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The first drums were made back in 6000 BC. The natives used them for rituals and ceremonies. Drums consist of a hollow piece of wood, any type of skin stretched over the end of the drum and tuning keys or pegs which creates different tones. The American Civil War was the start of the drum kit. Every military unit had a group of musicians that played marching music for the soldiers. Percussion played a major part in marching aspect because they had to keep the beat.
In the earlier part of the 19th century, brass bands were really popular. Each band consisted of three percussionalists, one playing the snare drum, one playing the bass drum and one on the cymbals. In addition to playing in marching bands they also played indoors for entertainment. When they moved indoors they were in a much smaller place so they had to make all the instruments fit by making them all smaller or combining different ones such as the different toms that come with the whole set. They used to have the snare drum hang from their shoulders and have the bass drum on the floor, but William Ludwig created a stand for the snare drum and added a kick pedal to the bass drum. Once these two inventions were available, a single drummer could do the work of two or more percussionists. The 20’s saw the invention of the high-hat. When pressed down with the foot, it closed bringing two cymbals together.
Drums have really been improved over the past years, they now have electric drums for more of a dub-step feel. Drums are used in every type of genre today. They make beats for dub-step, rap and hip-hop; and they are very essential in a rock band. The world would not be the same if it weren't for percussion.