Gift Guide: Thoughtful Presents for Drummers & Percussionists

Introduction

As a percussionist for over 40 years, I've both received and given many drum and percussion related gifts. As a teacher, I've shared in the joy of students receiving a wide variety of gifts. Whether your drummer is a gigging pro, a bedroom practice monster, or a hand-percussion fanatic, this guide has ideas across budgets — from pocket-sized tools to big-ticket upgrades.

Instead of linking to many specific items, I offer ideas that you can search for. You'll find these items at Dallas Percussion, Steve Weiss Music, Sweetwater, and many more local and online retailers.

Why These Drummer Gifts Are Great

• Function + practicality: Drummers often need hardware, tuning tools, and spare parts — things they use daily but might not splurge on.

• Practice-friendly: Quiet practice pads, tuners, or metronomes help them stay sharp without bothering others.

• Maintenance matters: Drums are instruments — they need care. Cleaning kits, dampeners, and tuning devices make a difference.

• Personal & fun: Novelty items, decor, or personalized gear show thoughtfulness and personality.

• Comfort & stability: Good gear can make playing more enjoyable — a comfy throne, stick bag, or even headphones for practice.

  
  

Gift Ideas by Price Range

Here are a variety of gifts, organized by price, with some key picks + reasoning.

Gift Ideas Under $50

• Zildjian Drummer’s Survival Kit <$25.00

  A compact all-in-one kit with spare tension rods, wing nuts, felts, a drum key, and more. Perfect for gigging drummers who want to be ready for anything. Having a backup for each of these easy to misplace items is essential.

• Evans EQ Pad Bass Drum Muffler @$20.00

  Bass drum too boomy? This damping pad attaches inside the bass drum and helps control its resonance — great for practice, recording, or tightening up the sound.

• Drum Key Keychain <$15.00

  A drum key attached to a keychain — super handy and always with them.

• Practice Pad @$40.00

  A high-quality practice pad with realistic rebound, ideal for rudiment work, warm-ups, or quiet practice. Lots of options out there. Get one from a reputable brand.

• Drumsticks or Mallets @$15.00-$50.00

  Sticks and mallets are considered consumables and need to be replaced regularly. I recommend Vic Firth sticks and mallets because they are high quality, durable, and available in a wide range of sizes.

  • Drum set players might like a size 5A or 5B. Take a peek at the well worn sticks, laying in a pile of sawdust around the practice set, and purchase a few pairs of that size. ;)

  • My top stick pick for an orchestral percussionists is the SCS1

  • Keyboard percussionists use a wide variety of mallets. Each instrument requires a specific design and a variety of mallet hardness. Much repertoire requires four mallets. You can see why mallets make a great gift!

• Drumstick or Mallet Bag @$25 & Up

  A wide range of sizes and styles exists for stick and mallet bags. Whether you're gifting a basic model to keep the sticks off the ground in the practice room, or an oversized option for high school and college students, all the way to custom, personalized leather bag. There's no shortage of options!

• Multi-tools or drum key multitools $10-$30

  These include not just a drum key but also screwdrivers, hex wrenches, bottle openers, etc. I use mine almost daily.

• Big Fat Snare Topper @$25

  Quickly change your snare drum tone. Dampen, fatten, add jingles... There are lots of options available, and each one inspires hours of playing time.

Gift Ideas: $50-$100

• Drum Dial @$65.00

  This device measures tension by reading the pressure on the drumhead, giving very accurate and repeatable tuning.

• Percussion Add-On @$50

  Cowbells, tambourines, shakers, hi-hat jingles, etc. make great gifts because they encourage exploration and improvisation by changing the sonic palette. Make sure you get a mount, if one is required.

Gift Ideas: $100-$250

• Drum Set Bags $150-$250

  Whether transporting to band practice, or to and from gigs, the drum set should be protected from bumps and scratches. You'll need to know the drum sizes. Typically drum diameters are enough. Just measure across the drum. A set of padded soft bags makes a terrific gift.

• Drum Throne (Seat) @$225.00

  Most new drummers purchase a basic model with their first drum set. An uncomfortable drum throne leads to shorter practice sessions. There are many nice models in a range of brands. My most comfortable throne ever was a Pork Pie and it featured black sparkles and zebra print. These are still available, but if a more subdued seat is in order, check out Roc-N-Soc.

• Cymbal @$100+

  Professional cymbals last a lifetime. My favorite ride cymbal is one I bought from my first teacher. It's from the 1960s. I prefer Zildjian cymbals, but there are many quality brands out there. Opt for B20 bronze for a professional sound and durability. Fun fact: Zildjian was founded in the year 1623.

• Experiential Gifts $?

  • Lessons or subscriptions: Consider a gift card for drum lessons (online or local) — oh, hey! I can help you with that. Email rob@robtovar.com ;) (many drummers value the gift of learning).

  • Concert tickets: Take them to see their favorite band, a drumming legend or a percussion-heavy show — experiences can mean a lot.

Gift Ideas $250+

• Drum Set $500+

  This was the number one student gift request from students who didn't already have a drum set. See my Drum Set Buying Guide for more details.

• Cymbal Set @$1400

  Professional cymbals last a lifetime. You can purchase a full set of sonically matched cymbals from Zildjian for this price. A Custom 14" Hihats, two crashes and a ride cymbal.

• Double Bass Drum Pedal @$350-$800

  There are a wide variety of models available. I feel comfortable recommending the DW7000, DW5000, and DW9000 models. If your drummer likes the pedal model they're using, take a look and purchase the double pedal version for them, or consider an upgrade.

Tips for Choosing the Right Gift

• Know their setup: Try to find out what kind of drums they play (acoustic vs electronic), what size their sticks are, or what accessories they already own.

• Ask subtly: If you’re unsure, ask things like: “What’s one accessory you always wish you had more of?”

• Prioritize utility: Drummers often appreciate practical tools more than flashy but impractical items.

• Mix practical + fun: Combine something useful (like a maintenance tool) with something personal (like a keychain or tee).

• Be mindful of shipping: Drum gear can be bulky or heavy. Make sure the retailer ships to you or the recipient’s address in a timely and cost-efficient way.

  
  

Conclusion

Gifting a drummer shouldn’t be daunting — with the right mix of thoughtfulness and practicality, you can give something they’ll truly use and appreciate. Whether it’s a survival kit for gigs, a tuner for perfect pitch, or a personalized bag, these presents show you respect their craft. Mix and match from functional to fun, and you’re guaranteed to hit a high note.