The bass drum was invented in Ontario, Canada in the 1930s. It originated as a long drum but was shortened and widened over the 19th century. The bass drum is used in orchestras and bands to mark or keep time in a variety of musical styles like orchestral, jazz, and marching music. It is played by striking the center of the drum head with a mallet and is part of the percussion family of instruments.

1. BASS DRUM
By Dania and April 7A

2. Parts of a Bass Drum

3. 1. Where was it invented?
It was invented in Ontario Canada.

4. 2. When was it invented?
The bass drum was invented around the
1930's. It was invented by Gabriella Pittui.

5. 3. Who has composed pieces for it?
Bolero is an orchestral piece by Maurice Ravel
that includes the bass drum. There is a piece
called Requiem by Verdi that is also for an
orchestra (and the bass drum.)

6. 4. Has it always existed in the current
form? What changes have been
made, and when?
The bass drum was once a long drum. The
length of its cylinder was about twice the width
of the diameter. This drum was changed until
it resembled the other one during the course
of the 19th century. Its shell was shortened
and widened, and the shell was replaced with
brass. A cord was once used to attach the
head of a drum to the shell. It was done by
wrapping a cord around the border of skin that
overlapped the shell. This was later replaced
when the rim was added.

7. 5. What ensembles (groups) does it
regularly play in?
The bass drum is sometimes played with the
ride cymbal, floor tom, toms, snare drums, and
hi hat. It is also played with the rest of the
orchestra.

8. 6. What kind of music does it play?
The bass drum is used in orchestral music,
ensemble music, concert band music,
marching music, and throughout the 20th
century as a component of the drum kit in jazz,
rock and related styles. In music the bass
drum is used to mark or keep time. In
marches, it is used to project a tempo. In jazz
the bass drum can keep time from a medium
to a melodic voice. Bass drums are also used
for sound effects…e.g. thunder, or an
earthquake.

9. 7. How does your instrument work?
To play the bass drum you need to stand
behind it and hit the center of the drums face
with your mallet. If you are right handed you
will use your right hand to hit the mallet on the
right side of the bass drum. You hit the mallet
on the left side if you are left handed. You will
place your other hand (the one not holding a
mallet) on the face of the drum as to soften the
vibration.

10. 8. Is this instrument in the orchestra?
If so, for how long?
This instrument is in the orchestra.

11. 9. What does it look like? How can I
tell what it is?
A bass drum is a relatively large drum that
produces a note of loud definite or indefinite
pitch. It is the largest drum of the orchestra.

12. 10. Which family does it fit into?
The bass drum is in the drum and precussion
family.

13. Oh, Susanna

14. Bibliography
1. "Bass Drum." Play Music - Homepage. Web. 03 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.playmusic.org/percussion/bassdrum.html>.
2. "Instruments of the Orchestra - Percussion." Oregon Symphony Home. Web. 03 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/popups/percussion.html>.
3. "Percussion." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Web. 03 Nov. 2010.
<http://library.thinkquest.org/5116/percussion.htm>.
4. "Who Invented the Bass Drum? - Answers.Ask.com." Ask Answers - Answers.Ask.com. Web. 03 Nov. 2010.
<http://answers.ask.com/Entertainment/Music/who_invented_the_bass_drum>.
5. "Percussion - Bass Drum." Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Web. 03 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.mathcs.duq.edu/~iben/bassdrum.htm>.
"Bass Drum." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 08 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_drum>.
"Bass Drum." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 08 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_drum>.
"Concert Bass Drums : XL Specialty Percussion Lightweight Folding Bass Drum Stand - Buy ORCHESTRA PERCU." Free-
scores.com : Mondial De La Partition Gratuite (Partitions Gratuites PDF, MIDI Et MP3). Web. 08 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.free-scores.com/boutique/boutique-uk-frame-acc.php?clef=95788&CATEGORIE=630>.
Lautzenheiser, Tim, John Higgins, Charles Menghini, Paul Lavender, Tom C. Rhodes, and Don Bierscenk. Essential
Elements. Ed. Will Rapp. 1st ed. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2004. Print. Precussion.