Editing Practice pad

{{Short description|Percussion tool used for practice}}
[[File:Practicepad.jpg|thumb|[[Remo]] WeatherKing RT series practice pad]]
[[File:Practice Pad + Metronome Combo - Best Practice.jpg|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|[[D'Addario (manufacturer)|Evans]] RealFeel practice pad.]]

A '''practice pad''' or '''drum pad''', is a piece of equipment used by [[Drummer|drummers]] and other [[Percussion instrument|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 (physics)|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 [[Mute (music)|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 [[BoPET|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 rubber|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 [[Drum stick|drumstick]] or [[Percussion mallet|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 [[Musical tuning|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 drum|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]]