Understand the Parts of a Drum Set
Choosing and purchasing a new drum set can be an expensive and daunting endeavor. Drum sets are offered in different sizes and configurations depending on the musical style played; in addition, choosing the right cymbals to pair with a drum set is crucial. If you are new to drums and want to learn your way around a drum set, you should begin by examining the role of each component individually. Learning how to understand the parts of a drum set will help you in choosing your first kit.
Steps
- Familiarize yourself with the snare drum. The snare drum is perhaps the most important drum in any drum set. It is a rather shallow drum fitted with a set of tightened wires underneath the resonant head; this gives it its signature "crack" sound. In nearly any musical style, the snare drum is played on the back beats (beats 2 and 4 in a 4/4 time signature).
- Examine the uses of the bass drum. The bass drum, often called a kick drum, fits hand-in-glove with the snare drum. The bass drum has a large diameter, most commonly 22 inches (56 cm), and thus has a deep, resounding sound. It is played with the drummer's right foot using a pedal. It is often played on the upbeats (beat 1 and 3 in a 4/4 time signature) to balance the snare drum back beat.
- Get to know the hi-hat cymbals. If you could only choose 3 components for an extremely basic drum set, the best choices would be a snare drum, bass drum, and a pair of hi-hat cymbals. The hi-hats are played in eighth- and sixteenth-note patterns to fill in the drum groove of nearly any kind of music. They can be closed and opened using a foot pedal located under the drummer's left foot.
- Acquaint yourself with the ride cymbal. The ride cymbal is the largest cymbal in a drum set, usually with a diameter between 20 and 22 inches (50 - 56 cm). It is the next most important component after the snare, bass, and hi-hat. Ride cymbals are used for the same eighth- and sixteenth-note patterns as the hi-hat, but provide a more sustained, "washy" sound. Ride cymbal patterns are especially prevalent in jazz drumming.
- Introduce yourself to crash and splash cymbals. Crash cymbals are smaller than ride cymbals, usually boasting a diameter between 15 and 18 inches (38 - 45 cm). Splash cymbals are even smaller and higher in pitch, with diameters ranging from 6 inches to 14 inches (15 - 35 cm). These cymbals are usually struck on their edge, providing a loud, piercing impact that is ideal for ending drum fills.
- Familiarize yourself with the toms. The remaining drums in a drum set are called toms or tom-toms. These drums do not have snare wires underneath them, and so provide a more mellow sound than the snare drum. Toms can be mounted over the bass drum or supported on a set of adjustable legs. They are most often used in drum fills, but can also form crucial parts of the groove in Latin American and Afro-Cuban drum patterns.
Tips
- The two most popular drum set configurations are sold as "rock" and "jazz" kits. Rock kits include a 22 inch (56 cm) bass drum, and 12, 13, and 16 inch (30, 33, 40 cm) toms. Jazz kits provide a lighter sound with their 20 inch bass drum and 10, 12, and 14 inch (25, 30, 35 cm) toms.
- To simplify the cymbal selecting and purchasing process, you can buy pre-packaged cymbal packs that include hi-hats, a ride, and a crash cymbal. All the major cymbal manufacturers offer these cymbal packs.
