A drum kit, also called a drum set or trap set, is a musical instrument made up of several percussion instruments that one person plays. It usually includes drums, cymbals, and sometimes other items like a tambourine or cowbell. The drummer sits on a drum throne and uses drumsticks, wire brushes, or nylon brushes to hit the drums and cymbals. They also use pedals to control the bass drum and hi-hat, which helps them change the sound as needed.

The drum set is not the same for everyone, but it often includes a snare drum, bass drum, hi-hat, and at least one cymbal. Some drum kits may be smaller, with only a few parts, while others have many more instruments. The drum kit is part of the rhythm section in many types of music, such as rock, pop, blues, and jazz.

History

Before the classic drum kit was created, drums and cymbals used in military and orchestral music were played by different percussionists. In the 1840s, percussionists began testing foot pedals to allow them to play multiple instruments, but these devices were not made in large numbers until 75 years later. By the 1860s, percussionists started combining several drums into one set. The bass drum, snare drum, cymbals, and other percussion instruments were struck with hand-held drumsticks. In musical theater, drummers appeared in stage shows where pit orchestras had limited budgets because there was not enough money to hire many percussionists. This led to the creation of the drum kit, which allowed one person to replace multiple percussionists.

Double-drumming was developed so one person could play both the bass and snare drums with sticks, while cymbals were played by tapping the foot on a "low-boy." With this method, the bass drum was usually played on beats one and three (in 4/4 time). Originally designed to accompany marching soldiers, this simple drumming style influenced the development of ragtime music, where the beats became more syncopated, creating a stronger swing and dance feel. The drum kit was first called a "trap set," and from the late 1800s to the 1930s, drummers were called "trap drummers." By the 1870s, drummers used an overhang pedal, but many preferred double-drumming without a pedal. Companies like the one owned by drummer Edward "Dee Dee" Chandler patented pedal systems in 1904 or 1905. This allowed percussionists to play the bass drum by standing and using their feet, leading to the term "kick drum."

William F. Ludwig Sr. and his brother Theobald started Ludwig & Ludwig Co. in 1909 and patented the first commercially successful bass drum pedal system. In 1912, drummers began using wire brushes and metal fly swatters instead of sticks because the louder sounds from sticks could overpower other instruments. By World War I, drum kits often resembled marching-band-style bass drums with many percussion items attached and suspended around them. Drum kits became central to jazz, especially Dixieland. The modern drum kit was developed during the vaudeville era in the 1920s in New Orleans.

Drummers like Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton, and Ray Bauduc combined marching rhythms with the bass drum, snare drum, and "traps" (a term for percussion instruments from immigrant groups, such as miniature cymbals, tom toms, cowbells, and woodblocks). They incorporated these elements into ragtime, creating a style that evolved into jazz drumming. Budget limits and space issues in musical theater pit orchestras led bandleaders to ask percussionists to cover more parts. Metal consoles were made to hold Chinese tom-toms, with swing-out stands for snare drums and cymbals. A "contraption" tray (shortened to "trap") was placed on top of the console to hold items like whistles, klaxons, and cowbells. These kits were called "trap kits." Hi-hat stands became available around 1926.

In 1918, Baby Dodds, who played on Mississippi River riverboats with Louis Armstrong, modified the military marching setup. He experimented with playing drum rims instead of woodblocks, hitting cymbals with sticks (a new practice), and adding a side cymbal above the bass drum, which became the ride cymbal. William Ludwig created the "sock" or early low-mounted hi-hat after observing Dodds' drumming. Dodds asked Ludwig to raise the low-hat cymbal nine inches to make it easier to play, leading to the modern hi-hat cymbal. Dodds was one of the first drummers to use the broken-triplet beat, which became standard for ride cymbal playing. He also popularized Chinese cymbals. At the time, recording technology was poor, so loud sounds could distort recordings. To solve this, Dodds used woodblocks and drum rims as quieter alternatives to cymbals and drum skins.

