The Drums

A drum kit is a set of drums that one drummer plays at the same time. It has different drums and shiny cymbals. Drummers hit the drums with sticks and step on pedals. Drums keep the beat in many kinds of music.

Parts of a Drum Kit

A drum kit has several parts. The bass drum is the biggest drum and sits on the floor. The snare drum makes a sharp sound. The tom-toms are the round drums you hit with sticks. Cymbals are metal plates that crash or ring when you hit them.

How Drummers Play

A drummer uses both hands and both feet at the same time. The hands hold sticks to hit the drums and cymbals. One foot steps on a pedal for the bass drum. The other foot works another pedal for a cymbal called the hi-hat. It takes lots of practice.

Fun Facts

• The drum kit was invented around 1900 so one person could play many drums.
• The biggest drum kit ever had over 800 pieces.
• Drumming is great exercise and burns lots of calories.

Did You Know?

Drums are one of the oldest instruments in the world, and people have been playing them for thousands of years.