RhythmArt Blog

I recently bought a Pearl add-on tom for a multi-percussion setup. Here’s some highlights from the safety sheet that came with it…

my comments in italics

(remember, behind every warning, there’s a lawsuit!)

• Hardware, drums, cymbals, and percussion devices prodruding from drum sets may cause people walking by or children playing nearby to trip and stumble into the drum set resulting in severe bodily injury and/or damage to equipment. (The drum is the cause, not your lack of attention to your surroundings!)
• Use two hands when adjusting the height and angle of drums, cymbals, practice pads, etc. Use one hand to support the object being adjusted to keep it from falling while making adjustments with your other hand. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen students clock themselves in the head adjusting a snare basket, seriously!)
• A strong vibration such as an earthquake can cause your drums and hardware to shift and tip over. Stay well clear of falling objects to avoid injury. (Flaming drums may also cause severe burns during a house fire)
• When handling tubular hardware do not put your fingers into the tubes to prevent injury to your fingers. (uhh…yeah…fingers…sure…)
• Be careful when adjusting throne settings. (I don’t really need to go into detail here, do I? And yes, I’ve seen it all!)
• The drum throne is not a step stool. (OK, guilty.)
• Sticks and wire brushes are intended for playing the drums and should not be used to hit or to be thrown at people. Doing so can be extremely dangerous. (Also, extremely entertaining!)
• Fragments and splinters from broken drumsticks can fly into the air and cause injury to the player and/or to those nearby. (Especially singers with bad attitudes.)

There’s more, but that gets the best ones out of the way!

Be careful out there, kids!