In the 1920s, freelance drummers were hired for shows, concerts, theaters, and clubs to support dancers and musicians. Orchestras were used to accompany silent films, and drummers provided sound effects. Sheet music from the 1920s shows that drum sets were growing larger to support different acts. However, by 1930, films with audio became popular, and many were accompanied by pre-recorded soundtracks. This change caused thousands of drummers who worked as sound effects specialists to lose jobs. Some drummers found work as Foley artists, creating sound effects for motion pictures.

Playing

Kit drumming, whether supporting voices and other instruments or playing a drum solo, has two main parts:

• A groove that creates the basic rhythm and sets the foundation for the song. Grooves help define the song's mood (examples include a backbeat or shuffle).
• Drum fills and other variations that add interest and change the drum sound. Fills might be short rhythms played on a tom or snare, longer patterns on the hi-hat, or even short drum solos. Fills help transition between parts of the song and highlight important changes. A vocal cue is a short fill that signals when a singer begins. A fill ending with a cymbal crash on beat one often introduces a chorus or verse.

A drum solo is a section where the drummer plays alone, without other instruments. While other instrument solos usually include support from the rhythm section (like bass or guitar), drum solos often pause the rest of the band to focus on the drummer. In some cases, the rhythm section may play short, loud chords called "punches." Drum solos are common in jazz and used in some rock styles, such as heavy metal and progressive rock. During solos, drummers can use complex rhythms that would be hard to play with a group. In live performances, drummers may play longer solos, even in genres where solos are rare on recordings.

Most drummers use one of two grips to hold drumsticks:

• The traditional grip, or classic grip, was originally used for side drums in marching bands. The right hand holds the stick with an overhand grip, and the left hand uses an underhand grip. This was needed because marching snare drums were carried across the shoulder at an angle, making matched grip less practical. Traditional grip is often used by jazz drummers because of its connection to early jazz and marching bands.
• The matched grip, where both sticks are held the same way. One common style is German grip, with palms facing down, or French grip, where the sticks are held at 90º to the drum. Matched grip is more popular among modern drummers.

Components

The bass drum, also called the "kick drum," is the drum with the lowest sound. It usually sets the beat or timing in music with basic rhythm patterns. Some drummers use two bass drums or a double pedal on one drum. This allows them to play a style called double-bass-drumming with just one drum. Using one drum saves space during performances, makes setup and packing easier, and reduces effort. This style is used in some music genres, such as heavy metal and progressive rock.

The snare drum provides the backbeat, which is the strong, regular rhythm played with the non-dominant hand. It is important for creating fills, which are short, rhythmic patterns. The snare drum's unique sound comes from stiff metal wires (called snares) that are tightened under the bottom drum head (the snare head). When the top head (the batter head) is hit with a drumstick, the snares vibrate, making a sharp, buzzing sound along with the stick hitting the batter head. Some drummers use more than one snare drum (called secondary snares) to create different backbeat sounds.

Tom-tom drums, or toms, are drums without snares. They are played with sticks or other tools depending on the music style. They are the most common drums in a drum kit and are used for fills and solos.

• Traditional rack toms with different sizes and depths
• Floor toms, which are the largest and lowest-pitched toms
• Single-headed concert toms
• Rototoms

Smaller toms (called octobans) and larger toms (called gong drums) are sometimes included in a kit. The names of drum kits, like "four-piece" or "five-piece," usually depend on how many toms are in the kit. These kits typically include one snare drum and one or more bass drums, with the rest of the drums being toms.

Octobans are small toms used in drum kits. They add higher-pitched sounds to the kit because of their deep shape and small size. They are also called rocket toms or tube toms.

Timbales are smaller than toms of the same size and are usually made of metal. They are played with thin, light sticks and are common in Latin music. They have a different sound than toms but can be used to add higher pitches. Some drummers use special heads on timbales to make them sound like shallow concert toms.

