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When Were Drum Sets Invented
Practical Guide
Intro:
Percussive drums have been around for thousands of years, with the first ones being made from animal skins. The drum set as we know it was invented in the late 19th century, and it saw the most growth through the 20th century.
The drum kit hasn’t been around for all that long, so it’s very cool to see how much it has changed over the past hundred years. In this short guide, we’ll explain how it evolved.
Late 19th Century
At this time in history, snare drums and bass drums were being used separately for marching and orchestral bands. One of the first percussionists to think of using both together was a guy named Dee Dee Chandler. The drum set didn’t develop yet, but this was where the idea started.
1920s
The Ludwig company designed the first kick drum pedal in 1909, but the commercial use of drum kit setups only started around the 20s. Jazz was the style that began to flourish at the time, and almost every jazz group had a drummer with a small set to play.
As jazz got more and more popular, drum kits evolved into the standard setups that we see today.
1960s
The 60s was when rock ’n’ roll started, and drums started getting played in a very different way. Backbeats became a thing, and drummers started putting more emphasis on the bass drum and snare drum. So, drum kits started having designs where the bass and snare had a higher focus.
1970s
Music got even heavier in the 70s, and drummers started playing with large drum sets with booming tones. John Bonham was one of the most influential drummers of this time, and his giant acrylic drum kit set the scene.
Jazz was still being played, so you had two camps. The jazz drummers were still using minimalistic sets, while the rock drummers were using larger sets.
1980s
The 80s was when electronic drums hit the scene. Drum machines were very commonly used in popular music, and electronic pads made their way to drummers’ live stage setups.
This was the beginning of hybrid drum kit setups, and that’s pretty much where drum kits still are today. However, electronic gear is far superior in every area nowadays.
In the 21st century, you’ll find drum kits with all kinds of unique setups. The setups mostly depend on what kind of music a drummer will play.
However, the most widely used setup nowadays is a standard 4-piece kit. That includes one rack tom, one floor tom, a bass drum, and a snare drum.
FAQ:
How Have Drum Sets Changed Over Time?
One of the biggest changes that drum sets had was the introduction of the hi-hat. Drummers used to play on a small hi-hat called a lowboy.
It was just a pedal with the hi-hats close to the ground. When drummers started playing the hi-hat cymbals with their hands, drum companies decided to make taller hi-hat stands.
Is the Drum The Oldest Instrument?
Yes. Considering there are natural objects in nature that you can use as drums, drums have always been known as the oldest instruments there are. The earliest manufactured drums were made from animal skins and other materials to use as shells.
Where Did Drum Sets Originate?
Drum sets came to fruition in the 1920s when jazz music started. Drummers would combine all the drums together in a kit to play everything themselves, whereas the drummers before them only played single drums at a time.
Who Invented the Drum Set?
Dee Dee Chandler is a notable name in the early stages of drum sets. He was one of the first players to combine the snare drum and bass drum to play them at the same time.
Ludwig was the first company to make a bass drum pedal, so they played a huge role in the invention of the modern drum set as well.
Conclusion
Drums have an amazing history, and it’s so cool to know that the drum kit is only about a hundred years old. While the design of drum sets has stayed consistent for a while, you never know what the next big innovation will be. It may change how we play, and that’s very exciting!