There are literally hundreds of types of drums and percussion instruments out there. Here are some of the most basic:
DRUM SET - This is the standard thing you see in most rock, jazz, and blues
bands. It consists of various drums and cymbals. Usually included are:
SNARE DRUM - A drum (usually 14 inches in diameter, though this can change)
that has wires or strings across the bottom head, creating a slight
buzzing noise. This is the drum that, in most modern music, is hit on
beats 2 and 4. There are many variations of the snare drum, including
the marching snare (very deep drum, worn on a harness in marching
bands), the piccolo snare (a very shallow drum with a higher tone than a
normal snare), and the "mini-snare," a snare drum that is only about 4
to 8 inches in diameter, and is used for very high pitched hits, as you
often hear in hip-hop.
BASS DRUM - A drum (usually 20-22 inches in
diameter, though this can change) that is really big and deep. On a drum
set, it's often on the floor, and played using a pedal with a beater on
it. You step on the pedal, and the beater hits the head.
TOM TOM (or
just Tom) - Usually there are a few per drum set, the most common
number being three. Some are smaller, and placed above the bass drum.
Others are deeper, and sit on the floor, lined up with the snare drum.
These are melodic drums, often played together. When a drummer plays a
"fill," he usually uses his toms.
The other main part of the drum set is cymbals. These include:
RIDE CYMBAL: A large (often 20 to 22 inches) cymbal that creates a clear,
sharp tone, usually that fades quickly. This is used to "ride" on, or
keep the beat, during certain passages of music.
CRASH CYMBAL:
Cymbals of varying sizes (often 14, 15, 16, and 18 inches) that are hit
to create a quick "crashing" sound, and fade out at varying degrees.
These are used to augment accents in music.
SPLASH CYMBAL: Similar to
a crash, only smaller (often 8 and 10 inches), with a softer sound than
a crash. They usually decay almost immediately, making a quick
splashing sound and the fading.
CHINA BOY: A medium-sized cymbal
(often 18 and 19 inches), with a curved lip, that is usually played
upside-down. These often sound similar to hitting a metal trash can lid,
and are used for harsh accents in music.
HI HATS: A pair of cymbals
played one on top of the other (the bottom one is upside down). Most
often, they are controlled by a foot pedal, which the drummer uses in a
variety of ways to make the hi hats sound different.
Beyond the kit, there are also hand drums, such as:
BONGOS
- Two drums, usually connected, that are played with the hands. The
most common sizes are 8 inches and 10 inches. They are usually held on
the lap, or between the knees, though they may be placed on stands. They
were originally used in Cuba, but have been made very popular in
American music as well.
CONGAS - Long, tube-like drums that are
played with the hands. The most common head sizes are 13 and 14 inches,
and they are often played in pairs, though it is not uncommon to see as
many as 4 congas being played at once. These are also from Cuba, and
have been made popular in American music, and Latin music. You
frequently see a pair of congas with a pair of bongos on a stand over
them, so that you have four drums with unique tones to play as one
"set."
DJEMBE - Pronounced "JEM bay." This is a drum that has a bowl
shape to the top of it, and a thin bottom, and is played with the hands.
Originally from Africa, this type of drum is very popular in
coffeehouses, because it gets a wide-birth of tones...you can get a low
bass sound by hitting the center of the drum, and medium tone by hitting
towards the rim, and a high sound by slapping the rim. You can also
bend the head to change the pitch while playing. Djembes have become
very popular in small church praise and worship bands, and are used
frequently in popular music, as well.
CAJON - A Peruvian instrument
that, when translated, is called "the box." This is a wooden drum that
is played with the hands while the drummer sits on the box, playing
between his or her legs. The cajon can have snares, similar to the snare
drum. This drum is often considered the most like a full drum set in
the amount of sounds available on it, especially when it's sound is
amplified. By hitting towards the center of the drum, you can create a
bass sound. The top part can sound like a snare, ton, or conga,
depending on how you hit it. The corners of the wooden front of the drum
are often left loose, so that you can slap them to create a sharp,
rim-shot like effect.
TABLA - An pair of Indian drums that create
high to medium pitches, and sound almost human in their tones.
Traditionally, tabla players need to learn to sing their various beats
before being allowed to play them on the drums. These are used in Indian
music, and are the original percussion instrument to bring the "ragga"
form of playing to modern percussion.
There are other types of drums
and percussion instruments, as well. Many have their own special device
used to strike them. These include:
TYMPANI (or TIMPANI) - A group of
drums (usually two to four) that have pedals that allow the drummer to
change their pitch. Usually, tympani parts are written with very
specific pitches in mind, and are most often used in orchestral music,
though they can be used in modern music such as rock (Roy Orbison's
"Anything You Want"). Tympani are usually played with mallets that are
covered in felt or a similar soft material.
TRIANGLE - A metallic
instrument bent into the shape of a triangle (shocker) with one corner
left cut out. This is struck with a metallic beater to create a sharp,
short ringing sound. This is frequently used in classical music and
musicals.
TAMBOURINE - A wooden or plastic circle, with or without a
drum head, that has metal discs that create a "jingle jangle" sound when
struck with the hand, or shaken by the hand. Frequently used in rock
and disco music, as well as classical and musicals.
SHAKER - A short
tube, made of plastic, metal, or wood, with beads inside of it. These
are shaken to create a beat. They are used in latin and some rock music,
often in place of the hi hat in softer songs. There is a famous
variation known as "the egg," which is a shaker in the shape of an egg,
with very fine beads inside. Often, two eggs are held in the hand and
played simultaneously.
There are many other types of drums and
percussion instruments, but hopefully this guide helps you get started
with what you are looking for!
Source: wiki.answers.com
No comments:
Post a Comment