Bare rototom frames are called ‘spoxes’ and are occasionally found on kits mounted in the air like cymbals, or sometimes as alternative high hats. Spoxes create a distinctive gentle bell-like pitched sound when struck, which is variable depending on where on the frame they are struck.

The bass drum (also known as the ‘kick’) is one of the essential parts of the drum kit, and in most music will be the lowest frequency instrument heard.  The bass drum is the foundation of most popular music, and should be felt as the driving force behind a song, as it is linked closely with the bass line.

The kick drum is struck with a beater which is attached via a chain to a pedal, enabling it to be struck with the foot alone. The beater is usually made of wood or plastic, and is often covered in some sort of cloth – similar to an orchestral mallet.