Attack timbales and mini timbales are smaller versions of timbales. They allow for thicker drum heads to be used while keeping the same pitch and tension. These are used in modern and traditional Latin, reggae, and other music styles.

Gong drums are rare in drum kits. They look like bass drums (about 20–24 inches wide) but are played with sticks instead of a foot pedal. They serve the same purpose as floor toms.

Most hand drums cannot be played with drumsticks without risking damage to the drum head and edges, which are not protected by metal rims. For use in a drum kit, they can be fitted with metal heads and played carefully with sticks or by hand.

In most drum kits, cymbals are as important as the drums. Cymbals are among the oldest musical instruments, with early versions used in the ancient Near East during the Bronze Age. They are strongly associated with Turkey, where the Zildjian company has made them since 1623.

Beginner drummers often start with cymbal packs that include four cymbals: one ride, one crash, and two hi-hats. Some packs include three cymbals, combining a crash and ride. Sizes of cymbals usually match common drum kit configurations. Many drummers add extra cymbals, such as another crash, a splash, or a china cymbal, to their kits.

The ride cymbal is used to keep a steady rhythm, often playing every beat or as needed. This technique was developed by jazz drummer Baby Dodds. Most drummers use one main ride cymbal, usually 20–22 inches in size, placed near their dominant hand. It is a heavy cymbal that stands out in a band. Some drummers use lighter cymbals, like swish or sizzle cymbals, for specific sounds, especially in jazz or folk music. In the 1960s, Ringo Starr of the Beatles used a sizzle cymbal as a second ride during guitar solos.

Hi-hat cymbals (called "hats") are two cymbals mounted on a metal stand. One cymbal is fixed, and the other moves up and down with a foot pedal. When the pedal is pressed, the top cymbal hits the bottom one, creating sound. Hi-hats can be played by hitting them with sticks or by opening and closing them with the pedal. This allows drummers to create rhythms with their feet while using their hands for other parts. Open hi-hats (without the pedal pressed) make a louder, noisier sound, while closed hi-hats (with the pedal pressed) make a crisp sound. A special effect is created by hitting open hi-hats and then closing them with the pedal, which is common in disco and funk music. Hi-hats and ride cymbals both help keep the rhythm, but they are not usually played at the same time for long periods.

Crash cymbals are used to highlight important moments in music, such as loud sections, changes in mood, or vocal entries. They are often played with a strong kick from the bass drum. Crash cymbals are a common technique taught to drummers. In jazz, ride cymbals may be played like crash cymbals for louder sounds. Some hi-hats can also make crash-like sounds, especially thinner ones. Special cymbals combine the roles of crash and ride cymbals.

Cymbals that are not rides, hi-hats, or crashes are usually called effects cymbals in drum kits.

Common configurations

Drum kits are usually grouped based on how many drums they have, not counting cymbals or other instruments. The snare, tom-tom, and bass drums are always counted, while other drums, like octobans, may or may not be counted.

In America and the United Kingdom, drum sizes are often written as depth x diameter, both measured in inches. Some drum makers now write sizes as diameter x depth instead. For example, a hanging tom that is 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep might be listed as 8 inches × 12 inches by Tama, but as 12 inches × 8 inches by Pearl. A standard Ludwig snare drum that is 5 inches deep and 14 inches wide is called a 5-inch × 14-inch instrument. The UK's Premier Manufacturer lists the same drum as 14-inch × 5-inch. The sizes listed below are typical, but many instruments may differ slightly or greatly. Sizes are not listed when there is too much variety to give a single example.

A typical three-piece kit includes a bass drum, a snare drum (14 inches wide), hi-hat cymbals (12–14 inches wide), a hanging tom (12 inches wide and 8–9 inches deep), and a suspended cymbal (14–18 inches wide). These two cymbals are placed on the bass drum. These kits were common in the 1950s and 1960s.

This setup is often used by children.

