The Evolution of Drum Kits: From Classic Setups to Modern Innovations

The drum kit has evolved over the years, with the emergence of more technology, refinements, and convenience in creating rhythms and beats. Drums and variations of drumming have been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until the last hundred years or so that there has been an uptick in the advances for drums.

The evolution of drum kits is apparent, from the initial conception of the bass drum pedal to the rise of music genres and technological upgrades. Here is a breakdown of how drum kits evolved from classic setups to modern innovations.

The Invention of the Drum Kit

Drum kits weren’t a thing in the early days of music. Multiple people on a stage had to perform different parts of the drumming, including bass, snare, cymbals, and other percussion elements. Small theater productions were popular in the 1840s, and it wasn’t cost-effective to have so many people playing multiple percussion instruments.

The pedal went automatically back to its starting rest position, making consistency in how a person would strike the drum easier. Soon after, Ludwig put forth the first-ever production drum set.

The first-ever drum kit came from New Orleans’s native Dee Dee Chandler, who fixed a crude pedal to his bass drum to free up his hands on the snare and toms. He used a rope and pulley system attached to a hammer-like device; he would kick the bottom of the pulley, and it would hit the bass drum. It was complex and challenging to control, but he has been coined as the first modern kit drummer.

Direct-drive bass drum pedals were invented to allow just one person to play two drums simultaneously, made up of a snare and bass drum. William F. and Theobald Ludwig, two brothers, invented the bass drum pedal in 1909, founding the Ludwig & Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago. 

Jazz and Blues in the 1930s

The drum kit made its next advancement due to the popularity of blues and jazz music, so drummers needed more than a single kick pedal. A spring-loaded hinge connected to two cymbals became the first make of the modern “hi-hat,” giving the credit to Walberg and Auge.

Early jazz musicians in New Orleans were often former military personnel, and drummers were crucial to communication on the battlefield. Street bands, still a popular commodity in the city’s music scene today, had many musicians playing percussion.

However, for a stage show, it became apparent that the number of musicians needed to be limited.

The Modern Drum Kit

The more modern drum kit was developed with parts across various countries. Tom-Tom drums came from China and Asia, cymbals from the Middle East, bass and snare from Europe, and other percussion instruments from Africa and the Caribbean.

Drum manufacturers later realized that making snared from plywood instead of the previous maple or walnut was more economical. From the 30s to the 60s, the drum kit evolved so that snare drums could be held more suspended from three points of pressure around the hoop.

The Gene Krupa kit was a 4-piece kit with top and bottom-headed tom drums. Krupa wanted a more stripped-down version of a drum set, which doesn’t look very different from drum sets used today. He’s considered the father of the modern drum kit.

Drum Kits Today

The evolution of drums has evolved even more since having a drum set. Electronic rhythm boxes were machines meant to accompany a pianist or guitarist, like a metronome to help keep time. They had loops with preset rhythms that couldn’t be altered.

However, by the 1970s, these drum machines had significantly influenced popular music. Marvin Gaye's “Sexual Healing” was one of the first songs in the United States to feature a drum machine. Still, artists like Robin Gibbs, Pink Floyd, Sly and the Family Stone experimented with drum machines and electronic drums.

Drum triggers are modern-day devices that cue an electronic sample when hit. A sensor connects a drum machine or software. The machines and kits were far more portable than an actual drum set, making them far more convenient for traveling bands. 

Drum kits continue to evolve as musicians experiment and create new, innovative approaches to their sound and setup. Some drummers are more partial to the sound from a drum set and prefer the maintenance and upkeep, finding replacement parts for drums to keep their sets intact and going as long as they play.

Technology's changes and evolution give drummers the freedom to develop rhythms and drum patterns right from their own computers through music production software, setting up a home recording studio. Electronic drum kits can be done as quickly as the click of the mouse or the touch of a button on a smart device! 

It’s hard to say where drum kits will evolve next, but it’s safe to say that drums are a vital part of any band and music, and they aren’t going anywhere.