About Drum Sets

The drum kit is a relatively new development on the timeline of human civilization. Yet even in its brief existence, the drum kit has undergone multiple evolutions, and today can be found in a variety of forms creating a variety of sounds.

Features

At its most basic, a drum kit is typically composed of at least three parts. First, there's the bass drum, usually beaten by the drummer's foot. Second is the snare drum, beaten by drumsticks or some other handheld accessory. Third are the hi-hats, also beaten by drumsticks. Some minimalist rock bands prefer this very simple version of the drum kit. However, most drum kits also include a large ride cymbal and one or more loud crash cymbals, as well as between one and five toms (simple drums) of various sizes and shapes.

History

All through the 19th century, drums were almost always played separately---one drum to one individual. The components of the kit might all be present in a large band, but were played by several different individuals. At the beginning of the 20th century, the drum kit began to come together, beginning with a snare and bass drum combination. What followed was inevitable: One by one, the other pieces of the kit were added, until today, a drummer in an orchestra or a band might have 20 drums to play in a single kit, complete with a dozen cymbals and several accessories, such as a cowbell or a wood block.

Function

Drum kits are, first and foremost, instruments meant to provide a steady and consistent beat for the other instrumentalists in a band or orchestra. However, more and more, drum kits are being used as instruments in and of themselves---providing climactic solos, for example---and are today generally used to heighten the emotion, or "action," in a musical piece.

Types

The type of drum kit one might decide to use depends on the type of music one wishes to create. A rock drummer, for example, might prefer a large, powerful bass drum---or two bass drums (the double-bass kit)---as well as several large, loud crash cymbals and a loud snare. A jazz kit might be smaller, with a more subtle-sounding, smooth ride cymbal and a lighter snare. A reggae drummer might employ several light toms or high-pitched "rototoms."

Warning

If a drum kit is to last for more than a year or two and retain its original sound, it must be maintained. At the least, this entails changing the drumheads regularly (every six months is typically advised), especially the snare drumhead; keeping your cymbals clean and grime-free; and keeping your set out of the sun or any direct heat.