Drum Keys……….



For starters, drum keys have to be the most underrated piece of hardware we use for our drums. They get lost, forgotten and even left behind because the thought is “I’ll just grab another one.”

Yet, these little pieces of hardware help us shape the tone we desire to produce. If we don’t have them, we can’t really do much but just play. That only gets us so far because eventually we have to change out heads or tune.

If you don’t know, drum keys are used to turn the tension rods. Those tension rods go through the hoop and is threaded into the lug connected to the shell. By turning the tension rods, you are able to manipulate the tension of the drum head stretched across the drum shells bearing edge. The end result is a audible tone that is produced by energy and sound traveling from the point of impact on the head and bearing edge and then throughout the shell.

BUT this would never be possible if you were first not able to tune the drum with a drum key. You can say then that drum keys are pretty vital to a drummers experience on a drum kit, right!?!?!?! Yeah, I think I would say so!

By realizing we need drum keys we all then find ourselves looking at them in a different light. For instance, just like drum sticks you want to have a drum key that feels comfortable in your hands.

It’s very easy to attribute a bad experience in maintaining and tuning your drums to an uncomfortable grip on a small or uniquely shaped drum key.



Now, I do understand that some people don’t need a drum key that’s perfect for them and they use what is available. Yet, I do believe it helps generate a better over all experience when tuning or changing out drum heads on your circles.

With that being said, take the time to shop around and find that drum key that will suit your needs the best. We do it with all the other gear we own so why not with drum keys! 🥁🤓✌🏻

In conclusion here are some thing you can do to help raise awareness for the importance of drum keys.

– Start shopping around for a drum key that best fits your needs. (size, length, structure)



– Remember it’s okay if you don’t like one. You can always send it back.

– It’s okay to Take Your Time. Good things come with time and research.

– Grab two, so you have a back up and you can use both for stereo tuning. 😉

– STOP LOSING YOUR DRUM KEYS (unless you like spending money lol it adds up over time) Additionally, your less likely to loose drum keys if you have invested time into finding the perfect one.

A quick Challenge for you…….

Go online to different drum shops or music stores and start looking through some drum key options. Maybe buy one or two and try them out, you can always return it if you don’t like it. There are so many options, which means there is the perfect drum key out there for everyone.

Comment on this post and let me know what you came up with! Can’t wait to hear your stories!

Additionally, check out this video I put out last year talking about my top drum key picks and bonus picks. Enjoy!

I hope this was helpful and encourages you guys to enjoy the process of finding the perfect pair of drum keys for you. Till next time, always remember to KEEP ON LEARNING! Okay. Byeee. 🥁🤓👊🏻❤️✌🏻

Here are a couple that I use…..

Remo’s QuickTech Drum Key

Snareweights Speedy Drum Key

Gibraltar’s High Torque Drum Key