drum stand is levitating in the air, Tommy Lee style, then the shock will translate through the drum stand and continue into the floor beneath the kit.
The shockwaves can easily move parts of the drum kit away from the drummer making it harder to play. For instance, if a bass drum is mounted sideways, the direction of the stick’s force on the skin of the drum goes in a horizontal direction.
While a drummer is beating away at their drums and pounding their bass pedal, the bass drum will begin to move further and further away with each strike of the sticks. We have seen this time and time again and it is a sure-fire way of riling up a drummer.
Thankfully, the solution is easy. Just throw a rug under the drum set and the problem is solved! The rug’s surface texture helps grip the drum stands so they can’t slide or move across the stage, no matter how much force is applied to the kit.
As well as this, a rug can help protect the floor beneath the drum set from getting scratched or worn as the kit moves.
Acoustics
Another benefit of using a rug under your drum set is how it can inhibit echo. If you have ever played drums in a large hall or empty space such as a gymnasium, then you will know the extreme echo effects that come with the room and the drums.
If there is nothing to stop a sound bouncing off a hard surface, an echo occurs. Now, imagine these echos bouncing off a hard floor underneath a drum set as it’s played.
Placing a rug on a smooth, hard surface can help absorb these echoes. The rug acts as a dampener and soaks up some excess sounds.
Furthermore, rugs prevent the drums from vibrating when the skins are struck as well as from the sound of a neighboring drum.
You will notice this dampening effect most in regards to the vibrations caused by a snare drum that rattles when struck. Next time you are playing your drums, try to hit the snare with and without a rug under the kit. You should notice a significant difference.
Soundproofing
Similar to drowning out acoustics, a rug can help soundproof your drum kit if you need to play your drums quietly in a small space such as an apartment.
Any form of padding is beneficial when trying to keep the sounds down in your apartment. You can use acoustic absorption panels to effectively dampen your drum sound for those below and the apartments around you.
If you want to be extra sure that your drums are not too loud for the neighbors, using one or two rugs could be a great option. This is especially useful if you’re not living on the first floor of your apartment building.
Do I need a rug under my drum set?
As I mentioned before, it's not an essential item to have but if you intend to play live shows regularly or practice in a space with a smooth, hard floor, then a rug can be extremely beneficial.
Without one, your bass drum may continually move further away from you as you play. This will be frustrating as you have to stop and pull the bass drum back every minute or so.
If you want to get the most out of your drum sound, a rug is worth the investment. It will dampen the shock waves from your kit and absorb echoes so your drums sound more precise and stronger instead of airy and distant.
While a good old-fashioned rug should do the job, I recommend taking a look at the Aucuda Drum Rug. This is designed with tightly woven fabric with a non-slip grip bottom to keep your drum set securely in one place at all times.
Remember, rugs like this will absorb sounds and protect the flooring below from scratches and marks. I highly recommend getting a drum rug before your next gig!