Important works for drum set as a multiple percussion instrument - Doctor of Musical Arts essay - May 2012

Sep 29, 2026

An essay submitted for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in May 2012, presenting an organized study of the drum set as a multiple percussion instrument. The work defines and traces key elements of drum set formation, including pedal and cymbal components, trap-set development, and the evolution of soloing in popular music. It surveys existing research, states study delimitations and methods, and then provides an annotated list of solo drum set compositions. Conclusions synthesize findings and offer suggestions for future research.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages139

Reading Time5 h 50 min

AccessFree to download

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER ONE JUSTIFICATION

CHAPTER TWO DEFINITION AND EXPANSION OF THE DRUM SET

CHAPTER THREE ANNOTATED LIST OF COMPOSITIONS FOR SOLO DRUM SET

CHAPTER FOUR CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

APPENDIX A: SOLO LITERATURE

APPENDIX B: E-MAIL INTERVIEWS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Important works for drum set as a multiple percussion instrument Nichols, Kevin Arthur [https://iro.uiowa.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Important-works-for-drum-set-as/9983776727902771/fi](https://iro.uiowa.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Important-works-for-drum-set-as/9983776727902771/fi)lesAndLinks?index=0 Nichols, K. A. (2012) . Important works for drum set as a multiple percussion instrument [University of Iowa]. [https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.dbe4tgd6](https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.dbe4tgd6) [https://iro.uiowa.edu](https://iro.uiowa.edu) Free to read and download Copyright 2012 Kevin Arthur Nichols Downloaded on 2026/09/28 19:02:07-0500 - IMPORTANT WORKS FOR SOLO DRUM SET ASA MULTIPLE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT by Kevin Arthur Nichols An essay submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the Graduate College of The University of Iowa May 2012 Essay Supervisor: Professor Daniel Preston Moore Graduate College The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL D.M.A. ESSAY This is to certify that the D.M.A. essay of Kevin Arthur Nichols has been approved by the Examining Committee for the essay requirement for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the May 2012 graduation. Essay Committee: | Daniel P. Moore, Essay Supervisor | | --- | | David Gier | | Richard Heidel | | William LaRue Jones | Kevin Kastens Dedicated with love to Thea, Samantha, and Charley ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To Dr. Dan Moore whose support, patience, and unselfish giving of time is most appreciated. To Mark Austill whose proofreading has been helpful and being my musical sibling has been inspirational. To Josephine Gilmore who has edited this document, motivated me for the past seven years, and helped make this project possible. Finally, I would like to thank Phyllis and Richard Nichols whose nurturing let me be myself, a musician. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES vi CHAPTER ONE JUSTIFICATION 1 Introduction 1 Purpose of the study 3 Survey and review of existing research 4 Method of research 6 Delimitations of Study 8 CHAPTER TWO DEFINITION AND EXPANSION OF THE DRUM SET 9 CONCEPT Brief History of the Early Formation of the Drum Set 9 Double Drumming 10 Bass Drum Pedal 11 Cymbals 12 From Low Boy to High Hat 13 Ride Cymbal 14 Advent of the Trap Set 15 Tom Toms 16 Established Fundamental Configuration 16 Initial Role of the Drum Set and its Evolution in Popular Music 17 Evolution of Soloing 18 Significant Artists Who have Contributed to Drum Set Vocabulary 21 Warren “Baby” Dodds 21 Max Roach 23 Elvin Jones 25 Ed Blackwell 26 Milford Graves 28 Terry Bozzio 29 Fritz Hauser 31 Glenn Kotche 32 Conclusion 36 CHAPTER THREE ANNOTATED LIST OF COMPOSITIONS FOR SOLO 37 DRUM SET Annotation components 37 Compositions 38 Cage, John. One4for Solo Drummer (1990) . Edition Peters/Henmar Press, Inc. New York, NY 38 Cucinotta, Cucinotta. The Sky is Waiting…(1977) . Lang Percussion, Inc. New York, NY 44 Dillon, [James.](James. Ti.re-Ti.ke-Dha)[ Ti.re-Ti.ke-Dha](James. Ti.re-Ti.ke-Dha) (1979). Hinricshen Editions/ Peters Edition, LTD. London 54 Mercer, Janis. Air (1988; revised 1993-4) . Media Press. Champaign, IL 62 Smith, Stuart Saunders. Brush (2001) . Smith Publications. Baltimore, MD 75 Tiner, Kris. Echoes and Echoes of Echoes (2002) . Kris Tiner, ASCAP. San Diego, CA 81 Zappa, Frank. The Black Page No.1 (1976) . Munchkin Music 86 CHAPTER FOUR CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH 91 Conclusion 91 Suggestions for Future Research 92 APPENDIX A: SOLO LITERATURE 94 APPENDIX B: E-MAIL INTERVIEWS 110 BIBLIOGRAPHY 125 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Basic drum set configuration: 1. snare drum, 2. mounted tom, 3. bass drum, 4. floor tom. Grey circles represent cymbals- (clockwise starting with bottom left: high hat, crash cymbal, and ride cymbal. 17 Figure 2. Milford Graves d

FAQs

What is the main focus of the essay?

The essay studies the drum set as a multiple percussion instrument, covering its definition, historical development, and role in solo drumming and popular music.

How is the document organized?

It includes a justification chapter, a definition and expansion chapter, an annotated list of solo drum set compositions, and a concluding chapter with suggestions for future research.

What material is provided for compositions in the study?

Chapter Three contains an annotated list of compositions for solo drum set, with citation details such as composer names, titles, publication information, and related notes.

Sep 29, 2026

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