Let’s learn about drums, Drum set elements, The basics of playing – Roland V-Drums Electronic Drum Set User Manual

Page 2: Drum set elements the basics of playing, Acoustic drum, V-drums (example: td-1 double mesh kit), Holding the sticks, Using the kick pedal

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Let’s Learn About Drums

Bass drum/Kick Pedal

Played with a kick pedal, it’s the largest drum in the kit.

* Use a commercially available kick pedal.

Snare drum

The snare drum is the main “voice” of a drum kit.

Hi-hat/Hi-hat pedal

An acoustic hi-hat uses 2 cymbals mounted on a hi-hat stand.

Pressing the hi-hat pedal opens and closes it.

* The TD-1 Double Mesh Kit (example) uses a single pad.

Tom (Tom 1, Tom 2)

These are usually mounted above the bass drum.

Floor tom (Tom 3)

Sometimes called a bass tom, it either stands on it’s own legs or is

mounted on a stand.

Ride cymbal

Usually mounted on the right side of the kit, the ride cymbal is

principle elements in keeping time.

Crash cymbal

Smaller than the ride, the crash cymbal is mainly used for accents.

* In the TD-1 Double Mesh Kit (example), this is the same size as

the ride.

Drum Set Elements

Here are some basic terms related to drum sets.

Acoustic drum

Hi-hat

Ride

Snare

Tom

Floor tom

Hi-hat pedal

Bass drum

Kick pedal

Crash

V-drums (example: TD-1 Double Mesh Kit)

Crash

Ride

Hi-hat

Tom 2

Snare

Hi-hat pedal

Tom 1

Tom 3

Kick pedal

Sound

module

Kick

(Bass drum)

The Basics of Playing

Drums are played using both hands and both feet.
Here we’ll explain how to hold the sticks and use the pedals.

Holding the sticks

The most common way to hold the sticks is called the “matched

grip” as shown in the illustrations below.

Left hand

Right hand

Using the kick pedal

The kick pedal can be pressed in either of two ways: “heel up” or

“heel down.”

Heel up

In this method, your heel

floats above the pedal.

With your heel off the

pedal, lower your entire foot to push down the pedal.
This method applies the full weight of your leg to the pedal, making

it easier for you to produce a stronger sounds than the heel down

method. This is often used in rock and pop.

Heel down

In this method, the entire

bottom of your foot from

heel to toe stays in contact

with the pedal. Use your ankle joint to make your toes push down

the pedal. This method allows more precise control of the volume,

and is often used in jazz and bossa nova.

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