19th Century
Drum sets first appeared in the late 1800s due to the rising number of ensembles, including marching and military bands. As these ensembles typically played in parades, there was plenty of space for a large percussion section to roam about, and separate percussionists were assigned to drums and cymbals. Indoor concerts, on the other hand, had obvious physical constraints and therefore, percussionists often had to do double duty, and bands began arranging a number of different drums onstage for a single person to play simultaneously
The bass drum, snare drum, cymbals and other percussion instruments were then played by hand. Circa 1890, experimentation with foot pedals began. Liberating the hands for the first time, this evolution saw the bass drum played (first standing) with the foot of a percussionist.
The bass drum, snare drum, cymbals and other percussion instruments were then played by hand. Circa 1890, experimentation with foot pedals began. Liberating the hands for the first time, this evolution saw the bass drum played (first standing) with the foot of a percussionist.
20th Century
21th Century
Famous drum players throughout time
Art Blakey, Max Roach, John Bonham, Buddy Rich, Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, Phil Collins, Gene Krupa, Neil Peart, Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, Chad Smith, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Frank Zappa, Bernard Purdie, Charlie WattsElvin Jones, Sheila E, Peter Gabriel, Tony Williams, Max Weinberg, Roy Haynes, Dennis Chambers, Harvey Mason, Clyde Stubblefield and Lars Ulrich.