Talk:Bass drum

Triple Ass
This is becoming a popular variation in hardcore, and should be added to the article. Ridethefire3211 15:36, 4 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Details? Andrewa (talk) 05:30, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

Berlioz quote
I love this quote. I can't figure out where I originally found it, and I don't know if it can fit in the article:
 * “Only one member of this orchestra allows himself no sort of diversion. Engrossed in his task, active, tireless, his eyes fixed on his notes, his arm in perpetual motion, he would deem himself dishonored if he were to miss a quaver or attract censure for the quality of his tone. The close of each act finds him flushed an perspiring, exhausted and breathless; and yet he does not dare take advantage of the few moments afforded him by the lull in the musical hostilities to drink a glass of beer in the nearest bar. The dread of lingering there and so missing the first bars of the next act is enough to rivet him to his post. Touched by his zeal, the manager of the opera house to which he is attached once sent him six bottles of wine ‘by way of encouragement’. The artist, conscious of his worth, far from accepting this gift gratefully, returned it to the manager with the haughty message, ‘I do not need encouragement!’ It is easy to guess that I am referring to the bass drum player.”

– flamurai (t) 06:35, 23 November 2005 (UTC)

Advertisement in link section removed. woah thats cool —Preceding unsigned comment added by 97.102.118.85 (talk) 22:10, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

"Kick drum" incorrect?
I've been drumming for 5 years, and I've always heard and assumed bass drum and kick drum are generally interchangable, except that a kick drum is always pedal-operated (as on a set) whereas a bass drum may be hand struck (as in marching or concert bands). The Drum kit article itself even refers to the "kick drum" being from when they used to be kicked to make a sound (something I've attempted and it makes very little sounds, and surely isn't good for your heads.) Is there any reputable sources that confirm the kicking legend OR that "kick drum" is incorrect? Also, the line about mostly non-drummers using "kick" is false. It's possible that those who aren't classically trained may not use it, but in concert band we use it often to differentiate the concert bass and the drumset bass. Evan Seeds (talk) 03:22, 26 April 2006 (UTC)


 * Kick drum or more often simply kick has been the standard term for a drumkit bass drum for as long as I can remember, it appears on drum scores, on the masking tape marking the channels on a sound desk, everywhere.


 * It's inaccurate, as you often don't really kick it even heel up, and certainly don't heel down. (Heavy metal players may.)


 * Yes, it's also a good way of distinguishing it from the more general term bass drum, which includes the drier, orchestral bass drum and marching band bass drum, the gong drum, and many others. Andrewa (talk) 05:38, 29 January 2012 (UTC)


 * It may refer to people looking from the audience and thinking the guy was kicking the bass drum. (not knowing there's a pedal?) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.31.108.105 (talk) 04:55, 31 January 2012 (UTC)

"Kick Drum"
The statement that the bass drum is "often incorrectly referred to as a 'kick' drum" is, itself, incorrect. The correct distinction must be made between the concert bass drum and the drum set bass drum, the later being termed the 'kick' drum. The concert bass drum is generally struck with a handheld mallet, whereas the 'kick' drum is struck with a mallet attached to a foot pedal.


 * Agree. Please sign your posts on talk pages. Andrewa (talk) 05:39, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

Concert Bass Drum
This article should begin by defining 'Bass Drum' in general:

"A bass drum is a large drum that produces a note of low definite or indefinite pitch."

Then it should continue with a brief description of, and distiction between, the concert bass drum, the pitched bass drum(s), and the drum set 'kick' drum. A section of the article should be dedicated to each type.


 * Agree. Under way. Andrewa (talk) 05:44, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

Double Bass article split and concert BD reconsidered?
In my opinion, this article's discussion of the double bass pedal and its variations may be suited for a separate article on this topic. I also think that that some space in this article should be used for a more in-depth discussion of concert bass drums, including more detailed physical specs, playing techniques, etc. This facet of bass drum seems to be under-represented in this article, considering the depth of the discussions of double bass and marching bass. --Rahzel 21:29, 13 July 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree. It could also do with a brief history of the use of the bass drum in orchestral music (use in opera houses, first use in a symphony, etc.) and a mention of orchestral repetoire pieces with significant bass drum parts (Symphonie Fantastique, the Verdi Requiem, possibly one or two Mahler symphonies, etc.) - Lbark 06:44, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

What is written about the double bass drum and pedal is great, but I would like to have seen equally thorough information about the more usual single bass such as playing styles, set up, etc.

Double Bass info
The world record citation cites Wikipedia as a source, it has been remeved, do not re-enter it. --User:Jman8088 23:44, October 26, 2006.

Inferno of Behemoth doesn't belong to the Scandinavian metal in the double bass drum techniques article. Behemoth and Inferno are of Polish nationality! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.102.209.44 (talk) 18:24, 18 February 2009 (UTC)

Vruk - Bass drum Merge proposal
The Vruk appears to be a drum accessory that doesn't need its own article. I am happy to do the merge I would appreciate some input from drummers as I may for some technical reason I dont understand be wrong. However at a glance it is simply a link to a commercial site.--Matt 00:48, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

Vruk - Bass drum Merge response
The Vruk is simply an attachment being used by a handful of drummers. It is basically an advertisement, supposedly to "improve" your control, and has no widespread use in the metal drumming world.

John Bonham
In the double bass techniques part the following is mentioned: "Then ultimately mastered in the 1970s by John Bonham of Led Zeppelin using only a single pedal."

Is this appropriate? I don't think it makes any sense. How can someone master a double bass technique using only one bass and one pedal? John Bonham had legendary bass drum skills, and can therefore be mentioned in this article but not in the double bass part.

If he was a significant influence on double bass drumming he could be mentioned in the double bass part, but then that should be explained (and, of course, sources should be used).

