Toms Up - How Flat?

[jmato]

I set up my rack toms (or "up" toms) angled toward me some (less than some others do, but definitely not flat). I see lots of folks set theirs up totally flat, i.e,. with the batter head roughly parallel to the floor (like a floor tom).

I have tried that a few times and cannot seem to get the tom placement correct or in a formation that seems usable without putting my seat up really high. Is that the trick? Or to set up flat do you have to be taller, or have longer arms, or use snare stands to get the toms lower, or just play shallower toms?

I fear my question sounds mocking. It is not intended to be. I would like to know b/c I would like to try the flat setup myself to see how it feels.

Thank you in advance.

 

[JDA]

Do you have your snare drum angled toward you too?

 

[cworrick]

I have tried that a few times and cannot seem to get the tom placement correct or in a formation that seems usable without putting my seat up really high. Or to set up flat do you have to be taller, or have longer arms, or use snare stands to get the toms lower, or just play shallower toms?

Shallower toms

Or

Smaller Bass drum.

 

[bleen]

I like my toms as flat as possible, but I also don't use any deeper than 8", so it's not too difficult getting them where I like them. I'm 6'2" and don't sit particularly high compared to many, so it may just be a factor my longer torso/arms that makes it fairly easy to position them where I like them.

 

[Fat Drummer]

I don't see it as mocking at all, it's a fair question. So I also don't mean my reply to sound sarcastic, but it looks like you already tried it and did not like it!

I also can not find comfort in the new contemporary style of tom placement. Based on my build and preference, I don't angle all that much, but I do run my toms very high!

 

[kluger]

I like mine as flat as I can, which means not totally level but close. That is why all my rack toms are 8" depth.

 

[pwc1141]

Personally, I see little value in look, ease of playing or sound to have rack toms flat. If some folks like that, fine, but my single rack tom is angled and that seems very natural in terms of ability to hit it etc.

 

[stevil]

Mike Bordin plays deep Tom's perfectly flat over a big bass drum. I have no idea how he does it, but he does it well.

 

[MntnMan62]

How you set up your toms, and drum set, has everything to do with your own personal preference. Some people like them flat like Keith Moon while others like them at very severe angles. One person comes to mind who used to do this but doesn't anymore......Vinnie Colaiuta. He practically sat on the floor.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

I’m 6’3” and sit high (supposed to be easier on your lower back), and I sight across all cymbals and toms and aim directly at my belt buckle, with the furthest thing on either side within reach of the opposite arm without any ridiculous gymnastics or unbent elbow.

I play 1-up-2-down 97% of the time, but I’d like to try some silly 6-up-4-down kind of setups over the next year, just to see. Might have to compromise positioning some, but I’d hope not.

 

[JDA]

You want your stick coming down on the toms- Not at the point -tip- of the stick. So you lower the angle of the (rack) tom(s) so that the stick hits "flatter".
Like how your stick hits the snare and floor tom- mostly flat.
The mounted toms are further away so they need angled in. But 10-15-20-30 degrees or so -not 50 or 70 degrees- or else your stick tip- will make the most contact- and your mount toms -will sound "thin", (let alone) run the risk of ripping the heads

Mongo may disagree.

 

[Seb77]

My question would be "why?". Is there any benefit in terms of playing/technique, or is it purely for looks?

I don't really mind people setting up toms in a weird way, but I am concerned about some developments regarding cymbal angles. Just recently I saw an open jam with a drummer setting up the house kit and cymbals so he hit the crash cymbal at a severe angle. Way to damage someone else's property.

 

[jmato]

Why? I see it done often, so I question whether there in fact is a benefit in terms of playing. Thankfully, I am past the point of doing it for aesthetics or to fit in.

Appreciate all the responses. Very informative.

 

[jmato]

Do you have your snare drum angled toward you too?

Slightly, yes, but not very much.

 

[vintagedrummersweden]

When I want to start an argument about this matter I usually say:
Flat toms - extrovert music/musician. (Keith Moon, Clem Burke etc)
Angled tom (inwards) - introvert music/musician. (any fusion drummer...)

But that's only when I'm trying to start an argument...

 

[Lazmo]

Yeah Na.

Back in the day for sure, even though John Henry was my actual hero, I wanted my kit to look like Bakers.

Everything was flat as. Duh.

So, compare this with now... other than the hats, everything - snare, rack, floor, ride, crashes - are tilted slightly.

 

[hector48]

Flat toms do look "cool" to me.
But it's not practical at all for me, since I'm rather short.
So, I angle them just a little bit.
I don't get the flat cymbal setup.
I would think it's hard on the cymbals, constantly hitting the outer edge at close to 90 degrees.
It will chew up sticks rather quickly too.

 

[Iristone]

I tilt the floor tom towards me a bit too. Relax.
(OTOH I like my snare drum absolutely dead flat... so... )

 

[Polska]

I'm always striving for the most ergonomic setup possible. Rack tom and snare with a slight tilt. Cymbals low and also with a slight tilt. The less reach in my mind, the better. Less wasted effort.

 

[fun2drum]

Moderately angled. Tried flat when I saw some drummers doing it, but quickly (and I mean very quickly) decided that's not for me. My sticks are low and relatively close to me when I play, and a moderate angle brings the tip straight into the head when I hit. That's the sweet spot for me.