The drum set is composed of many parts, such as the bass drum, snare drum, tom-tom, floor tom, and various cymbals. Bass drums and kick pedals are two crucial parts of a drum set, and you will hardly find a drumset without them.
A bass drum is used to provide the “bottom” or low-pitched sound for a song, while a drum pedal supplies the method to strike the bass drum.
If you’re curious about what part does what, or if you’re just starting out on your quest for knowledge about percussion instruments, then this article is for you!
Parts of the Bass Drum
- Shell
- Front Hoop (Rim)
- Back Hoop (Rim)
- Resonate Head
- Batter Head
- Supporting Legs (Spurs)
- Lug
- Tension Rod (Screw)
- Claw Hook (Counter Hoop)
- Tom Mount Brackets
Shell:
The shell of the bass drum is the large cylindrical body typically made of wood like maple, birch, or mahogany, each offering distinct tonal qualities. Maple shells produce warm, balanced sounds, birch shells offer sharper attack and brighter tones, while mahogany gives deeper and richer low-end resonance.
Hoop (Rim):
The rim, or hoop, is the outside edge of a drum that holds the drum head in place. The front hoop is the one that faces the audience, and the back hoop is the one that is closest to the drummer.
It is common to use wood hoops on bass drums to emphasize the low range, although metal hoops still sound good and are more affordable. The toms and snare typically have metal rims.
Wooden hoops offer warmer tones and aesthetics, whereas metal hoops provide durability and precision.
Drumheads:
Bass drums typically have two heads:
- Batter Head: This is the head you strike, usually thicker to withstand the impact of the beater. It’s often clear or coated, affecting sound projection and warmth.
- Resonant Head: Located opposite the batter head, the resonant head significantly influences the drum’s tone and sustain. Some drummers opt for a port hole to manage internal pressure, facilitate microphone placement, and adjust the tonal response.
Vent Hole
A small hole located on the shell allows air to escape, facilitating resonance control and preventing excessive pressure buildup within the drum.
Supporting Legs (Spurs):
The legs are thin metal bars attached to the drum’s bottom. They stabilize the drum and can help keep it from sliding. Legs can be adjusted to change the angle at which a drummer strikes their bass drum.
Tip: Keeping the drum off the floor is beneficial since it allows for more tone from the drum and does not dampen it. That said, keep it level, not with a raised front.
Because the pedal holds the batter hoop in place, you bend the batter hoop if you raise the front of the drum.
If you raise only the front of the drum, the pedal will cause the front hoop to bend and warp.
The tension on one half of the head is greater than the other, causing it to be out of tune and raising the drum’s pitch—usually not what you want.
The easiest way to keep your bass drum level is to take your pedal and put it on the front hoop. Adjust the spurs until they rest on the floor when the pedal is locked in place. Then, reinstall the pedal on the batter hoop, and your drum is off the floor but level.
Lug:
The lugs are small metal tubes attached to the drum’s shell, which act as attachment points for the tension rods.
Tension Rod:
A bolt for placing and modifying the tension of the drum heads. The tension rod provides the way to tighten or loosen the bass drum head.
Claw Hook (Counter Hoop):
Hooks are metal rings that attach a drumhead to the drum shell.
Tension rods go through holes in the hooks and screw into the lugs. The tension rod places pressure on the hook as it is tightened. As you tighten the tension rods, the counter hoop pushes down on the outside of the drumhead and raises the pitch. Conversely, if you loosen the tension rods, the counter hoop relaxes on the drumhead and lowers the pitch.
Tom Mount Brackets:
Mounts are fixed to the drum shell and used for attaching tom-toms.
If you are interested in learning a little more, Yamaha has a series on parts of the drum. Here is the section on the bass drum: Click Here
Parts of the Drum Kick Pedal
- Footboard
- Drive Chain (or Belt)
- Cam
- Cam Shaft
- Pedal Spring
- Toe Clamp
- Beater
- Beater Head
- Floor Spikes (Spurs)
Footboard:
The flat surface you press with your foot. Footboards vary in length and texture, influencing control, speed, and comfort. Longer footboards enable advanced foot techniques, while textured surfaces enhance grip and responsiveness.
