The Basics of the Drum Instrument Family

Drums are one of the most versatile instruments and can be found in almost any type of music from a brass band march to a James Bond theme. The drummer can create a range of sounds from thundering storms to soft whispers and everything in between. Drums are the largest member of the percussion instrument family and are played by hitting them with sticks that have two heads, one being a batter head and the other being a resonating head. The drums can be tuned to allow for different note values or pitches. They are usually positioned on a stand but can be played from the floor as well.

The snare drum is one of the most important members of the percussion family and plays a crucial role in the overall rhythm of a piece of music. The snare drum is the most recognizable of all drums and has the ability to provide a range of different sound effects ranging from roaring thunder to subtle squeaks. This is achieved by adjusting the tension of the drumheads. The drummer can also play rolls on the snare drum with either a single or double stick. Rolls are played near the center of the batter head to produce a darker timbre or at the edge of the head for a brighter sound.

A set of drums known as a kit consists of a number of cymbals and a bass drum. These are often referred to as the backbone of a classical orchestral drum section and can produce a wide range of sounds from roaring thunder to delicate squeaks. The cymbals are a group of untuned instruments that can be used to create a variety of different sounds and they come in a variety of sizes from very small to extremely large.

Other types of drums include the tenor drum which is similar to the snare but without the snares and has a more sombre quality. The timpani is another large percussion instrument that is capable of a range of sounds from roaring thunder to a soft whisper.

Drums can be played with any type of stick but most players use the bass drum stick which has a thick handle that is considerably larger and heavier than that of a large timpani mallet. A snare drum stick has a thinner handle and is more suited to short strokes. Drummers can also hit the head of the bass drum using their fingers or with their whole hand but this is less common.

The snare drum can be struck in three different ways: a single stroke that is damped immediately or after the strike. A double stroke is a combination of two strokes that are damped according to the notes value or pitch. The drum can also be played with a heel-toe technique where the drummer strikes the pedal with the ball of his foot for the first beat then moves his heel up the pedal for the second beat.