In the late nineteenth century, drummers in New Orleans and elsewhere in America were starting to adapt drums of traditional military style marching bands for use on stage, so that several drums could be played by one player. The style of playing was also developing, which was in effect, a “collective improvisation” that came to be known as jazz.
By the early 20th century, the modern drum set was evolving, and in 1909 William F Ludwig, an instrument maker, produced one of the first practical drum pedals. This allowed the bass to be played with the foot while freeing the player’s hands to play the snare drum and other instruments.
By 1920, New Orleans drummers had drum sets consisting of a bass drum with attached cymbal, snare drum, tom-tom, woodblock, cowbells and small Chinese cymbals, and the 1930’s saw a further development to include additional tom-toms and larger cymbals, and the evolution continued into the 1940’s, with larger tom-toms, “floor” toms, and sturdier, drum-mounted cymbal stands.
In the 1950’s new plastic drumheads were developed replacing the weather sensitive calf skins that had been used previously.
Yet later, a second bass drum was added, and as the rock and roll era dawned, the drummers moved towards larger, deeper and heavier drums to compete with, and support the very loud, amplified guitar sounds.
By the early 20th century, the modern drum set was evolving, and in 1909 William F Ludwig, an instrument maker, produced one of the first practical drum pedals. This allowed the bass to be played with the foot while freeing the player’s hands to play the snare drum and other instruments.
By 1920, New Orleans drummers had drum sets consisting of a bass drum with attached cymbal, snare drum, tom-tom, woodblock, cowbells and small Chinese cymbals, and the 1930’s saw a further development to include additional tom-toms and larger cymbals, and the evolution continued into the 1940’s, with larger tom-toms, “floor” toms, and sturdier, drum-mounted cymbal stands.
In the 1950’s new plastic drumheads were developed replacing the weather sensitive calf skins that had been used previously.
Yet later, a second bass drum was added, and as the rock and roll era dawned, the drummers moved towards larger, deeper and heavier drums to compete with, and support the very loud, amplified guitar sounds.