I'll remove it. Emmaneul (Talk) 12:03, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Double bass in Extreme Metal
I think a discussion of double bass drumming in Thrash metal, Death metal,, Black metal  and Grind core, and similar styles, is needed, with a mention of Dave Lombardo, since these styles use double bass drumming as an integral part (as a simple example, see Silent Scream by  Slayer). According to Lombardo, when you are playing very fast on bass drums, you need two of them, since you have to give the drum a time to rest to avoid slapback. Furthermore, Lombardo has, in metal circles,  been called "the godfather of double bass". —Preceding unsigned comment added by Zthe (talk • contribs) 18:48, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

I'll add that many many of the metalcore drummers quoted in that Double Bass part for their "ability" are, while maybe being the most commercially proficient, absolutely not among the most technically proficient double bass drummers. I therefore replaced them with more skilled death metal / black metal drummers and, as opposed to the previous writer, gave concrete examples of their double bass drumming abilities. Thank you in advance for your comprehension, crocoscar —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.9.135.169 (talk) 09:54, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

largest drum?
in the intro, it reads "It is the largest drum of the orchestra." What about the timpani? That is larger, is it not? --anonymous —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.90.138.2 (talk) 01:16, 27 April 2009 (UTC)


 * No, the concert bass drum has a larger diameter than the largest timpano used. RJM (talk) 23:39, 9 February 2010 (UTC)

Three major types of bass drums
The categorization of three types of bass drums in the intro was, though helpful, rather misleadingly stated I think. I have tried to fix this. Also, because of the heading "orchestral bass drum" later in the text I labelled this first type accordingly. WikiPBia (talk) 21:14, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

Editing and adding some info on the orchestral uses of the bass drum. WikiPBia (talk) 22:30, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

When reading some of the above remarks I got the impression that the overall structure of the article also was intended to follow this categorization. Hence I changed the heading to "Pitched bass drum in marching band use" this is also more in line with the actual text. But I haven´t checked if maybe some parts then fall off topic. WikiPBia (talk) 22:30, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

After revision I am still not pleased with the structure. Maybe it shouldn´t depend so much on the three types discussed above? WikiPBia (talk) 16:29, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

Orchestral bass drum
I want to learn about the orchestral bass drum. Specifically, how common is it to play it at an angle rather than vertically? I have seen what I believe to be angled bass drums on the stage at American orchestral concerts. --Simonsa (talk) 21:38, 18 March 2010 (UTC)

bass drums
i know i shou —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.107.32.125 (talk) 03:46, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

Pronunciation?
Is "bass" in bass drum pronounced like the sound or the fish?

--AlixeTiir (talk) 07:15, 18 July 2011 (UTC)


 * In Australia, like the sound, but it does differ a bit from dialect to dialect. Andrewa (talk) 05:51, 29 January 2012 (UTC)


 * Yes, it is always pronounced like the way you would pronounce the guitar. Never like the fish. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.89.29.199 (talk) 00:05, 8 February 2012 (UTC)

Splitting bass drum in 4 articles
Would you support the idea of splitting this entry in 4 articles?


 * drumkit bass drum or kick drum
 * marching bass drum
 * orchestral bass drum (I have created an article)
 * folk bass drums

--Opus88888 (talk) 01:17, 30 September 2012 (UTC)


 * I'm ok with a split, currently the article is in my opinion talking too much about the bass drum pedal and the pitched bass drums in marching band use. However, I don't agree with creating a 'folk bass drum' article unless there are sources supporting this idea. For example, separate instruments like the Lambeg drum (or many other drums) may be included under this classification since its ancestor could be the long drum. I think it will only cause a lot of trouble. Lobo (howl?) 00:55, 1 October 2012 (UTC)
 * I would strongly oppose such a move. A bass drum is a bass drum whether it is in an orchestra, a marching band or a pop group. I agree that some genres are better handled in this article than others. That is a consequence of the way this encylopedia is written and the wide variety of genres in which a bass drum is used. Please do not progress with this idea without a substantial concensus in favour. Op47 (talk) 17:48, 23 November 2012 (UTC)


 * Maybe I didn't express myself too well (my main language is not english)... of course a bass drum is a bass drum wether it is in an orchestra, a marching band or as part of the drum kit, and furthermore I am working hard on the eswiki version to be FA, trying to develop all of its uses, its history, sound production or technique. What I was just trying to say is to be concise, lighten its sections and translate such information to the proper articles, but I dont' want to remove this main article at all. Lobo (howl?) 20:13, 20 December 2012 (UTC)
 * Lobo, Thankyou for your comment. My comment was directed at the proposer and not to you. Of course some sections will become large and need to split off, obvious candidates at the moment are pedal and use in marching bands. I was just concerned that the original proposal would make it difficult to make the article a good article in the future. Good luck with your spanish article. Op47 (talk) 00:06, 21 December 2012 (UTC)

Article structure
I have tried to re-structure the article a bit to address the concerns raised above, where a split has been suggested. It is by no means complete. I believe if this structure is followed then a coherent and balanced article on bass drums will result. There is a lot that I have written without cites. Unfortunately the book where I got the information has gone for a walk. When it comes back, I will address that. Op47 (talk) 23:35, 23 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I think the article could do with more structuring with separate sections for the main uses of the bass drum. Martin Hogbin (talk) 12:40, 20 April 2014 (UTC)

Construction / Components
I'd like to see a basic breakdown of what makes up a bass drum. What are the parts called, how do they fit together, how is tension applied to the head, how are legs or toms added, etc.? Matt Huisjen (talk) 20:08, 19 October 2014 (UTC)

Links modified on main page
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Logo history
When did the practice of putting the band's logo on the bass drum start? Shmuser (talk) 16:15, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
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