Gear Recommendations

The following gear recommendations are based on my own purchases and experience. You will find drum sets, cymbals, hardware, congas, bongos, shakers, cowbells, timbales, sticks, cases, and more.

congas played by kevin zahner on the left and bongo being played with performer out of the shot on the right for article on differences between congas and bongo

Congas and Bongos Models and Brands

Choose the right drums for you.

two conga drums played by kevin zahner in the rhythm notes studio

Replacement Heads for Congas and Bongo

Get the right head for your drum.

aluminum steel and maple drums each with different snare drum sound

Snare Drums

What’s the best snare drum?

baby looks at her reflection in the drum head

Beginner Drum Sets

Choose the best for the right reasons.

Shake in hand held horizontally to play samba rhythm

Shakers

What’s the best shaker for your situation?

cowbell held in hand and struck with stick for cowbell song article

Cowbells and Blocks

Bells and blocks come in many sounds and sizes.

different types of cymbals like crash ride and splash

Cymbals

Hi-hats, Rides, Crashes, Splashes and Effects

Hardware

Bells and blocks come in many sounds and sizes.

Timbales

Timbales, Cowbells, Cymbal, Heads

Photo of hard case, stick bag, cy,mbal backpack and a soft case

Cases and Bags

For sticks, cymbals, drums, and more!

Drumheads

Timbales, Cowbells, Cymbal, Heads

an assortment of drum sticks brushes soft mallets and rods each a making different snare drum sound

Sticks and Mallets

For sticks, cymbals, drums, and more!

The writer of Rhythm Notes playing congas in the studio with Protools in the background.

Recording Drums

Timbales, Cowbells, Cymbal, Heads

Tama Rhythm Watch metronome

Practice Gear

For sticks, cymbals, drums, and more!