Concert Bass Drums
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Harness the Power of a Concert Bass Drum
Nothing puts the “boom,” “thump,” or “thwack” in a lively march or overture quite like a concert bass drum. This cornerstone of the concert percussion world is a staple in classrooms and performance venues worldwide.
Are you looking to take your band and orchestra performances to the next level? A full-sized concert bass drum can bring a roar to the floor as few instruments can. Whether you're a seasoned percussionist or a band director outfitting your ensemble, Sweetwater is here to provide valuable tips for selecting and setting up your orchestral bass drum.
How to Play a Concert Bass Drum
If you’ve never had the privilege of pounding the pulse to your favorite tune on a concert bass drum, you’re in for a treat. With a little practice, the bass drum can quickly become one of the most rewarding instruments in the percussion section.
Never played a concert bass drum before? Not to worry! Here are the key points to remember when implementing an orchestral bass drum into your band.
Positioning the drum
It may seem logical to position your concert bass drum fully upright, perpendicular to the floor. However, proper technique calls for tilting the bass drum around 30 degrees on its axis. This makes the batter head easier to strike while maintaining clear sight lines with your score and conductor.
Choosing your mallets
Concert bass drums require special mallets. Concert bass mallets feature large, tennis ball–sized beaters made from hard felt or wood core and are often wrapped in soft pile. This construction is essential for generating the dark, mysterious tone the concert bass drum is known for.
Perfecting your technique
To pull the best tone out of your concert bass drum, strike the head just off-center using a full stroke of the arm and wrist. Once a note is struck, immediately pull back the mallet to prevent unwanted dampening, allowing the note to bloom.
Finding the right tone
Searching for a particular sound from your bass drum? Notes are rounder, darker, and slower to develop as you move out toward the rim. Notes become brighter, punchier, and more immediate as you move toward the center. Players take advantage of these timbral shifts to complement different styles of music.
Controlling resonance with muffling
Large concert bass drums can be very resonant, with notes ringing out several seconds at a time. This may not be appropriate for every piece of music. Thus, it’s common for players (or their directors) to muffle the bass drum ahead of a performance to control the sound. Muffling can be achieved by stretching felt strips under the head or adhering clear gels to the playing surface.
Mastering the knee-up technique
A shortcoming of traditional muffling with felt or gels is that it may not suit every style. Some pieces may call for thunderous, wide-open peals while others require a tighter, more controlled pulse.
For this reason, concert bass drum players will often adopt a knee-up technique to actively control resonance and sustain. This technique has players balance on the leg nearest the bass drum and rest the opposing knee on the drumhead. By applying more or less force to the head, the player can achieve mutes and staccatos at will to complement any style or tempo.
If you’re interested in the knee-up technique, look for a concert bass drum stand with a built-in footrest. You can also invest in a standalone percussion footrest like the Grover Pro Percussion Footrest.
What Size Bass Drum Is Best for Concert Band?
There’s no universally agreed-upon “standard size” for concert bass drums. Sweetwater has helped outfit ensembles with bass drums as small as 24 inches (useful for younger players and mobile percussion setups) to those reaching 40 inches in diameter.
That being said, while there is no “standard,” we’d suggest groups aiming for a traditionally deep, cavernous tone stay north of 32 inches in diameter — with 36 inches being a sweet spot for most groups.
What’s the Difference Between a Bass Drum and a Concert Bass Drum?
Although modern kick drums may have co-opted the term, “bass drum” once referred primarily to the marching and orchestral instruments we now know as concert bass drums.
In fact, it was these concert bass drums around which pioneering drummers of the 20th-century riverboat jazz scene fashioned their trap kits (short for “contraption”) before specialty shell sizes and pedals were created.
As for differences between these bass drum types, it really boils down to shell size and technique. Most kick drums run 18–24 inches in diameter and are played with a foot pedal while seated. Most concert bass drums are 28–38 inches in diameter and are played with mallets while standing. Shell construction and timbre can vary, but the basic principles are the same.
Shopping for Your Next Concert Bass Drum? Start at Sweetwater
When it comes to classroom and concert percussion, Sweetwater’s Sales Engineers are experts. Give our team a call at (800) 222-4700 if you’d like help choosing the right bass drum, stand, and mallet for your ensemble. Whether frame-mounted or freestanding, rolling or stationary, discover why Sweetwater is the leading source for top orchestral bass drums from Ludwig, Yamaha, Pearl, Majestic, and more.
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Why shop Concert Bass Drums at Sweetwater.com?
With a massive selection of Concert Bass Drums, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Concert Bass Drums, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.
