Tom Drums

Tom Drums – fullness, flow, and variation in your drum kit

Tom Drums – also known internationally as tom tom or tom drums – are a central part of the drum kit and are used for fills, transitions, and variation in your playing. They add depth and movement to grooves and allow for the creation of dynamic drum parts that tie the entire drum kit together.

Whether you play rock, pop, jazz, or metal, tom drums are essential for your expression. They offer the possibility for both powerful fills and more subtle nuances, depending on how they are tuned and played.

What are tom drums?

Tom drums are drums without snares (unlike the snare drum), which gives a clean and round tone. They typically come in various sizes and are placed as part of the drum kit – either mounted on the bass drum, on stands, or on floor legs (floor toms).

Internationally, they are called “tom tom drums” or simply “toms”.

Types of tom drums

There are several types of tom drums, each with its role in the drum kit:

Rack toms
Typically mounted above the bass drum. They are often used for quick fills and transition figures.

Floor toms
Stand on legs and have a deeper sound. They are used for powerful and full endings in fills.

Extra toms
Used in larger setups to expand the tonal range and create more complex fills.

The combination of different sizes provides a wide sound spectrum.

Sizes and sound

Tom drums come in many sizes, and each size affects the sound:

• Small toms (8”–10”): Bright tone and quick response
• Medium toms (12”–13”): Balanced sound
• Large toms (14”–18”): Deep and powerful low end

By combining multiple sizes, you can create a more varied and dynamic drum kit.

Materials and tone

The shell material greatly influences how tom drums sound:

• Maple: Warm and full tone
• Birch: Clear and distinct attack
• Poplar / mixed woods: Balanced and versatile sound

The choice depends on the tone you desire and the music you play.

Tom drums in different genres

Tom drums are used differently depending on the genre:

• Rock: Powerful and deep fills
• Metal: Fast and precise transition figures
• Jazz: Open and resonant tones
• Pop: Controlled and melodic fills

Tuning and setup play a significant role in how tom drums function in the mix.

Tuning and setup

Tom drums can be tuned high or low depending on the desired sound. High tuning provides more attack and less sustain, while low tuning gives a deeper tone and longer resonance.

The placement of the toms is also important. They should be positioned so you can play naturally without straining your arms and shoulders.

Tom drums for beginners

Beginners often start with a simple setup with 1–2 rack toms and a floor tom. This provides a good foundation for learning fills and basic technique.

A standard setup is often the most versatile solution.

Tom drums for advanced and professional players

Advanced drummers often expand their setup with more toms to achieve greater variation in sound and playing. This allows for more advanced fills and a broader expression.

Professional drummers often adjust both the number, size, and tuning to the specific music.

Tom drums for live and studio

For live use, it is important that the toms have enough volume and clarity to be heard clearly. In the studio, control and balance are more important so they fit into the recording.

The choice therefore depends on where and how the drums will be used.

Tom drums as part of your overall drum kit

Tom drums play an important role in creating flow and variation in your drumming. They tie grooves together and allow for the expression of dynamics and movement in the music.

With the right toms, you can create both simple and complex fills that elevate your playing and give your drum kit more character.