What is a Drum Set?

Drums are a key element of virtually every music genre. They set the tempo and are the heartbeat of so many styles of music, ranging from rock and pop to blues and jazz. This section of the Wikiversity class is designed to help you explore this fascinating form of art and learn the basics of rhythmic notation, dynamics, technique, styles, instruments and more.

A drum set (also known as a trap set, or drum kit) is a collection of drums and cymbals, usually with other auxiliary percussion instruments like cowbells, wood blocks, triangles or chimes, arranged for convenient playing by one drummer. The drummer hits the cymbals with drumsticks and uses their feet to control pedals for bass and hi-hat cymbals.

There are a variety of different drum sets that are used for different musical styles. The standard five-piece drum set consists of a large bass drum, smaller tom-toms, a snare drum and a series of cymbals. The snare drum is the heartbeat of a lot of popular music, and a good snare sound can distinguish a drummer from a bad one. A snare drum that sounds muddy, dull or dead can easily ruin an otherwise good song.

Most drum kits also include a larger ride cymbal on a stand and a smaller crash cymbal on a separate stand. Sometimes a sizzle cymbal, which is thinner and slightly brighter than the regular ride cymbal, may be added to a kit as well. A full drum set also includes a set of drumsticks and a throne (a stool that sits beneath the snare drum). Drummers can choose from various finishes for their thrones and sticks, but most use clear or black plastic or metal to make it easier to see their hand placement on the drum head.

Traditionally, drums have been made from wood and leather with metal reinforcement rings for the heads. However, today’s drummers may choose to use steel or even acoustic shells instead of wood and leather. Stainless steel drums are becoming increasingly common and offer advantages such as increased resistance to corrosion, decreased maintenance, and improved tone. In addition to these benefits, some musicians prefer the sound of stainless steel drums compared to other materials.

Drummers typically hit their instrument with a pair of drumsticks, though brushes and cartwheels are sometimes used as well. They can also use their hands to operate the bass and hi-hat pedals. They can also slap the cymbals with their hands or knees, though this is not very common. Occasionally, drummers will dunk their cymbals in water to create a sort of water gong effect, although this is a less desirable method because the sound decays quickly.

In the game Terraria, the Drum Set is a novelty furniture item that requires the Drumstick to work, and produces drum sounds when tapped by the player. The Drum Set can be purchased from the Merchant for 10 and the Drumstick for 50 after defeating the Eater of Worlds, Brain of Cthulhu, Skeletron or Wall of Flesh.