drum kit

Percussionist's complete set

A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments arranged for one player, standard in rock, jazz, and pop music.

The basic setup includes a bass drum played with a foot pedal, a snare drum, tom-toms, hi-hat cymbals, and crash and ride cymbals.

Also called a drum set.

components

snare

Device for catching prey

  • hi-hatPedal-controlled cymbal pair
  • tomsMale cats or turkeys
  • cymbalsClashing metal percussion

kick pedal · throne · sticks · shells · heads · hoops · tension rods · lugs · hardware · skins

rhythm

groove

Narrow cut or routine

  • beatRhythmic pulse or strike
  • tempoRate of musical performance
  • backbeatAccent on weak beats

syncopation · fill · swing · polyrhythm · time signature · downbeat · upbeat · measure · bar · pattern

technique

rudiments

Elementary first principles

chops · double stroke · single stroke · stick control · coordination · independence · tuning · muffling · cross-stick

ensemble

band

Group playing music together

rhythm section · backing · frontman · bassist · guitarist · jam session · lineup · gig · stage · live performance

materials

maple

Sap-yielding hardwood tree

  • birchPale deciduous hardwood
  • acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
  • poplarFast-growing deciduous timber

mahogany · brass · bronze · steel · chrome · wood · aluminum · fiberglass · walnut · oak

Categories
Opposites
instrumental complexity/ensemble

drum kithand drum

Percussion struck by palm

tambourine · triangle · shaker · woodblock · cowbell

melodic vs rhythmic function

drum kitpiano

Keyed percussion instrument

violin · guitar · flute · synthesizer · voice

volume and presence

drum kitacoustic guitar

Unplugged stringed instrument

ukulele · harmonica · recorder · thumb piano · kalimba

Family

kit, drum, drums, drumming, drummer, drumstick, snare drum, bass drum, drum set

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G