When I start thinking about what to write about I really didnt know exactly what to write about. Suddenly and idea came to my head, it was the idea of writing about my favorite instrument: the drums.
It comes in all shapes and sizes. In the beginning it was small and simple in construction. Simply a piece of hide stretched over the end of a hollow log. Sticks or bones were used as beaters. It was found that by having drums of differing sizes, it was possible then to create a wide variety of tonal colours and contrast
Out of all the modern day instruments, none has a longer history than the drum. Drums are found throughout the world, in practically every culture, and are known to have existed since at least 6000 bc. Almost everywhere they have strong ceremonial, sacred, or symbolic associations.
In much of Africa certain drums symbolize and protect tribal royalty and are often housed in sacred dwellings. In fact you can say the drum was actually the first form of telephone…
Tribes, with use of the drum would communicate with other tribes often miles away. Drums frequently were used for signaling of meeting, dangers, etc….
The talking drums of Africa imitate the pitch patterns of language and transmit messages over many miles.
In Europe, The Timpani were associated with royalty as late as the 17th century. Throughout Central Asia and Siberia and among some Native American tribes of North America, shallow frame drums with one or two heads serve as ritual instruments for shamans.
What does the future hold for drum sets? No one can be sure. However, with the creation of more and more technology, we can be sure that the sounds will evolve even more. A combination of new sounds and traditional will always be found. And the limit for drum set creation will simply be the imagination of the musicians.
Music has been part of human life for as long as anyone can trace. Early civilizations of humans used music as a way to communicate and express feelings. Out of all of the musical instruments that we see in our society today and use on a regular basis, there is one instrument that stands out in musical history, the drum.
The history of drums is interesting and unique. When you examine this instrument historically, you will find that drums have had a place in almost all cultures around the globe. Variations of drums and drum sets occurred in many different cultures, the standard variety of a drum consisted simply of a hollowed out log or gourd with a piece of skin stretched taunt. Different sizes of gourds and logs created different sounds and beats.
In the past, as drums evolved and drum kits developed, new companies were formed and products were fine-tuned and made better. The Ludwig Drum Company is known as one of the most influential and historical drum companies of our time.
The Ludwig drum company was started by a young man who enjoyed playing the drums. He could not find a bass pedal that would hold up to his intense drumming style. He shopped around everywhere and could not find an appropriate pedal, so he fashioned one out of wood. The pedal was superior to anything else on the market.
But modern technology has helped to “improve the sound” of the instrument allowing for faster, cleaner and more accurate beating. This of course still requires the student to apply great dedication and practise to perfect stick control, rhythm, expression and the subtle use of dynamics. For some, with good instruction, the road may be easier, but never the less even the most gifted must travel the same pathway to success.
It all must be a rhythmic accompaniment to enhance the melody
What does the future hold for drum sets? No one can be sure. However, with the creation of more and more technology, we can be sure that the sounds will evolve even more. A combination of new sounds and traditional will always be found. And the limit for drum set creation will simply be the imagination of the musicians.
In conclusion, no really knows what will happen with the drums. I only know that drums are one of my favorite instruments and I enjoyed playing it.
