Drum Thrones

How to choose the right drum stool

A drum stool is not just a drum stool. There are many factors to consider when buying a new stool - after all, you will be sitting on it for many hours.

It's not just about comfort - if you sit incorrectly, you can end up injuring your back and joints - so it’s important to find the right stool that fits your body type and playing style.

Buy a drum stool with comfort and good seating position

You need to sit comfortably when you are a drummer - otherwise, you will end up using energy to sit poorly instead of playing great grooves.

You can choose a low drum stool (e.g. Pearl D-1000SN), if you are not very tall or like to sit low - just be careful with your back. A rule of thumb is that your thighs and upper body should not form an angle of less than 90 degrees. In other words, your legs should be horizontal or pointing downwards. The same goes for the angle between your thighs and shins - it must not be less than 90 degrees.

Padding

There is also a big difference in how much padding drum stools have - a standard stool like Pearl D790 does not have as thick a seat as TAMA HT830. There is also a difference in how hard the foam in the drum stool is - and the only right way to find out what works for you is to try different options. But it may also be that a normal round seat does not suit you at all. There are several stools with tractor seats - e.g. the classic Roc'nSoc from GIbraltar or TAMA HT530BC. With a tractor seat, you sit a bit more stable because it’s not so easy to slide around - but it’s a matter of taste.

Material

It is also important to pay attention to whether the seat is covered with leather, fabric, or something else. Especially if you play for long periods, it can make a big difference whether it is a drum stool with a smooth seat or one with fabric covering.

Backrest

If you play for a very long time or like to have total support, you may need a drum stool with a backrest - both Pearl, Tama and Gibraltar have some really cool stools where everything can be adjusted to fit your back and posture perfectly. But if you move a lot while playing - in time with the music, of course - it can also quickly become an obstacle.

Adjustments

Drum stools come in many shapes, but what they have in common is that there is the possibility to make adjustments. The height can almost always be adjusted, while more advanced stools may have built-in hydraulics or adjustable backrests. There may also be memory locks that help set up the drum stool the same way each time.

Legs

Basically, you can choose between three or fire legs. It is individual what works best for you. Fire legs can provide more stability if you move a lot while playing drums - on the other hand, they can also get in the way and they obviously weigh a bit more - weight is also important if you go out to play and move your drum set a lot.

Appearance

Of course, most drum stools basically look alike, but there are still differences. Some may like a completely black look, like K&M's stools. Others prefer the classic drum stand appearance.

Price

Of course, the price is always a factor when you buy new equipment, but especially with the drum chair, it is important to focus more on getting the absolutely right chair than on the price tag. Because here, it’s not just your playing, but also your health that can be affected :)

Enjoy your drumming.