Prehistoric music

The very first rhythmic beating of objects likely originated with monkeys and other primates, which have been observed making rhythmic noises and gestures with their voices and with objects to communicate. This finding has led scientists to speculate that there may be a common gestural origin for speech and music amongst all primates, including humans.

The concept of drums are as old as mankind. A drum is called a membranophone, or an instrument that creates sound by striking a stretched membrane with some type of object, usually a rounded stick. Drums consist of a hollowed-out piece (called the body), a membrane stretched over the end of the drum and tuning keys or pegs which tighten or loosen the membrane to achieve different tones. While most may think that the body of the drum produces the sound, it is in fact actually the membrane and its vibration that creates the sound when struck.

Drums first appeared as far back as 6000 BC. The first drummer cited by name in human history is Lipushiau, a woman from Ur in Mesopotamia, who was the head of Ekishnugal, Ur's most important temple. She is seen in reliefs with a round-framed drum, the balag-di. Mesopotamian excavations unearthed small cylindrical drums dated 3000 BC. Several wall markings found in caves in Peru show drums used in various aspects of societal life. The American Indians used gourd and wooden constructed drums for their rituals and ceremonies. Drums have always been used for more than merely creating music. Civil uses, messaging and religious uses are but a few.

Drum kits, a grouping of various toned drums, originated in marching bands and parade bands in New Orleans. It was found that one drummer could play more than one drum simultaneously. This is known as double drumming. Cymbals and Tom Toms, which were invented in China, were added to drum kits. Percussion additives such as cowbells, wooden blocks, and chimes were incorporated as well. By the 1930s, the standard drum kit had taken shape. It consisted of a bass drum and foot pedal, snare, tom toms, hi-hat cymbal, and large hanging cymbals.