{{Short description|Percussion tool used for practice}} [[File:Practicepad.jpg|thumb|Remo WeatherKing RT series practice pad]] thumb|A Movement Drum Co. 4-in-1 Pad being used with a metronome [[File:Evans Practice Pad.jpg|alt=Evans RealFeel practice pad.|thumb|Evans RealFeel practice pad.]]
A '''practice pad''' or '''drum pad''', is a piece of equipment used by drummers and other percussionists to practice quietly, or to warm up before a performance.<ref name="thevault">{{cite web |title=What Are Drum Practice Pads? |url=http://thevault.musicarts.com/what-are-drum-practice-pads/ |website=The Vault at Music & Arts |access-date=21 February 2021 |date=15 August 2017}}</ref>
==Construction== A variety of practice pads have been developed to assist percussionists in different ways. Practice pads may be designed to approximate the tension and response of a true drumhead 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 muted playing surfaces), and fixing points allowing the pad to be connected to existing percussion hardware such as a cymbal or snare drum stand.<ref name="dha">{{cite web |title=Drum Pads: Everything You Need To Know |url=https://drumheadauthority.com/articles/drum-pads/ |website=Drumhead Authority |access-date=21 February 2021}}</ref>
===Mylar=== Some practice pads use a disk of mylar, or another material used in the construction of true drumheads, stretched over a substrate such as foam or rubber. These elements are fixed together by a rim of metal or plastic.<ref name="dha" />
===Elastomer=== Many other devices use a thin layer of elastomer, such as natural or synthetic rubber 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 drumstick or mallet after being struck in a way similar to that of a true drumhead.<ref name="newdrummer">{{cite web |last1=Ritz |first1=Duran |title=What are the Best Practice Pads for Drummers? |url=https://www.thenewdrummer.com/best-practice-pad-drummers/ |website=The New Drummer |access-date=21 February 2021 |date=6 November 2017}}</ref>
===Mesh=== 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 tuned to mimic different types of drum head by tightening and loosening it in the frame.<ref name="drumsilent">{{cite web |title=Rubber Drum Pads vs. Mesh Drum Pads |url=https://www.drumsilent.com/rubber-drum-pads-vs-mesh-drum-pads/ |website=Silent Drumming |access-date=21 February 2021 |date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
==Use== 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 snare-side response along with severely muting the sound of the drum. Several units are often arranged like a standard drum kit for practice purposes.
==See also== *Electronic drum *Practice (learning method) *Rehearsal
==References== {{Commons category|Practice pads}} {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Practice Pad}} Category:Drumming