Drum Set Anatomy

A drum set, or kit, is a collection of drums and cymbals used to keep time, accent a rhythm or song, and create a variety of other sounds. Various drums and cymbals can be added or removed from the kit depending on the style of music being played, as well as personal preference, and skill level of the drummer.

A standard drum set consists of four drums: a snare, bass, mounted tom (sometimes two) and a floor tom. This is the most basic configuration and is recommended for beginner drummers. Drummers may add additional drums and cymbals to the setup to create different sounds, such as a splash or china cymbal for an oriental feel to beats, rhythms, fills and solos.

The snare drum is one of the most important elements in the drum set. It sits in front of the drummer and features a resonant bottom head with a set of snare wires that run along the surface. When hit with drumsticks, the snare wires vibrate and cause a distinct snapping sound.

Drummers also use the snare to create a wide variety of sounds by applying different amounts of pressure and striking it on different parts of its surface. Using different strokes will produce a range of different sounds and nuances, including the classic “chick.”

Another key element in the snare drum is the snare head itself. There are several different types of snare heads available on the market, from the traditional coated tom head to more modern mesh and plastic drumheads that give the snare a sharper, brighter sound. A good snare drum head will be slightly thinner and more resonant than other drumheads, and should feature a tighter treble response.

A snare drum can also be upgraded with an array of accessories to modify its sound and performance, such as a snare rod to help adjust the tension on the snare wires or a snare sleeve to protect the resonant bottom head from damage caused by contact with the floor. The sleeve, which is about an inch or more long and slides over the snare rod, reduces the amount of friction between the resonant bottom head and the snare rod, preventing the metal from rubbing against each other and creating a duller sound.

There are a number of different ways to measure the size and performance of a snare drum, but most commonly a drum set is described by its number of pieces, with the sum of all the drums minus the snare and bass drum being used to determine its total. A common method of counting the number of pieces is to subtract the snare and bass drum from the total, with some kits excluding the mounted tom.

The bass drum is a crucial part of any drum set, providing the deep, resonating tones that form the foundation of a rhythm. The bass drum is hit with a pedal, which activates a beater that strikes the bass drum for deep, solid tones that drive the rhythm. The bass drum is also often equipped with a snare rod to add a different sound, or even tom-toms to extend the bass range of the kit.