Are you ready to rock?! Welcome to drumsetworkouts.com, your one-stop
headquarters for all things percussive. We offer a wide variety
of drums and percussion instruments, as well as an extensive informational
section (see our learning center). Whether you’re a beginner
with some basic questions, or a seasoned professional needing top
quality gear, our site is dedicated to serving your needs.
The percussion family is probably the most extensive and varied
of all musical instruments. They are by far the oldest of instruments,
dating back to before the dawn of civilization. Many of these instruments
today utilize the same basic principles and design that they did
thousands of years ago.
Drums, from the most crude and rudimentary to the high-tech, all
operate in the same manner. A thin membrane (traditionally animal
hide) is stretched tightly over a hollow cylinder and striking the
membrane produces vibrations that are amplified by the cylinder,
producing audible sound. Varying the size of the cylinder alters
the pitch; lower pitches being created by larger drums and higher
pitches by the smaller variations.
Cymbals are another ancient form of percussion instrument. Originally
believed to be of Asian descent, cymbals have been found amongst
the remains of many ancient civilizations including China, Egypt
and Greece. Modern cymbals are still based on the same principles,
but the manufacturing process is a bit more updated. What was formerly
a very hands-on, labor intensive manufacturing process has been
made more efficient through the use of machines. These machines
not only work to much higher tolerances than can be achieved by
hand, but they also produce a very consistent product.
Drum sets can be considered any assemblage of percussion instruments
that are set up to be played by one person. The traditionally recognized
drum set, or trap kit as they’re sometimes called, usually
consists of a bass drum, snare drum, a rack tom, floor tom, a set
of high-hats and a cymbal or two. However, depending on the music
being performed, these kits can be extremely varied. Fusion for
instance, often combines a trap kit with a number of other percussion
instruments, such as wood blocks, cowbells, roto-toms and a wide
range of cymbals.
Drum accessories are often required in order to effectively play
a drum kit. Drum heads, drumsticks, and hardware including drum
stands and pedals are all essential pieces of equipment for the
drummer.
Not all drum equipment has ancient origins. The late 20th century
introduced the world to electronic drum sets and the drum machine.
Both of these instruments have had a dramatic impact on the course
of popular music. Once criticized by “real” musicians
as being a cheap imitation and an overall blight on music in general,
they have gained a much larger degree of acceptance over the last
twenty years. They are the staple rhythm instrument for hip-hop
and electronica artists, but are now commonly used by many “acoustic”
drummers as well.
The world of drumming is constantly expanding. Modern technical
innovations have given rise to new sonic possibilities for percussionists
of all persuasions. High-tech electronics have helped to create
a whole array of non-acoustic sound opportunities, as well as wholly
new musical genres. Whatever the future of popular music may hold,
drummers are sure to be front and center.