Drum Set

Percussion INSTRUMENT

INSTRUMENT INFORMATION

The drum set, also known as the drum kit, is a collection of separate drums that are typically played together to create layered percussion sounds. A drum set can have many different components, depending on the style of music that it is being used for. A standard drum set contains a bass drum (also known as a kick drum), one or more tom-tom drums, a snare drum, a hi-hat cymbal that is made of two cymbals that open and close, and another cymbal such as a ride cymbal or a crash cymbal. The player uses drumsticks, or sometimes brushes, to strike or make sound on the tops (also known as the heads) of the drums and cymbals, and uses one foot to beat the largest drum in the set, the bass drum. The other foot can be used to play the hi-hat cymbal, using the pedal to open and close the two cymbals to create different sounds.

MEET THE INSTRUMENT

In the following video (8:27), Jared Soldiviero presents the drum set, and details how it is constructed and how the different instruments that make up the drum set make sound. This video can be enjoyed along with your children in class:

After watching the video, you can engage the children in discussion about what they remembered or noticed about the drum set. Children may share ideas about other instruments that it reminds them of, or other music or sounds that they have heard before. Some questions that may initiate a discussion:

• Do you remember some of the names of the different drums and cymbals that make up the drum set?

• What did Jared do to make sounds on the instruments?

• What is the different parts of the drum set made of?

• Does this remind you of any other instruments that you have seen before?

MUSIC

In the following videos, Jared introduces two different styles of playing with the drum set. You may choose to play these videos together in the same class session, or play them over several days to create multiple music experiences for the children.

With each experience, you can watch and listen along with the children. While listening, you may notice that the children move their bodies along with the music, and naturally show what they hear through bouncing, clapping, dancing, patting their legs, or almost any other movement that you can imagine! This is part of their music learning, and you can encourage them to move while they listen.

After you watch and listen to each video, depending on the age of the children, you may initiate a discussion about what they heard and saw. Children often feel more comfortable contributing if the questions are specific; abstract questions (such as “how did it make you feel?”) may be difficult for the young child to answer. Some questions that you may consider are:

• Was the music fast or slow? Loud or soft? Smooth or choppy? (etc.)

• Did this music remind you of other music or sounds that you’ve heard before?

• What kinds of movements did you make when you were listening?

ABOUT THE MUSICIAN