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Drummers vocabulary

Drummer vocabulary

  • Snares

    snehrz

    noun

    A set of wires stretched across the bottom/resonant head of a snare drum that rattle when the drum is struck, giving the drum its unique sound.

  • Snare/snare drum

    snehr / snehr druhm

    noun

    A drum with wires (“snares”) stretched across the resonant head, producing a unique sound from the rattling of the wires when the batter head is struck.

  • Resonant head

    reh·zuh·nuhnt hed

    noun

    The drumhead on the underside of any drum which is not struck but resonates to create the overall sound of the drum when the batter head is struck.

  • Batter head

    ba·tr hed

    noun

    The drumhead on any drum that is played with sticks or brushes.

  • Concert tom

    noun

    A tom-tom with no bottom/resonant head.

  • Floor tom

    flor·tom

    noun

    A tom-tom with legs that is placed directly on the ground (as opposed to mounting it on a stand or on top of the bass drum).

  • Tom/tom-tom

    tom·tom

    noun

    A drum that produces a clear, non-pitched tone. Tom-toms are mounted on stands or mounts and come in sizes ranging from 6” to 20”.

  • Kick/kick drum

    kik druhm

    noun

    Another name for the bass drum.

  • Bass drum

    bays druhm

    noun

    A large (usually 18”-24”) drum that produces a deep sound. In the drum-set, this drum is placed on the floor and played with a foot pedal.