A four-piece kit adds a second mounted tom, which moves the cymbal to a different position. The second tom is usually 10 inches wide and 8 inches deep for fusion music, or 13 inches wide and 1 inch deeper than a 12-inch tom. Alternatively, a 14-inch hanging tom is added to the 12-inch tom, both 8 inches deep. Both toms are usually placed on the bass drum, with the smaller tom next to the hi-hats (on the left for right-handed drummers).

Another cymbal is often added, creating separate ride and crash cymbals. These can be placed on two stands, or the ride cymbal is mounted on the bass drum to the player’s right, and the crash cymbal is on a separate stand. The standard crash cymbal is 16 inches wide, and the ride cymbal is 18–20 inches wide (with 20 inches being most common).

These kits are useful in small venues, such as coffeehouses, cafés, hotel lounges, and small pubs.

If a floor tom is added instead of a mounted tom to make a four-piece kit, the floor tom is usually 14 inches wide for jazz music, or 16 inches wide for other styles. Outside of jazz, four-piece kits are widely used in rock, pop, and rhythm and blues. They are also the most common setup for music schools and beginners.

Famous drummers who use four-piece kits include Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, John Barbata of the Turtles, and many jazz drummers like Art Blakey, Buddy Rich, and Jo Jones. In jazz, the lack of a second hanging tom allows the ride cymbal to be placed closer to the drummer, making it easier to play.

A five-piece kit is the full-size kit and is the most common setup for many music styles, including pop, rock, jazz fusion, and electronic music. It adds a third tom to the four-piece kit, making three toms in total. A fusion kit often adds a 14-inch tom, either as a second floor tom or a hanging tom on a stand to the right of the bass drum, creating a lineup of 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch toms. Having three toms allows drummers to use high-, middle-, and low-pitched toms, giving them more options for fills, solos, and breaks.

Other five-piece kits may have 12-inch and 13-inch hanging toms, along with a 14-inch hanging tom on a stand, a 14-inch floor tom, or a 16-inch floor tom. A common setup includes 10-inch and 12-inch hanging toms with a 16-inch floor tom, called a hybrid setup. The bass drum is most often 22 inches wide, but rock kits may use 24-inch, fusion kits 20-inch, jazz kits 18-inch, and larger bands may use up to 26-inch bass drums. A second crash cymbal is common, usually an inch or two larger or smaller than the 16-inch one, with the larger cymbal to the right for right-handed drummers. Big band drummers may use crashes up to 20 inches and rides up to 24 inches, or even 26 inches. Rock kits may use larger ride cymbals or hi-hats, such as 22-inch rides and 15-inch hi-hats.

Most five-piece kits, except entry-level models, include one or more effects cymbals. Adding extra cymbals requires more stands and hardware. Because of this, many professional kits are sold without hardware, allowing drummers to choose their preferred stands and bass drum pedal. At the other end, inexpensive kits often include two cymbal stands, a stool, and drum sticks. In the 2010s, digital kits were often sold as five-piece kits with one plastic crash cymbal trigger and one ride cymbal trigger. Fully electronic drums do not make any sound beyond the quiet tapping of sticks on plastic or rubber heads. Their trigger-pads are connected to a synth module or sampler.

If the toms are removed completely or the bass drum is replaced by a pedal-operated beater on the bottom of a floor tom, the result is a two-piece cocktail drum kit, originally used for cocktail lounge performances. These kits are popular in genres like trad jazz, bebop, rockabilly, and jump blues. Some rockabilly kits and beginner kits for very young players may omit the hi-hat stand, allowing the drummer to play standing up. A simple jazz kit for informal jam sessions includes a bass drum, snare drum, and hi-hat, often with only one cymbal (usually a ride, with or without sizzlers).

