Drum
A drum is a percussion instrument distinguished by its membrane, known as a drumhead, which is tightly stretched over a hollow body. When struck by a hand or a drumstick, the drumhead vibrates and produces sound. Drums can be played individually or as part of a drum kit, which combines various percussion instruments, including cymbals and bells. Historically, drums are among the oldest instruments, with evidence of early drums dating back to around 5500 BCE in China. They have served not only musical purposes but also played significant roles in military and religious contexts throughout history.
Drum kits, which became popular with the rise of genres like rock and jazz, allow drummers to play multiple drums and cymbals simultaneously, enhancing rhythmic complexity. Common types of drums include the snare drum, known for its sharp sound and use in various musical settings, and the bass drum, recognized for its deep, resonant tones. Additionally, tom-tom drums and tambourines contribute to the rich variety of sounds in drumming. The choice of striking tools, such as wooden sticks or mallets, further influences the sound produced, showcasing the versatility and cultural significance of drums in music across the world.
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Drum
A drum is an instrument in the percussion family. Drums are characterized by a membrane, called a drumhead, stretched tightly over a hollow body. The membrane is struck by an object (such as a hand or a drumstick), which forces the membrane to vibrate. These vibrations create the sound commonly associated with drums.
Some drums are played as individual instruments, such as those commonly found in marching bands and symphony orchestras. Other drums are bound together in a drum kit and played in combination with a variety of other percussion instruments. Some of these instruments include cymbals, bells, gongs, triangles, and wooden blocks.
Brief History
Drums are believed to be the oldest instruments, with a legacy that dates back to a time before recorded history. The oldest drum was found by researchers in China, who dated the object to about 5500 BCE. The drum featured a wooden bowl for a body and a drumhead made of alligator skin. Anthropologists believe that drums spread from China to Africa and the Middle East. While they were sometimes used as musical instruments, ancient drums also were used in religious ceremonies and military tactics. A steady drum beat provided soldiers with a marching rhythm, while other sounds signaled changes in battlefield tactics.
Drums spread to Europe after the Crusades, when returning soldiers brought Asian-style drums home with them. European artisans dissected the instruments and learned how to make their own drums in the process. Drums were quickly included in the growing roster of orchestral instruments. They helped musicians keep time and added dramatic effect to performances.
When the foot pedal was invented in 1909, it allowed drummers to play one drum with their foot and another with their hands. Along with the rise of rock, blues, and jazz music, the foot pedal led to the development of the drum kit. Drum kits allowed musicians to play complicated, varied rhythms using a larger number of percussion instruments than ever before. Drum kits are metal frames that support a varied arrangement of drums and cymbals. Seated behind the center of a drum kit, a drummer can reach and play several percussion instruments at one time. One or more drums and a variety of cymbals can be controlled by foot pedals. Drummers may customize drum kits to include whichever types of drums they need to suit a particular occasion.
Overview
Modern drums may be hit with a variety of instruments to produce sound. A musician may use his or her hands, which are able to strike very harshly or very softly, to strike certain types of drums. However, many drums are designed to be struck with sticks or mallets. Drumsticks can be made from several materials. Different types of wood offer varying degrees of control, weight, and durability. Plastic and metal drumsticks feel very different from wooden sticks. They are often much lighter and more durable than their wooden counterparts.
The sound produced from a drum varies depending on the striking implement used by the drummer. Heavy sticks, light sticks, wooden mallets, rubber mallets, cloth-wrapped beaters, and hands all produce different tones on the same drum. Sometimes drummers use wide, fan-shaped brushes to strike drums. These drumming brushes vary in length and thickness, and each provides a subtle variation in sound.
The snare drum is one of the most common drums. Snares are small, shallow drums, usually built with plastic drumheads. Many metal wires are tightly attached to the bottom head of the snare drum. When the top head is struck with a drumstick, the bottom head vibrates, which shakes the metal wires. The sound of the metal wires vibrating coupled with the sound of the shallow drum being struck creates a sharp, high-pitched sound. In jazz and blues drumming, the snare drum is sometimes struck with a brush instead of a stick. This creates a quieter, gentler sound. The snare drum cuts through sounds produced by other instruments and creates a distinct rhythm that can be heard clearly over the other instruments. It has been used for military signaling, in orchestras, and in marching bands. Snare drums are a staple of most drum kits.
The bass drum is another commonly utilized drum. Bass drums are large, double-headed drums that have no definitive tuning. When struck, they create a very loud, deep sound. Bass drums are normally played with a heavy, padded mallet. When played in a symphony orchestra, the bass drum is placed on a special horizontal stand. The musician may then strike the bass drum with a variety of implements to create different sounds. In this circumstance, the drum is used for dramatic effect. When used in a marching band, the bass drum is suspended from the musician's chest in a special harness. It is then played with a pair of heavy, padded mallets. In this circumstance, the drum is used to keep rhythm. When used with a standard drum kit, the bass drum is placed on the ground and connected to a foot pedal. The bass drum is then used in conjunction with the snare to create a beat for other instruments to follow.
Tom-tom drums are large, single-headed drums and are common in modern drum kits. They vary in size and depth and provide extra tools for building rhythm. Tom-toms can be tuned to different pitches, allowing musicians to customize the notes produced by their drums. In most drum kits, tom-toms are attached to the drum kit frame above the bass drum. They also may be placed on the floor next to the snare drum or bass drum.
The tambourine is among the oldest drums. It has a small, shallow drum body. Although it often has a single drumhead, the tambourine may have no drumheads. The tambourine has loose metal disks attached to its body that make a jingling noise when shaken. A musician usually holds a tambourine in one hand and plays it by shaking it or striking it with his or her other hand.
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