Playing Drums
Playing drums is a dynamic and culturally significant musical activity that has evolved over thousands of years. Drums, as one of the oldest instruments, have deep historical roots, with evidence of rudimentary drums dating back over 4,000 years in Mesopotamia and the Japanese Taiko drum being over 2,000 years old. These percussion instruments have played vital roles in various cultural contexts, including religious ceremonies, communication, and communal expression through drum circles.
Modern drumming has been influenced by historical developments, such as the transition from animal skin drum heads to plastic materials and the advent of electronic drum kits in the late 1960s. Drummers today are expected to have strong technical skills and a sense of musicality that allows them to adapt to different styles and collaborate effectively with other musicians.
The drumming landscape is also changing, with increasing participation from diverse groups, particularly women. Resources for aspiring drummers have expanded, including online lessons and dedicated publications. Whether pursuing drumming as a hobby or a professional path, individuals can find numerous opportunities to engage with this vibrant art form.
Playing Drums
History
Music and song have been a vital part of human culture across the world and throughout history. Percussion instruments—probably because of their extremely simple construction—have a particularly long history. Rudimentary Mesopotamian drums as ancient as 4,000 years old have been found in archeological digs, for example, and the Japanese Taiko drum is at least 2,000 years old. Historians know that drums were especially important in early African civilizations, where they played a part in many religious ceremonies and rituals and were also used as tools for communication. Drum circles (groups of drummers playing hand drums together) have always been a common form of healing and communal expression, and remain popular today.
Most modern drums have their roots in Asia Minor and the Middle East, their historical counterparts having been brought to the West by soldiers during the Crusades. The contemporary snare drum comes from a European military instrument known as a "tabor."
Traditionally, the vibrating membrane of a drum head was made out of stretched, dried animal skins, which often became looser (and less resonant) depending on the humidity of the atmosphere. Drum kits—groupings of acoustic drums and other percussion instruments—were developed in the 1930s. In 1949, Clair Omar Musser developed the first programmable drum machine at Northwestern University. Since the 1950s drum skins have been made with plastic, usually polyester. In 1967, Felix Visser, a drummer for the Dutch pop band the VIPs, modified a preprogrammable electronic Acetone rhythm box so that it could be played live, by hand, via touchpads. Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge worked with Sussex University professor Brian Groves to create the first electronic drum kit in 1967. Edge first used the electronic kit in a recording for the song "Procession" from the band's 1971 album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour.
Tips & Techniques
A good drummer displays excellent technique and is able to keep a dependable beat across a variety of musical styles and time signatures. In addition, a drummer should always be aware of the character of the song he or she is playing and the roles of the other musicians in the band, knowing when to take center stage with drum fills or solos and when to step back and provide rhythmic support for other instruments without making the drum beat sound overly busy or active. Of course, flair and personal style are also a big part of what makes a drummer stand out.
Trends
Traditional West African and Afro-Cuban rhythms are becoming more and more likely to be incorporated into the drumming repertoires of American musicians. It is also much more common to see girls becoming interested in drumming, and the industry is taking advantage of this growing market with music magazines targeting young female drummers and summer camps for girls that teach drumming techniques. Some drumming instructors teach online by posting videos on their own websites or on YouTube.
Drumming for Fun vs. Profit
Becoming a professional musician of any kind is a challenging task. Once a drummer has developed a basic level of facility, it is important for him or her to find a band or other musicians to play with, expand his or her circle of contacts in the industry, and keep an eye out for audition opportunities. Teaching is also an excellent option for the confident, experienced drummer equipped with patience and clear communication skills.
Learning More
Organizations
Drum Circle Facilitators Guild <https://www.dcfg.net/>
Drum! Magazine <https://drummagazine.com/>
Modern Drummer <https://www.moderndrummer.com/>
Percussive Arts Society <http://www.pas.org/>
Books
Nicholls, Geoff. The Drum Book: A History of the Rock Drum Kit. Backbeat Books, 1997.
Mattingly, Rick. All About Drums: A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Drums. Hal Leonard Corp., 2006.
Miller, Michael. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Drums. Alpha Books, 2003
Payne, Jim. Drums From Day One: A Completely New Method For Beginners. Mel Bay Publications, 2002.
Riggs, Kate. Drums. Creative Education, 2014.
DVDs
Hudson Music. Getting Started on Drums. Distributed by Hal Leonard Corp., 2001.
Warner Bros. Publications. An Introduction to Musical Styles: Drums. Warner Bros., 2002.