The history of the modern drum set is a fascinating journey that spans centuries, evolving from humble beginnings as individual percussion instruments to the complex, multi-faceted setup we see today. The drum set, also known as the jazz drum or the kit, is a cornerstone of modern popular music genres such as jazz, rock, and funk. But who exactly invented the modern drum set, and how did it evolve into the instrument we know and love?
Early Percussion Instruments
The roots of the drum set can be traced back to early percussion instruments used in military bands and orchestras. These instruments, such as the bass drum, snare drum, and various cymbals, were initially played by separate percussionists. In the 1840s, percussionists began experimenting with foot pedals to allow them to play multiple instruments, but these devices did not become widely available until the next few decades.
The Development of Combined Drum Sets
By the 1860s, percussionists started combining multiple drums into a single setup. The bass drum, snare drum, and various cymbals were all played with handsticks, and drummers in musical theater had to make do with limited budgets and space constraints. Innovations in technology and equipment allowed drum sets to cover the roles of multiple percussionists, promoting the creation of the drum set.
The term “trap set” was used to describe early drum sets, and drummers were referred to as “trap drummers” from the late 1800s to the 1930s. In the 1870s, drummers began using suspended pedals, although many preferred to play multiple drums without pedals. Patents were filed for various pedal systems, such as the one by Edward “Dee Dee” Chandler, a New Orleans drummer, in 1904 or 1905. This led to the bass drum being played with a foot by a standing percussionist, hence the name “kick drum” or “bass drum.”
Ludwig & Ludwig Co., founded by Ludwig, Sr., and his brother Theobald Ludwig in 1909, obtained the first commercially successful bass drum pedal system patent. In 1912, drummers replaced drumsticks with wire brushes and later metal fly swatters because the loud sound of drumsticks overwhelmed other instruments. By the time of the First World War, drum sets typically featured military-style bass drums with many percussion instruments suspended above and around them.
The Birth of the Modern Drum Set
The modern drum set emerged during the vaudeville era of New Orleans in the 1920s. Drummers like Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton, and Ray Bauduc adopted the concept of march rhythms, combining the bass drum, snare drum, and “trap” (a term used to refer to percussion instruments associated with immigrant groups, including hi-hat cymbals) with cowbells and wooden blocks. They began to combine these elements with ragtime, which had been popular for decades, creating a method that evolved into jazz drumming.
Budget constraints and space considerations in musical theater orchestras pressured bandleaders to have percussionists play more parts. Metal stands were developed to hold Chinese tom-toms, with swing arms for placing the snare drum and cymbals. The top of the stand had a “trap” tray for items like whistles, horns, and cowbells. These setups were called “trap kits.” The hi-hat stand was invented around 1926.
Baby Dodds, who played with Louis Armstrong on a riverboat on the Mississippi River in 1918, modified the marching setup by replacing wooden blocks with drum edges, hitting cymbals with sticks (uncommon at the time), and adding a top cymbal to create the combination hi-hat we see today. William Ludwig, after observing Dodds’ drumming, developed the early low-profile hi-hat. Dodds asked Ludwig to raise the new hi-hat nine inches for easier playing, creating the modern hi-hat.
Dodds was one of the first drummers to play broken triplet beats, which became the standard rhythm for modern hi-hat playing. He also popularized the use of Chinese cymbals. In the 1920s, freelance drummers were hired to play in shows, concerts, theaters, and clubs, supporting dancers and musicians of various genres. Some drummers worked as sound effects artists, providing rhythm and percussive sounds for silent films accompanied by orchestras.
The Evolution and Innovation of Drum Brands
One notable brand in the evolution of the drum set is Rogers Drums. Founded in 1849 by Joseph Rogers in New York, the company initially manufactured cowhide drumheads and later expanded with a second leather factory in New Jersey run by his son, Joseph Rogers Jr. In 1950, the first Rogers drum was made by grandson Cleveland Rogers.
Rogers Drums faced several ownership changes and periods of decline before its eventual resurgence. In 1955, Cleveland Rogers sold the company to dealer Henry Grossman and moved it to Covington, Ohio. With Grossman’s integration skills, inventor Joe Thompson, and marketing manager Ben Strauss, Rogers became a pioneering innovator in the percussion field by 1956.
From 1966 to 2006, Rogers experienced a golden era but was subsequently sold to several large musical instrument conglomerates. Successors were only interested in its numerous patents that revolutionized drum specifications. The brand’s quality declined, and cheap imitations flooded the market until it disappeared, with only early adherents preserving good-quality drums.
In 2017, new owners determined to revive Rogers’ classic legacy and its iconic quality and products. They began by resurrecting the DYNA-SONIC snare drum. In 2018, they redesigned the classic Swivo-Matic bass drum pedal, creating the new Dyno-Matic pedal, preserving the original ingenuity while enhancing modern quality. Rogers continues to innovate,复刻classic hardware and drum sets, earning praise from drum enthusiasts and collectors.
Components of the Modern Drum Set
The modern drum set comprises various components, each contributing to its rich sound and versatility:
Bass Drum (Kick Drum): Played with the right foot, the bass drum resides in the low pitch range, often defining the tempo and speed of a piece.
Snare Drum: Also known as the side drum, the snare drum has no fixed pitch but a higher frequency than the bass drum. Its sound is bright and crisp, with a unique rattle effect from metal wires.
Tom-Toms: Consisting of several drums of varying sizes, tom-toms cover low, mid, and high pitch ranges. Typically ranging from 8 to 16 inches, larger toms produce lower sounds, while smaller ones produce higher sounds. They add color and richness to performances.
Hi-Hat: Composed of two cymbals, the hi-hat’s opening and closing are controlled by the left foot, creating a range of sounds to complement the bass drum and stabilize the rhythm.
Crash Cymbal: Belonging to the high pitch range, crash cymbals are hit forcefully at the beginning, end, or during specific phrases of a piece to enhance expression and infectiousness.
The Role of the Drum Set in Modern Music
The drum set plays a crucial role in modern music, supporting various genres such as rock, jazz, blues, and funk. Drummers must collaborate effectively with other musicians, controlling the drum’s sound, dynamics, and tempo. The drum set not only stabilizes the rhythm but also enriches and renders the musical image, showcasing individuality.
In electronic bands, the drum set’s primary function is to stabilize the rhythm, forming a perfect complement with other musicians. It supports the overall musical framework, shaping, rendering, highlighting, and enriching the musical image. The drum set excels in rhythm, speed, and dynamics compared to other instruments.
Drum sets can solo, duet, ensemble, accompany, and add decorative notes, transitions, and emphasis. They are often used to enhance prominent phrases in the introduction and middle sections of pieces or insert decorative notes to connect phrases and bars, making compositions more diverse. Drum sets can also create a perfect conclusion, their powerful accents bursting with immense infectiousness.
Conclusion
The modern drum set is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of countless musicians, inventors, and manufacturers over centuries. From its humble beginnings as individual percussion instruments to the complex, multi-faceted setup we see today, the drum set has evolved into a cornerstone of modern popular music. Brands like Rogers Drums have played pivotal roles in this evolution, innovating and preserving the legacy of drumming.
