Family: Percussion instruments
Photo: Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
A drum kit is a set of instruments played by one musician: a bass drum (kick), snare, toms, hi-hat and cymbals – ride and crash. The drummer plays with hands and feet at the same time, which is why it is often called the most multitasking instrument in the band.
A short history
At the beginning of the 20th century each drum in a dance orchestra was played by a different musician. The bass drum pedal, popularised by the Ludwig company around 1909, allowed one person to play several drums at once. In the 1920s the hi-hat arrived – a pair of cymbals clashed together with the foot. The set was called a „trap kit”, from the word „contraption”.
Fun facts
- In „Sing, Sing, Sing” (1937) with Benny Goodman’s orchestra, Gene Krupa was one of the first to turn the drums into a solo instrument.
- In jazz the time is kept on the ride cymbal, in rock on the snare and kick drum – hence the very different weight of the two styles.
In rock and jazz
Rock: Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, John Bonham (listen to „Moby Dick”), Neil Peart, Dave Grohl. Jazz: Max Roach, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams.
Do you play this instrument? Share your experience in the comments below – tell others what is worth knowing.