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Bass Drum

The bass drum is a large drum, generally with a head on each side and is meant to produce low frequency sounds. They are most commonly struck with some variation of a simple padded mallet. Musically they are used either to create a pulse, or as means of adding an accent to the music being performed.

There are three basic kinds of bass drums. The "kick," as it's referred to on a drum set, is the smallest of the three and is struck with a mallet attached to a foot pedal. The marching bass drum is used primarily with marching bands and is normally found in groups of three or four per ensemble. Each one is tuned to a specific note, and the combination of the drums can create simple motives. The concert bass drum is the largest of the three and is primarily used in orchestras and symphonic wind ensembles.

As with all drums, the bass drum is a fairly simple instrument. They are normally constructed out of wood, although new composite materials have also been used. A skin of some kind (called a "head") is then stretched over each side of the cylinder and tightened until the desired tone is heard. These heads traditionally were made from animal hide, but modern drumheads are usually made from some form of plastic.

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