Drum Set
You must have heard drum rolls or at least their mention before an important announcement or a celebrity appearance, well, you couldn’t have had that if it weren’t for drum kits.
But drum sets are far more capable than just that, they are the backbone of almost every musical genre. From rock and jazz to pop and metal, drums can be found everywhere!
Not only that, research-backed studies have also linked drumming to physical and mental well-being as well as longevity in human beings.
So, a drum set will not only make you look cool but also help you live a healthier and happier life.
Now let’s learn more about this amazing instrument,
Components of a drum set
There are multiple different ways to set up a drum kit, however, the most commonly found configurations of drums are the 3 Piece and 5-piece drum sets.
These sets comprise (of a combination) of the following components:
Kick Drum a.k.a Bass Drum:
The heartbeat of the kit, the kick drum delivers powerful low-end thumps.
This is usually the big drum placed in the middle that offers the lowest-pitched beats in the drum set.
And as the name suggests, it is played with a foot pedal.
Snare Drum:
The snare drum is a versatile and central component of a drum kit.
It is the shallow, cylindrical drum that comes with a set of stretched metal wires (snares) attached to its bottom head.
Its distinctive sound comes from these stretched wires underneath as when the drum is struck, these snares vibrate against the bottom head to produce a buzzling or rattling sound.
Tom-Toms:
The Toms are cylindrical drums that lack snares and they come in various sizes.
These drums are arranged in ascending order of pitch and are often used to play the ‘fills’, which are rhythmic passages connecting two segments of a song.
A drum kit may include one or more toms. The more the toms, the more creative the drummer can get in creating rich rhythmic textures in their performances.
Cymbals:
Cymbals are the bronze-colored, disk-like metallic percussion instruments that create the shimmering and crashing sounds in a drum kit. These are the main types:
Hi-hat Cymbals:
Comprising two cymbals mounted on a stand, hi-hats can be opened or closed using a foot pedal. They produce a range of sounds, from tight, sharp 'chicks' to sustained sizzles.
Crash Cymbal:
The crash cymbal is known for its explosive and immediate sound. It's often used for dramatic accents and to mark transitions in a musical piece.
Ride Cymbal:
Providing a steady and controlled sound, the ride cymbal is struck rhythmically to maintain a continuous beat. It adds a consistent element to the drum kit.
Hardware:
Behind the scenes, hardware includes the stands, pedals, and mounts holding everything together. They’re the unsung heroes ensuring the show goes on seamlessly.
And lastly, we have the,
Throne:
Where you, the king, the drummer shall sit while you mesmerize your audience with your beats.
Together, all these components form a percussive powerhouse- the drum set!
Acoustic drum set vs electric drum set
Drums, traditionally, are acoustic drums made from wooden shells that are self-amplifying.
Whereas, electronic drums are rubber pads or mesh heads that electronically amplify and produce beats with the help of a device called the sound module.
So, in the end, the choice is yours. Both type of drum sets has their respective pros and cons and it all comes down to a matter of individual preferences.
That said, we recommend an acoustic drum set for beginners because a decent electronic set might cost you a fortune compared to its acoustic counterpart.
And while the electronic drum kits might be more portable and better for silent home practicing, they don’t quite substitute the feeling of playing a traditional acoustic drum.
How much should a drum set cost?
An entry-level 3-piece Drum set can cost you anywhere between 10,000 rupees to 30,000 rupees and the numbers can go as high as 60,000.
However, a 5-piece complete Drum set can easily set you back by 30,000 rupees at the lower-end, with prices going up to 90,000 or more.
