Beginner’s Guide to Types of Drums
- Greater Toronto Music School
- Aug 28
- 7 min read
Drums are the heartbeat of music, they drive rhythms, energize performances and connect listeners through beat and pulse. As a beginner exploring the world of percussion, getting to know the different kinds of drums, drum names and styles is your first step toward finding the ones that suit you.
For that reason, in this guide we’ll walk through all the major types of drums, introduce both acoustic and electronic options, dive into hand drums types from around the world, explore marching and orchestral drums and even suggest how to choose the right instrument for your journey.
Plus, we’ve included an FAQs section that answers all of the common questions, along with how our team at Greater Toronto Music School can help you on this journey.
Types of Drums: Quick Menu
Why Learn About Different Types of Drums?
Understanding the different types of drums is a great first step in your drumming journey. Whether you’re drawn to rock beats, electronic grooves, tribal rhythms or orchestral timbres, there's a drum for every musical path. But learning about the different types of drums can help in many ways, such as:
Finding the kind of drum that fits your musical interests,
Understanding the drum names and terminology used by musicians,
Making an informed choice for your space, sound preferences and goals,
Appreciating the range of cultural traditions and playing techniques,
Among many more…
By learning the various types of drum sets and hand drums, you’ll be better equipped to choose an instrument to study, practice and perform on.
The Acoustic Drum Set
When most people think of drums, they picture the classic acoustic drum set, a kit played with sticks, pedals and pads. Let’s break down a standard 5-piece kit:
Bass Drum (Kick Drum): The deep drum played with a pedal which anchors the beat.
Snare Drum: Central to most rhythmic patterns, offering a crisp, punchy attack.
Rack Toms and Floor Tom: Provide tonal variety for fills and accents.
Hi-Hat: Two cymbals controlled by foot and stick that guide time.
Crash and Ride Cymbals: Crash for accents and ride for steady patterns.
These drum names are common across genres from rock and pop to jazz and funk. Acoustic drum sets are popular because they give you great sound control and rich tone, making them a top choice for live shows and recording.
Electronic Drum Sets
Electronic drum sets, sometimes known as e-kits, are a popular choice for both beginners and experienced drummers, particularly those who live in shared rooms or prefer a quieter practice environment.
E-kits use rubber or mesh pads that, when struck, trigger electronic drum sounds rather than acoustic sound. These sounds are handled by a module, which manages everything from the drum sounds to the effects and backing tracks.
One of the most significant advantages of electronic drums is volume control. You can use headphones to practice without disturbing others. They are also space-saving and simple to set up in smaller rooms. Some versions even have built-in coaching features, such as metronomes and practice games, that are ideal for learning.
Many e-kits provide a diverse range of sounds, allowing you to switch between rock, jazz, techno and world percussion kits with a few button presses. However, lower-end models may not have the same feel as an acoustic set, particularly in terms of stick rebound and dynamics. More advanced versions, with mesh heads and improved sensitivity, can accurately replicate the feel of actual drums.
Overall, if you're just starting out or already experienced and want a quiet, compact and flexible way to practice, electronic drum sets are a great option.
Hand Drums
Hand drums come in many shapes and sizes and are played using your hands rather than sticks. They’ve been part of traditional music in cultures around the world for centuries and they offer a great introduction to rhythm for beginners of all ages. That said, here are some of the most well-known types of hand drums:
Djembe: Originally from West Africa, the djembe is a goblet-shaped drum with a wide range of tones, from deep bass to sharp. It’s typically carved from wood with a goatskin head and played with bare hands.
Conga: A tall, narrow drum used in Afro-Cuban and Latin music. Congas are often played in pairs and produce deep, warm tones that are perfect for salsa, rumba and jazz.
Bongos: Smaller than congas, bongos come in pairs and are connected together. They have a higher pitch and are great for lively, fast rhythms.
Cajón: Originating from Peru, this box-shaped drum is played by sitting on it and striking the front panel. It’s popular in acoustic and flamenco music and is often used in place of a drum set in small performance spaces.
Tabla: A pair of tuned drums from India, played with the fingertips and palms. They require precise technique and are commonly used in classical Indian music.
Each of these hand drums has its own cultural background and playing style, but all are incredibly fun to learn. Whether you’re exploring world music or just want a portable drum for jam sessions, hand drums are a great choice.
Marching Drums
Marching drums, like the snare, tenor (quads) and bass drums, are essential in marching bands, drumlines and parades. Built for portability, they fit into a harness, letting players march while keeping rhythm. Here’s a breakdown:
Marching Snare Drum: Unlike a drum set snare, this one is shallower and features a higher tension on the heads, providing crisp and articulate strokes. This makes it great for fast, detailed drumming where control and bounce really count.