Drive Chain (or Belt/Strap):
Connecting the footboard to the cam, this system comes in three main types:
- Chain Drive: Commonly used, offering balanced responsiveness and durability.
- Direct Drive: Offers the quickest response, ideal for advanced techniques, providing precision and immediate pedal response.
- Strap Drive: Delivers smoother, quieter action, suitable for drummers preferring nuanced playing.
The drive chain is the mechanism that connects your footboard to your beater.
Chains are heavier, so they’ll have a heavier feel when playing. Because they transfer more energy, they are typically best for someone who wants a more powerful sound.
A belt, or strap, is a common alternative to a chain.
Straps are quieter and don’t rust or stretch. Cutting-edge materials have addressed the problems of stretching and breaking (such as old leather). Strap pedals play lighter and tend to have a “quicker” feel.
A single chain pedal is an excellent compromise between a lighter, more responsive strap and a heavier-driving double chain.
Cam:
The cam transfers footboard motion to the beater:
Offset or Asymmetrical Cam: Delivers accelerated beater action towards the drumhead, preferred by drummers seeking increased speed and power.
Round Cam: Provides consistent and smooth beater acceleration.
Camshaft:
The rod that rotates when you press down or release the pedal. It connects the footboard and the beater and links to the pedal spring.
Pedal Spring:
The spring holds tension on the pedal so that the pedal and beater return to their starting position when you release your foot. The tension of the spring can be adjusted to your preference.
Toe Clamp:
The toe clamp connected the pedal to the lip of the bass drum.
Beater:
The beater is the arm that extends out from the cam and holds the beater head.
Beater Head:
The beater head is the part that strikes the drum head. Beater heads are usually made of felt, but plastic is another cheaper alternative.
Beater heads come in various materials:
- Felt Beaters: Offer a warm, softer attack, ideal for jazz and softer rock.
- Plastic or Rubber Beaters: Provide sharper attacks and pronounced definition, suited to rock and heavier music styles.
- Wooden Beaters: Deliver loud, articulate strikes, favored in louder genres.
Spring Tension Adjustment
The spring mechanism controls the pedal’s response speed and rebound. Tighter springs enhance quick response, ideal for faster music genres, while looser springs offer slower, more controlled hits suitable for softer dynamics.
Floor Spikes (Spurs):
Floor spikes extend out from the bottom of the drum pedal to prevent the pedal from sliding as you play.
The spikes, or spurs, are adjustable such that you can make it, so they don’t extend out from the bottom of the pedal. This is useful when you don’t want the spikes to scratch the floor.
If you are interested in learning a little more about drum pedals, Yamaha has another section on the parts of the drum. Here is the section on foot pedals: Click Here
How Bass Drums and Pedals Work Together: The Science of Impact
Understanding the individual components is only part of the picture. This section explains how the bass drum and pedal function as a cohesive system to produce powerful, resonant sound.
The Physics Behind the Sound
- Resonance and Vibration:
When the beater strikes the batter head, the force causes the drum heads and shell to vibrate. These vibrations create sound waves that resonate within the shell and radiate outward. The interplay between the batter and resonant heads enhances the depth and sustain of the bass drum’s tone. - Energy Transfer Mechanisms:
The drum pedal is engineered to efficiently convert the kinetic energy of a foot strike into a controlled, impactful hit. Every component—from the footboard to the spring—works in unison to maximize the transfer of energy, ensuring that the bass drum responds dynamically to the drummer’s input.
Tuning and Adjustments for Optimal Performance
- Setting Up Your Bass Drum:
Tuning both the batter and resonant heads is crucial. Even slight adjustments in tension can significantly alter the drum’s tonal balance. Experimentation is key: use a tuning key to adjust the tension rods incrementally until the desired sound is achieved. - Pedal Adjustments:
Fine-tuning your drum pedal involves adjusting the spring tension, beater angle, and footboard positioning. These adjustments allow you to personalize the feel and responsiveness of your pedal, which is essential for adapting to different musical styles and performance environments.