By: Enigma Valdez
Submitted: 2008-11-12 22:45:05 | Word Count: 584
Drums have been around forever. Another name for drums is called a membraphone. This is because drums are really an instrument that makes sound by striking a membrane. Drums consist of the body which is hollowed out. Then, a membrane of some sort is stretched over the end of that drum. Pegs are tightened and loosened to create different tones. Most people think that the body of the drum makes the sound, but it’s actually the membrane that makes the sound.
Drums date as far back as 6000 BC. Mesopotamian excavations have unearthed drums that date back as far back as 3000 BC. Markings on the walls of caves in Peru depict drums. The Native American Indians made drums out of gourds and wood. They used these for their ceremonies and spiritual rituals. Drums have played and important role in many ancient societies and were used for more than just music.
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As the uses of drums evolved, drum kits were developed. A drum kit is basically a group of various toned drums. It was found that one person could play more than just one drum at a time. He or she could play several simultaneously. This is also called double drumming. Tom toms and cymbals were invented in China and they were then added to the regular drum kits. Later, more people got creative and added percussion instruments like wood blocks, cowbells, chimes and things. By the time 1930’s rolled around, the standard drum kit had taken shape. This drum kit consisted of a bass drum, foot pedal, large hanging cymbals, hi hat, snare and tom toms.
Later on during the 1960’s, rock drummers expanded the drum kits, which are the normal standard of today. More cymbals and toms were used as well as another bass drum to increase speed. Electronic drums were also created. Electronics drums are cool in a way because they can create sounds that traditional drums can’t. So then, we had the synthesized drum sounds that you hear in many styles of modern music of today.
If you’re a beginner and you’re wondering what you should have in your drum kit, here’s a list of items:
1. Snare
2. 3 toms, high tom, low tom , floor tom
3. Bass drum
4. Ride cymbal
5. Crash cymbal
6. Hi hat
If you re wondering how much a drum set will cost, the answer is a little complex. Some drum sets can be as cheap as $100 or $200, while others can cost as much as $10,000 or more. As with anything, you get what you pay for. You want a drumset that s sturdy enough to endure years of playing. If you re planning on becoming professional and going on the road, doing performances, you ll want to invest at least $700 and up on it.
On the other hand, if you re just planning on keeping it a hobby, then you may can get away with $200 or $300 sets.
These are the basics. You can always add more things like Chinese cymbals, a cowbell, etc. If you don t have a drum kit yet, don t let that stop you from practicing. All you need is a couple of drum sticks (they cost about $3 to $10 at the music store) and a wood block. Main thing is that you practice your rhythm and the basics like paradiddles and basic beats. If you re a complete greenhorn, then this is going to take you enough time to learn until you can save up for a set. Until then, keep on rockin .
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