Muffin' the Rythm Traveller

Use a piece of cloth (fleece material is good...can get from ikea, sky blue in colour, rolled up in packs going for $3.00+) for each tom.

Make sure you cut the cloth big enough so it draps more than 4-5 inches around the drum. Take off the heads, stretch out the cloth and lay it down onto the drum, put the skin on and tighten over the cloth. Might need another pair of hands to hold out the cloth for you while you tighten the hoops down to clamp on to the cloth. All the best!
 
I was wondering Alvin, could you use those mousepads and just stick them to the cymbals and the toms so as to soften them? Or will it completely silence them?

Thanks for the recommendation!

gibs.
 
You can but that defeats the purpose of the "stuffing" up method becos we are trying to retain the feel and flex of the skins. As for cymbals, that will leave residue on them so you might want to reconsider that. I'll rather lay a piece of thick fabric over them.
 
Oh ok! So how do others muffle the cymbals?

And also, I just wedge the cloth between the head and the frame like that can already ar?

Thanks!

gibs.
 
Oh ok! So how do others muffle the cymbals?

And also, I just wedge the cloth between the head and the frame like that can already ar?

Thanks!

gibs.

Lay a piece of fabric over the cymbals.

Yes, just wedge the cloth between the head and the hoops...

No prob!
 
may i ask 'clamping' the cloth under the hoop affect the rebond of the tom skin head?

Yes it will but minimal. Its much better than using a sound-off pad over the toms/snare. Practicing dynamics will be easier too since now you can hear the attack (stick clicks) from the skins...also, take note to not tighten too much so as to retain a flex similar to when there is no muffling.
 
So Alvin, which method of muffling do you prefer; the cloth-between or the fibre-stuffing method?

Also, the cloth-between method won't damage the heads or the frame?

Hope i'm not asking too many questions :???:

And thanks again!

gibs.
 
Oh sorry, I meant comparing these two methods of muffling on a conventional drum (ie. both ends are closed) ;)

gibs.
 

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