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Practice pad
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<h2 id="construction">Construction</h2> <p>A variety of practice pads have been developed to assist percussionists in different ways. Practice pads may be designed to approximate the <a href="/facts/Tension_(physics)/waNGYp3a">tension</a> and response of a true <a href="/facts/Drumhead/jfoEbSsM">drumhead</a> when struck, or to provide less rebound to train the percussionist’s muscles. They can be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are typically small and light enough to be easily portable. Many variations include harder or softer playing surfaces, non-skid bases (that can also double as <a href="/facts/Mute_(music)/M9E3naYr">muted</a> playing surfaces), and fixing points allowing the pad to be connected to existing percussion hardware such as a cymbal or snare drum stand.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> </p> <h3>Mylar</h3> <p>Some practice pads use a disk of <a href="/facts/BoPET/Eg8XF4F0">mylar</a>, or another material used in the construction of true drumheads, stretched over a substrate such as <a href="/facts/Foam/kGrXWWcb">foam</a> or rubber. These elements are fixed together by a rim of metal or plastic.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p> <h3>Elastomer</h3> <p>Many other devices use a thin layer of <a href="/facts/Elastomer/kCSD0udN">elastomer</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Natural_rubber/CbsjJxhY">natural</a> or <a href="/facts/Synthetic_rubber/58Fq4XYx">synthetic rubber</a> of various densities, as a playing surface. This type of rubber surface is either placed directly over the top of an existing drumhead, or stuck to the top of a solid substrate. The rubber is designed to reflect a <a href="/facts/Drum_stick/GF7RjQ9k">drumstick</a> or <a href="/facts/Percussion_mallet/h8JVJ6QH">mallet</a> after being struck in a way similar to that of a true drumhead.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p> <h3>Mesh</h3> <p>Some practice pads use a disk of mesh stretched over a frame. The mesh is quieter when struck than rubber or mylar, and can be <a href="/facts/Musical_tuning/v5Q1kYxC">tuned</a> to mimic different types of drum head by tightening and loosening it in the frame.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="use">Use</h2> <p>These devices can be placed on a wide variety of surfaces including the player’s lap, a tabletop or the head of an actual drum. Placing the pad on the head of an actual drum can have the effect of transferring to the drum’s natural <a href="/facts/Snare_drum/IN9Arnh3">snare-side</a> response along with severely muting the sound of the drum. Several units are often arranged like a standard drum kit for practice purposes. </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Electronic_drum/LWRuY2E5">Electronic drum</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Practice_(learning_method)/Toe8dJpB">Practice (learning method)</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Rehearsal/77wqnfgS">Rehearsal</a></li></ul> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Practice pads. <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"What Are Drum Practice Pads?". The Vault at Music & Arts. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2021. <a href="http://thevault.musicarts.com/what-are-drum-practice-pads/" target="_blank">http://thevault.musicarts.com/what-are-drum-practice-pads/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Drum Pads: Everything You Need To Know". Drumhead Authority. Retrieved 21 February 2021. <a href="https://drumheadauthority.com/articles/drum-pads/" target="_blank">https://drumheadauthority.com/articles/drum-pads/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Drum Pads: Everything You Need To Know". Drumhead Authority. Retrieved 21 February 2021. <a href="https://drumheadauthority.com/articles/drum-pads/" target="_blank">https://drumheadauthority.com/articles/drum-pads/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Ritz, Duran (6 November 2017). "What are the Best Practice Pads for Drummers?". The New Drummer. Retrieved 21 February 2021. <a href="https://www.thenewdrummer.com/best-practice-pad-drummers/" target="_blank">https://www.thenewdrummer.com/best-practice-pad-drummers/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Rubber Drum Pads vs. Mesh Drum Pads". Silent Drumming. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2021. <a href="https://www.drumsilent.com/rubber-drum-pads-vs-mesh-drum-pads/" target="_blank">https://www.drumsilent.com/rubber-drum-pads-vs-mesh-drum-pads/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>