Although these kits may have fewer drums, the drums themselves are usually normal or even larger in size. Kits with smaller drums are used for specific purposes, such as reducing the visual impact of a large kit, fitting into small spaces, traveling, or for very young players. Smaller drums are

Accessories

Drumsticks are usually made from wood like maple, hickory, and oak. However, newer materials like metal and carbon fiber are also used. The original wooden drumstick was designed for playing the snare drum and was best for practicing snare rudiments. Drumsticks come in different weights and tip designs. For example, a 7N is a common jazz stick with a nylon tip, while a 5B is a heavier wood-tipped stick often used by beginners. Numbers on drumsticks range from 1 (heaviest) to 10 (lightest).

The meaning of numbers and letters on drumsticks can vary between manufacturers. Some sticks are not labeled with numbers and are instead called names like "Smooth Jazz" (usually a 7N or 9N) or "Speed Rock" (usually a 2B or 3B). Many famous drummers have their own stick designs, which are sold under their names.

Besides drumsticks, drummers use brushes and Rutes for soft music like jazz. Rarely, other beaters like cartwheel mallets (called "soft sticks" by drummers) are used. Rock drummers sometimes use the "wrong" end of a stick (the butt end) for a heavier sound. Some sticks are made without tips, having two butt ends.

A stick bag is the standard way to carry drumsticks to a live performance. It is often attached to the side of the floor tom, near the drummer’s right hand for right-handed players.

Drum muffles are tools that reduce the sound of a snare, bass, or tom drum. They help control unwanted sounds in recordings or live performances. Mufflers can be placed inside or outside the drum. Common types include cloth, gels, duct tape, and fitted rings. Some drummers use a cloth over the drumhead to muffle the sound.

To muffle a snare or tom, objects like cloth, wallets, or gels are placed on the edge of the drumhead. External clip-on muffles are also used. Internal mufflers are sometimes built into drums but are less effective because they reduce the initial sound.

For the bass drum, muffling is often done by adding soft items like pillows or sleeping bags inside the drum. A small hole in the resonant head can also help muffle the sound. The Evans EQ pad moves away from the drumhead when struck, reducing the sound without changing the tone.

Silencers are rubber covers that fit over drumheads or cymbals. They stop the stick from making contact with the drum, which reduces the sound. They are often used during practice.

Cymbals are usually muted by hand or with special tools like rubber rings or duct tape. Magnetic discs can also be used to mute cymbals.

Muffled drums are often used in funerals, like those for Queen Victoria and John F. Kennedy. Poets like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow have written about this tradition. Drums are also used for therapy and learning, helping students relax and learn rhythms.

Stick holders include bags attached to drums and angled sheaths that hold a single pair of sticks.

A sizzler is a metal chain placed over a cymbal to create a metallic sound when struck. It is a safer alternative to drilling holes in cymbals. Some sizzlers have arms that let the chain be moved on or off the cymbal.

Three types of drum covers are common:
– Drum bags made from strong cloth protect drums from rain but not from bumps. They are used by beginners.
– Mid-price hard cases offer more protection than cloth bags.
– Flight cases are used by professional drummers for touring.

The best protection for drums is a hard case with foam padding inside.

Microphones are used to record or amplify drum sounds. Some bands play acoustically without mics, while others use mics to control sound levels. Dynamic microphones are used for close-miking drums, and condenser microphones are used for overhead and room recordings. Microphones can be placed on drum rims or inside tom-toms without resonant heads.

Some drummers use electronic effects like noise gates to mute microphones when the sound is too low. This helps the sound engineer manage the overall volume. When all drums are miked, electronic effects like reverb can be added to the drum sound.

Drum manufacturers

Companies that use the American traditional format in their product catalogs include the following:

• ddrum
• Camco
• Drum Workshop
• Gretsch Drums
• Ludwig Drums
• Slingerland Drum Company
• Tama Drums

Companies that use European units for measuring diameter and depth include the following:

• Brady Drum Company
• Mapex Drums
• Meinl Percussion
• Pearl Drums
• Premier Percussion
• Rogers Drums
• Sonor
• Yamaha Drums