What are the main components of a drum set?

Drum sets, as the name would suggest, are comprised of a set of drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments played together by the musician, usually known as a drummer. While drum sets vary widely in size depending on drummer preference and musical style, there are a number of key components included in almost every drum set:

Kick drum: this is a large bass drum played with a mallet driven by a foot pedal, often used as the base on top of which other drums and/or cymbals are attached. 

Snare drum: this is a high pitched drum with springs stretched over the bottom head, creating a unique clap noise.

Toms: these are drums attached to the kick drum or sitting on stands on the floor that are often used in drum fills.

Hi-hat cymbal: this is a set of two cymbals that can be controlled using a foot pedal, opening or closing to create a different sound when struck. Hi-hats are used to keep the beat.

Ride cymbal: this is a large, heavy cymbal used as an alternative to hi-hats, creating a splashier sound.

Crash cymbal: this is a medium or large cymbal often struck to make a loud, climactic crashing noise.