Bass drum
A large drum producing low, booming tones across many genres.
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The bass drum is a large percussion instrument that produces a low note of definite or indefinite pitch. Typically cylindrical with a diameter greater than its depth, it has struck heads at both ends, made of calfskin or plastic, with adjustable tension via threaded taps or strings. Three major types are distinguished: the orchestral or concert bass drum (the largest drum of the orchestra), the kick drum (associated with a drum kit and struck with a pedal beater), and the pitched bass drum (used in marching bands and drum corps, tuned to a specific pitch and played in sets of three to six). The bass drum is used to mark or keep time in many forms of music, producing a low, boom sound when struck.
Background
The earliest known predecessor to the bass drum was the Turkish davul, a cylindrical drum with two thin heads stretched over hoops attached to a narrow shell. Played by striking the right side with a large wooden stick and the left with a rod, the davul produced a deeper sound than other drums.
It was used extensively in war and combat by Ottoman Janissaries in the 18th century, whose military bands featured davul, cymbal, and kettle drum players. Davuls were carried with thick straps hung at the breast, and similar drums were braced with cords in Egypt for military movements. Beyond military use, davuls were central to Turkish folk dances and were performed in groups called davul-zurnas.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Bass drum (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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