Drums
are a part of the percussion family of musical instruments. A musician
can play a single drum in an orchestral or band setting or play a
collection of drums called the drum kit. A drum kit is also known
as a drum set. Drum kits were first created when marching band members
tried to add is many percussion instruments to the drum they carried
in order to strike as many percussion instruments as possible in rapid
succession.
Drums are struck by a variety of handheld implements including sticks,
mallets, and brushes. In addition, when playing a drum kit, the percussionist
strikes a hi hat symbol and the bass drum by using a foot pedal. Jazz
musicians also strike the drums with their hands sometimes to get
different timbres. This technique hearkens back to the African roots
of drum playing in which players use their hands to strike drums for
primal and ritual cultural music.
In the 1970s and 80s drums and drum kits became extremely popular
because they were part of the tremendous visual spectacle of the rock
'n roll stage. Stereotypical rock drummers had long hair and pounded
the skins of their drums during extended solos. This was famously
parodied in the rock 'n roll comedy film Spinal Tap. In this film
the drummer of the band would spontaneously combust and the band constantly
had to replace the drummer because of the dangers associated with
the job. A kit made of drum pads was born in answer to parents concerns:
aspiring rock 'n roll musicians could strike the pads without having
to experience the full sound of the drum. If they persevered and showed
rhythmic promise, they would eventually be rewarded with a drum kit.
Buying a drum kit, however, is not a simple task. Consumers must
ask what size drum set to buy. Generally a beginner should stay with
a standard five set piece of drums. It will accommodate most beginner
gigs. Avoiding secondhand drums is wise unless you know someone who
can guide you through the buying process. Used drums should be thoroughly
checked to see if they have bottom heads, if all the lugs are on the
drums, and if any of the bolts are stripped. Consumers looking for
high-end drums, should look for thin shells which generally produce
a better timbre. Woods such as birch, maple and mahogany are able
to accommodate the thinning process. Electronic drum sets are also
available to consumers online or in retail stores.
In addition to learning percussion notation, how to keep a steady
rhythm, and how to accompany soloists, drummers must learn how to
tune their drums. Tuning tom-toms requires that the relationships
between individual drums and the drum set provide a musical sound
combination and that the resident heads deliver a clear tone. The
snare drum has an extra sensitive head and must be tuned very tightly.
Musicians must learn when to treat and muffle the drum to control
unwanted overtones for a performance. The bass drums often provide
the backbeat of music so drummers must learn how to use some kind
of treatment inside the drum to control overtones. In some cases the
drummer fills up the kick drum with materials such as a cloth or towel
to absorb the sound.