Bass Drum

A bass drum is the largest of drums and produces the lowest pitch. It can also be called a kick drum, but this is typically within a drum set. They are used in every type of music from orchestral and classical to rock and roll and dubstep often driving the music by creating a rhythmic beat.

A bass drum can be played with a number of different tools depending on the type of drum. In a drum set the bass is played with a foot pedal attached to a beater, orchestral basses can be used with mallets and even hands alone, while tuned basses use sticks. There are many sizes, shapes and densities of these mallets, beaters and sticks.

The bass drum is thought to have originated in the Middle East, though it is likely to have been developed around the world at different times in history. Wood and animal skin do not preserve well, so there is little archeological record of any early drums, but every culture has their own unique variation or method of playing these instruments.