Fantastic. The wondrous legend is true. Drum kits really do exist in real life! It's time for some of us to catch up and learn what the names of each part of the drum kit sound like. Click on the names above the descriptions to hear the drum sounds.

Crash Cymbal
Generally used to accentuate a part of the music, such as the start of an 8-bar section.

Hi Hats
Closed hats are the short snappy ones, open hats are the long hissy ones.

Kick Drum (aka Bass Drum)
Generally provides the low-end body of a drum rhythm. Usually triggered by a foot pedal.

Ride Cymbal
A twinkly cymbal sound that's part of what makes up a cliché Jazz sound.

Snare Drum
The 2nd most important drum component after the kick in most rhythms.

Tom Toms
Boomy drums that are most often used in drum rolls and small fills in a song.