Everything You Need to Know About Drums

Everything you need to know about Drums. “Surely it can’t be EVERYTHING?” Nope, everything. History of the drums, famous drummers, makes of drums, the best drums, everything. Drums actually have a very important role to play in music. Not only are they the entire structure and foundation of rap and hip-hop, I’m pretty sure that if you listened to your favourite rock or pop song without the drums, it would sound rubbish.The drums have been around as far as anyone can remember. They appeared as far back as 6000BC – pretty incredible for a modern musical instrument. Drums are membranophones – instruments which create sound when beaten with some type of object. Common myth is that the body of the drum creates the sound – but it only acts as an amplifier. The membrane stretched across the top actually produces the sound. (vibrations). Drums have always been used for more than just music. Religious purposes, Tribal celebrations, in War, Warnings, and messaging.

Drum KITS, as in a group of various toned drums and symbols, were first seen in marching bands and parade bands in New Orleans. Double drumming was a term used for drummers when they played more than one drum at once – something very common now. Early designs has cowbells and wooden blocks, and then in the 1930’s the standard drum kit took shape. The standard drum includes:

- A bass drum and foot pedal – Snare – Tom toms – A Hi-hat cymbal – Large hanging cymbals.

In the 1960’s rock band drummers began to change this, by expanding it. An extra bass drum, more symbols – people had gotten skilled enough to require more thing to play with. Electric drums were created, and it is arguable that this is where modern synthesized drum beats used in songs originated from. What’s next for the drum? Who knows. Maybe it’s time to start adding more. After all, the sky is the limit.

Famous drummers are rather well recognized. Ringo Star, Neil Peart, John Bonham all belonged to famous bands and are now recognized as legends. Some have great drum solos which are also recognizable. My favourite drummer? Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But it’s not my opinion that mattters – the greatest drummer of all time according to polls is Neil Peart. His drumming is unbelievably fast, and he is rhythmically strong. He’s maybe not as strong with the beat as John Bonham but is he is faster. The strange thing is that Neil Peart was inspired by 2 people – Keith Moon – and John Bonham.

I’m not saying Neil Peart is definitely the best drummer of all my time – like i said, my favourite is Chad Smith – you can make your own decision.

In terms of famous makes of drums, you’re looking at Yamaha, Remo, Tama, DW, and Premier. Again, there are more but these are some of the biggest.

So the drums have come a long way and have a long way to go. They’ve around since the dawn of man – and they aren’t leaving soon, considering they are the foundations of most songs. They are more that just instruments – they can be used as a variety of things. And with these aspects of the drums in mind there have been some serious masters brought up and seen.

Without drums music wouldn’t be what it is today – try listening to your favourite song without drums, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

: article by Mark James