Tenor or Multi-Toms (Quads): These are mounted together and allow drummers to change pitch by playing different drums in the set. They’re versatile for melodic rolls and rhythmic fills and are popular in drum corps and drumline performances.
Marching Bass Drums: These drums are worn across the chest and played with both hands. They have a deep, powerful sound and are commonly used in school and college bands.
Overall, marching drums require strong posture and technique, given the physical demands of the harness and stage presence. They’re a great choice for anyone in school bands or those who want to develop stick control, endurance, and dynamic playing.
Orchestral Drums
Orchestral and symphonic drums come with a wide variety of instruments, such as:
Concert Bass Drum: A big, floor-standing drum played with mallets. It creates deep, booming sounds and is often used for dramatic moments.
Timpani (Kettledrums): These are large, tunable drums with a round shape. Played with soft mallets, they add melody and rich tone to classical music.
Concert Snare Drum: Like a regular snare drum but tuned differently. It produces clear, sharp sounds that are great for military and classical music.
Cymbals and Auxiliary Percussion: This includes instruments like tambourines, triangles and orchestral cymbals. They add sparkle and texture to the music.
Playing these instruments requires strong control, good reading skills and attention to dynamics. Learning them helps you become a more well-rounded musician.
Specialty and World Drums
Drums from different cultures around the world offer unique sounds and playing styles. Here are a few examples:
Darbuka or Doumbek (Middle Eastern): These are goblet-shaped drums played with precise finger and palm strokes. They produce crisp, fast rhythms and are integral in belly dance and folk music.
Native American Frame Drums: These drums are played with hands or soft mallets, producing deep, rich tones often used in cultural or spiritual ceremonies.
Talking Drums (West African): These have adjustable tension under pressure allowing players to mimic speech tones by squeezing the drum's cords. These are important in storytelling and ritual music.
Udu (Igbo, Nigeria): This is a clay pot drum with an open side that produces deep, earthy bass tones and is usually played by hand.
Tabla, Pakhawaj (India): This is a pair of tuned hand drums with pitch-specific playing techniques and is essential to Indian classical music.
Bodhrán (Ireland): This is a dairy-thin frame drum played with fingers or a wooden stick. It often accentuates traditional Celtic melodies.
All in all, trying out different world drums is a great way to discover new rhythms, sounds and styles. Many of these instruments are small, easy to play and perfect for adding global flavour to your music or band.
Choosing the Right Drum for You
With so many options available, picking the right drum can feel overwhelming. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
Define Your Musical Goals
Want to play rock or pop? Consider an acoustic or electronic drum kit.
Interested in marching band or orchestral performance? Try a marching snare or timpani.
Drawn to global rhythms? Hand drums like djembe, cajón or tabla are perfect.
Look At Your Space and Volume Constraints
Acoustic kits are powerful but loud, so they are usually great for studios or soundproof areas.
Electronic kits are compact and headphone-friendly.
Hand drums and world percussion are highly portable and quieter overall.
Set Your Budget
Entry-level acoustic kits range from $400 to $1,000.
E-drums vary widely, from basic to high-end models.
Hand and world drums can be affordable and don’t require much setup.
Plan for Growth
Think about instruments you can grow with. A good starter drum kit should let you add more cymbals or hardware later. Electronic kits should allow for extra sounds or pads.
Some world drums can be tuned or paired with accessories as you improve.
Try Before You Buy
Test instruments in music stores or workshops to feel differences in rebound and tone, especially for marching and orchestral drums.
FAQs About Different Kinds of Drums
Q: What is the easiest drum to learn as a beginner?
A: Hand drums, such as cajón or djembe, are easy to learn because they require no sticks or pedals, only basic rhythm with your hands.
Q: Can I mix different drums in the same setup?
A: Absolutely! Many kits combine acoustic drums with electronic pads or hand percussion to increase musical possibilities.
Q: Can I learn these types of drums at your music school in Toronto?
A: Yes! At Greater Toronto Music School, we teach all types of drums, from full kits to hand percussion, as well as for all ages and skill levels.
Try Different Drum Options at Greater Toronto Music School
Ready to discover which drum style is right for you? Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to explore new rhythms, our experienced instructors will guide you every step of the way. You’ll get the chance to try different types of drums, develop solid technique and build confidence behind the kit. Give us a call or fill out a contact form to get started!
