Percussion · Drums
Bass Drum
The largest drum of the orchestra. Its deep sound is often felt more than heard.
- Section
- Percussion
- Family
- Drums
- Classification
- Membranophone · double-headed drum
- Pitch
- Indefinite (unpitched)
- Notation
- Percussion clef, single line
Parts of the bass drum
Photo: Yooperz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Labels added by Musicians Tools.
Writing for the bass drum
- Single strokes ring for a long time; ask for damping (“secco”) when you want them short.
- A soft roll with two mallets creates a distant, rumbling background.
- One loud stroke can define a climax. Use it sparingly.
- Often paired with cymbals, especially in marches.
History
The large drum came into European music with Turkish Janissary bands in the 18th century, together with cymbals and triangle. Mozart and Haydn used it for “Turkish” colour.
Listen
Key works featuring the bass drum. Each link opens a YouTube search, so you can pick the recording you like.
- Verdi – Requiem, Dies irae
- Mozart – Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Overture
- Haydn – Symphony No. 100 “Military”
- Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring, Dance of the Earth
Useful tools
Drums
Also in the family (pages coming):Tenor drumTom-toms
Ancestors:Davul (Turkish drum)