History of Drums

History of drums began with the emergence ofdeeply influenced Western Rock and Roll music
human civilization. Drum beating as it is popularlyWhen it was discovered in the history of drums
known has been associated with the birth ofthat one player could play two or more drums at
humankind. Drum and bass (commonlythe same time, people started placing groups of
abbreviated to DnB, drum n bass and drum anddrums together for one musician to play. The
bass) is a sort of electronic dance music alsoplayer not only played drums of similar types but
known as jungle. It is also called aalso imported from other cultures and around the
membranophone, means an instrument thatglobe. The early 1930s discovered a newly found
makes sound by striking a prolonged membranetrick. Musicians found out with the proper drum
with some type of object, typically a curved stick.placement and a lot of practice, a single player
Drums consist of a hollowed out piece (called thecould handle a set of drums, and an entire group
body), a covering extended over the end of theof drum players was not necessary anymore.
drum, and tuning keys or pegs which stiffens orThis leads to the origin of the Drum kit.
loosens the membrane to achieve different tones.Double drumming is an important development in
It is a common notion that the body of the drumthe history of drums. Double drumming is one
generates the sound; it is in fact the membranedrummer playing more than one drums. Cymbals
and its vibration that creates the sound whenand tom toms, invented in China were added to
struck.drum kits of the drummer, which was fast to
Following the history of drums, it is presumedaccommodate different set of drums. Cowbells,
origination of drums to be as early as in 6000 BC.wooden blocks, and chimes which were the
Mesopotamian excavations discovered smallpercussion additions were incorporated as well. In
cylindrical drums dated 3000 BC. Inside caves inthe flow of the history of drums, by the 1930s
Peru several wall markings were found whichthe typical drum kit had taken shape with the
show the use of drums in various aspects ofvarious instruments in its armory. The kit
communal life. The American Indians used gourdconsisted of a foot pedal and bass drum, snare, hi
and wooden constructed drums for their ritualshat cymbal, tom toms, and large hanging cymbals.
and ceremonies. Drums are not always used for1960s saw the rise of rock drummers, who
creating music only. It has also been used forbegan the development of drum kits that are the
communication purpose.standard today. More toms and cymbals, as well
In African tribal cultures (also in the regionalas the accumulation of another bass drum to
culture), drums bore an important part in the useboost speed were added. Electronic drums then
of rituals and religious ceremonies. The people ofcame into being with the intention of creating
different African tribes relied on the use of drumssounds that traditional drums were unable to
to express themselves and important messaginggenerate. The history of drums thus echoed the
was done through series of drum beats along thevariable sounds and rhythms of human
length of the jungle. African drums and drummersdevelopment.
provided an addictive and unique sound that