Evolution of drum set

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Drum kit /drum set/ trap set/ drums is a set of percussion instruments, categorized as membranophones. Most usually, the set contains bass drum, snare drum, hi-hats, cymbals and toms.

Did you know...

that all parts of modern drum kit were invented in different places and in different time
that till second half of 19th century, one drummer couldn't play the whole set, so each part of drums was played by different musician

So let's say few things about history and evolution of each part of modern drum kit!

Bass drum

The bass drum is the lowest pitched drum and it provides basic beat. It is played by foot on the pedal or double pedal, depends on genre of music.

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The roots of bass drum were found in Africa. The heads of the drum were made of animal skin and they were played with large sticks in each hand. It traveled trough Turkey to Europe in the time of Crusades and slowly growing in size. In 19th century, the pedal was invented, so the bass drum was framed and placed vertically on the floor.

Snare drum

The snare drum is a soul of the rhythm. It has the strongest accent of all parts of drum kit and it covers mid-range frequencies. It is played with a stick in your left hand if the player is right handed.

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The snare drum came to Europe at the same time as the bass drum. But this one didn't come from Africa, it evolved from Arabian and Persian kettle drums. First there were a pair of two little drums called "nakers", (Arabic "naqqārah"). In Europe, they invented a belt for snare drum for carrying and playing. In 15th century they started using the snare drums as war drums in battles, soldiers were marching on the sounds of beat. The drum heads was usually made of calfskin, but today plastic dum heads are in use.

Toms

Tom tom drums or toms are the most numerous drums in a drum kit. They can be played with different types of sticks or hands, depends on the music. With their various pitch, they fill the sound of rhythm or they can be played solo. The floor tom had the lowest pitch, double headed toms have varying depth and rototoms can be tuned by rotating.

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Modern toms are descendants of ancient Chinese drums. They were ranging in all sizes, they were usually painted and decorated. In early 20th century they made their way to America, where they were included in modern drum kit.

Cymbals

Hi-hat cymbals, ride cymbals, crash cymbals... can't imagine a modern drum set without them. A beginner's cymbal set usually contains two hi-hats, one ride and one crash cymbal. Hi-hats come with a pedal that makes possible to "open" it or "close" it but you can play them using a pedal only. They fill the higher range of frequencies in the sound of drums.

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Cymbals are the oldest of all parts of a modern drum kit. They were in use in Near East since Bronze Age. But they were perfected in Turkey in 17th century, where they have been produced by Zildjian from 1623, then spread through Europe during Ottoman age.

And what would drums be without drumsticks?

Through the history, there were all sizes and types of drumsticks that you can imagine. Came from Asia to Arabia, during crusades came to Europe with those "nakers".