Drum Classifications - Different Types of Drums

Basic Classification of Drums

  • Acoustic Drums – Traditional bas drums, snare drums, and tom drums, basic components of the modern drum set that can be seen in any pop, rock or metal band.
  • Electric Drums – They consist from the pressure sensitive pads that reproduce sound via sound processing computer that is sending audio information to the amplifier. They are used rarely, but are popular in some genres of music.
  • World Drums – Historical drums that are traditionally used in many countries as part of old ceremonies or localized musical genres. Those drums can be conga drums, conga drums, djembes, japanse drums, and many more.

Classification by Membrane (membranophones)

  • Kettle (vessel) Drums – Rounded at the bottom, with laced, nailed or glued membrane that can be vibrated by hands, beater or both.
  • Tubular Drums – Created in shapes of barrel, cylinder, conical, double conical, hourglass, shallow or goblet. They can be used both by hadns or beater.
  • Friction Drums – Membranes of these drums vibrate when they detect friction. They are played not by hand, but by cord or stick.
  • Frame Drums – Drums where skin or membrane is starched across frame of drum (most notably popular portable tambourine drum that can be carried in one hand and hit with another).
Japanese Welcome Drums
Japanese Welcome Drums
Old Goblet Drum
Snare Drum and Sticks