The drum is a percussion instrument with a very long history. It has been played (and is still being played) in almost every part of the world, in almost every society on earth. One thinks of the way African tribes and other cultures of the wilds of this planet are stereotypically portrayed on TV sometimes, pounding drums, reliant on rythym, not just for entertainment, but for communication. Drums are ancient and tribal.

Bang the Drum

Simply put, a drum is a hollow cylinder with tanned animal skin stretched over the opening at the top of it. A drumstick or mallet is often used to beat upon this drumskin, sending a sound reverberating around the hollow body, making a drumbeat. Animal, one of the funniest characters in Jim Henson's Muppet Show, provides a most exaggerated and highly entertaining example of playing the modern drum kit.

You can also use your hand in beating out a sound on a drum, as Beatniks have been known to do as they sit around late night smoky venues playing the bongo. Bongos are two small drums attached to one another, sitting side by side, and placed in the lap.

Meet the Family

The rhythm section brings together an authentic family of percussion-related instruments. It is an ensemble of objects, such as woodblocks, shakers, maracas, and crashing symbols, that often become strewn about a pit orchestra (the group of fine musicians who "hide" inside a pit in front of a stage, during theatrical performances) or on the front sidelines of a marching band.

The drum is produced in a variety of colors and sizes. A drummer gets to choose his sticks, stands, and drumkits from popular brands, such as Pearl, Yamaha, Zdildjian, and Allegra. His cymbals can be selected to suit his taste according to effect-style: hi-hat, splash, crash, and ride...

The larger the drum, the deeper and more resonant its tone.

The Bass Drum

The big bass drum, largest of the percussion family, is always beaten with a mallet. This large drum is meant to have its drumskin exposed to audiences and passers-by. The bass drum is a visual indicator of many tribes, or wild groups located in the "More Civilized Areas of Earth". These wild groups are known as rock bands, punk bands, garage bands, and "Nosiy No-Good Kids", which we will get to later. The bass drum often appears in parades, carried in front of and being played by the bass player(who can hopefully keep a steady beat).

Oftentimes one associates the lowest of musicians with the plight of a marching band bass drum player-- often striking a mundane down-beat(the first beat in Common Time, common in marching bands), and carrying a burdensome instrument with the assistance of a carrier. Yet it is also the bass player who strikes fear in an audience of parade-goers or American Football Game spectators. The thunderous noise produced by a bass drum can make the pavement shake, and can echoe proudly into the bleachers.

Usually the bass drummer carries an image of his school's mascot on the drumskin. The commonplace use of the bass drumskin as a canvas for political or prideful advertising can possibly be attributed to older traditions. Possibly this promotion was inspired by places like Ireland, where Celtic knots were painted onto drumskins back in "the olden days"(possibly today as well). These smaller, flatter drums, called bhodrans, and were possibly used in funeral processions.

Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me

Pah-rum-pa-pum-pum!!!

The snare drum, our smallest member of the drum family, is heralded in a Christmastime song of old. The gift of music is all that a little drummer boy can offer to the newborn savior.

A snare drum player is also a familar image to American patriots... three colonial soldiers marched steadily onward, one a flutist, and another drummer, keeping his candance on the snare (drum) attached to him by a strap over his shoulders.

The sound produced by the snare is a crisp one, and well-sought after, not merely to push brave troops forward... In recent decades, the mere sound of a well-played snare will drive lovers of music to "air-drum" a drum solo... Finally, "Drum-roll, please" is an almost trite cue that an important act or witicism will soon be played out.

Quads and Timpanies

The quad, a set of four drums, is another member of the drum family, small enough to carry in a marching band. Each indivual drum is attached to the next, and are tuned as seperate notes, or tones, adding an important layer to the drum section. These are played with a padded mallet, to enhance the round tones of the quad.

Another drum played with a padded mallet is the large timpani(kettledrums), found commonly in heavier-pieced orchestras which need the backing of this drum

Rock and Roll Will Always Be...

Finally, the drum's true importance is in the role it plays in the rock and roll group. The drum(when accompanied by a drummer) provides the steady beat that allows bass guitars, pianos, guitars, and voices to produce the pretty tones we like to boogie to. In this setting, one will discover the drumset, which consists of snares(the smallest, most basic drum), the bass drum, symbols(which are shiny and make a nice lovely crashing noise and are most fun to watch, even when not in action) and everything in between.

Drum Break

Many people like to knock a drummer down a peg by using humor. The following are a few jokes, brought to my attention by researchers NexusSeven and Paladin, of the Lost Hour, respectively:

Q: What do you call someone who hangs around with musicians?

A: A drummer.

Q: What do you call a drummer who doesn't have a girlfriend?

A: Homeless.

Without Drummers, How would we Keep Time?

To be a rock and roll drummer means that you must have a mastery of many instruments at once. Ringo, a member of the Beatles, is a favoured worker of the drumset. Given a solo spot by the Fab Four, he is probably best remembered as the man who sang 'Yellow Submarine' and 'With a Little Help from my Friends', songs written for him by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, fellow Beatles. Ringo did, however, write some of his own songs - 'Octopus' Garden' probably the most recognized - both before and after the Beatle break-up in late 1969. On 28 June, 2000, he performed at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, USA. A few days later, on 7 July, the Liverpudlian turned sixty. Well over half a century old, and he's still touring and producing music!

Other famous drummers are Ginger Baker, founder of Cream as well as Keith Moon of The Who, and Doug Clifford of Creedence Clearwater Revival . Don Henley of the Eagles is credited for not only providing the vocals but also the composition to such classics as 'The Best of my Love', 'Hotel California' and 'Heartache Tonight', among others. Phil Collins is another singer/songwriter whose home is in front of a drum set. He had been best known for his work in the group Genesis, until his sucessful soundtrack to Disney's 'Tarzan' in 1997. Composing for Disney (and using various percussion instruments) he is in the class of other Disney songwriters, Elton John, and Michael Bolton...

Foo Fighters frontman David Grohl was at one time, a drummer for Nirvana (led by the late Kurt Cobain), a popular Seattle band that altered the face of rock and roll in the 1990's.

So Now You Want to be a Drummer

You need to understand where and how to practice if you wish to excell as a drummer. Rock and rollers are reputed to be quite loud and wild, but in truth, good musicianship comes through practice. Soundproofed basements are the best places, but if this is an impossibility, money will allow you to treat yourself to a few drummer-practicing luxuries. Among these are practice pads, headphones, and cymbal mufflers. Remember, drummers, practice pads reduce the volume of your playing, and keep your roommates and family a little happier about living with you.