Review by: Aaron Farrier
Date: August, 2008

As a working drummer, its always important to practice away from the band on my own time and I have had tons of practice pads throughout the years; from the kind that you put over your snare, to the puddy you spread on a table, etc. It's been quite the journey to find a pad that feels like a drum and doesn't give me too much bounce back. Has my long journey come to an end?

Quite possibly...

Upon playing the Aquarian® Tru-Bounce™ Practice Pad, I noticed within the first five minutes that this was clearly not like any other pad that I've played in the past. "What makes it so different?" you ask. Well...

Probably the most noticeable feature is that this pad doesn't give you the same "bounce back" most practice pads do. Any drummer knows what I mean. Most pads throw your stick back at you with even the lightest of strokes, which as we all know, is not how a drum feels! In fact, that probably does more harm than good as it is not conditioning your hands to perform well on a real drum.

Even if you're playing light flam-taps on the edge of the pad or slammin' away your double paradiddles in the center, the feel is like you're on a real drum. If anything, it gives you less bounce-back than what you would have on a real drum. Honestly, I prefer that!

For years, my practice routine would be half on a pillow to build my speed and endurance and the other have on a practice pad to run through my rudiments. Now it seems like I can do both all in one.

Aside from how the pad plays, it's also very convenient.

As you can see, the pad is easily mountable on any adjustable snare stand. But should you not have one available, the pad also equipped with a gripped bottom that will work on any hard surface. My fear at first would be if I put the pad on a counter top, it might start to slide around as some have in the past. But not this one! I played as hard as I could and the pad didn't budge. Clearly this is light enough to carry around in your backpack for accessibility, but also heavy enough (with the grip on the bottom) to put on any hard surface to practice virtually anywhere.

To say I am completely satisfied with this product would be an understatement. And that is shocking as I am a hard sell when it comes to gear. So many times gear falls just short of perfect, but this time it is right on the money. I will never need another practice pad again as this one will be permanently fixed to my body.

Don't let me forget what else comes with the pad! You also get a teacher approved rudiment sheet which comes in handy for any student and/or educator. Hell, I'm glad I got it because I didn't realize how many rudiments I have forgotten to run through these past few years!

Also enclosed with the pad is a FREE pair of Power-Sleeve™ 5A drumsticks which have a special sleeve in the middle of the stick preventing it from wearing down easily.

If you would like more information about the Aquarian® Tru-Bounce™ Practice Pad, be sure to visit:
www.aquariandrumheads.com

 

 

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