DRUMS

          What does a drumset consist of??

In the following is a clarifying table that answers this very important question! On the left column you'll find a simple explanation of each part and on the right column next to it a thumbnail illustrating this part.

In general, the drums is composed of four main components:

  1. the drums themselves: each drum has its own special type, sound and size or radius (snare drum, small and big tam-tam drums, large or floor drum, bass drum). Each drum must be covered by a drumhead (that might be sold separately and need to be changed regularly). The sticks hit these drums heads to give the appropriate sound (or sometimes noise!!).
  2. the Cymbals: The most two essential cymbals are the hi-hat and the ride cymbal. Usually, professional drumsets include an enormous variety of cymbals from tiny to large ones.
  3. the pedals: what's cool about drums is that it lets you use both your hands (by holding the sticks of course) and feet (by treading on a pedal) in playing. Usually, there are two pedals: one is fixed on the bass drum and gives a  bass beat while the other comes with the hi-hat stand and helps in opening and closing the hi-hat cymbal which is naturally open.
  4. the stands: yeah.. this is useless in making any music but they form the glue of the drums to the ground. they are in fact the infrastructure that holds this instrument all together. they're those metallic rigid tubes.

 

 The Snare Drum:

it is the main played drum in most rhythms. it is called this way (snare as in ambush) because it has a metallic switch between two different sounds: the first sounds similar to the other drum pieces and the second gives a very special sound.

The Bass Drum:

Wait a second, this drum might be beaten more often than snare. (i guess someone should make a statistical survey to give the actual results). In brief, it plays a bass sound that's usually accompanied by the Bass-Guitar.

 

The Twin Tam-Tams:

As you can see, the right tam-tam is biggest than the left. Usually, played in fills and rolls. I love the sound of the big tam-tam. The sheet with little  strawberries looks cute !!! These two drum are usually installed on top of the bass drum using thick metallic bars.

The Large/Floor Drum:

This drum has four legs. The "Strawberries" are essential for making it less noisy!! NOTE: Each of these unique drums have different musical note in the F (FA) scale. I can't remember them actually!! The Hi-Hat are marked usually by "x" with special marks indicating whether it is open or closed, hi-hat or crash hit.

The Hi-Hat Cymbal:

its stand has a pedal for the left foot to close and open the cymbal. Usually, when playing a typical rhythms on a hi-hat it is closed and it gives a special sound when beaten (by the sticks) and opened (by releasing the pedal) simultaneously.

The Ride Cymbal:

This cymbal is undoubtedly bigger than the other two cymbals. Best suited for Blues Music, Heavy Metal....etc... and when things get rockin' !!

The Crash Cymbal:

This cymbal is usually used to end rolls or fills, and to terminate a complete rhythm. Sometimes, when a lot of crash hits are used it signifies the high mood of the drummer!

The Brushes:

These cool brushes are used in Jazz-Music or more generally in soft music. Really Special !!

 

Al Darabukka (Dourbakka)

A hand drum made by Arab Musicians. It is made from earthen materials (earthenware, pottery) and wrapped by special kind of leather from the sides. Its head is beaten by fingers or the lower part of the palm (of the hand). It is bottomless. Professional Darabukkists play some amazing stuff!! It is a creative instrument !

My Bass-Guitar and Amplifier:

Finally, here is my bass guitar and amplifier (on top of is my little electric tuner). I don't play so good. But believe me "Slapping" gives you the most wonderful feeling in playing Bass.

 

       

 

page last updated: 20/June/2005