From the 1480s until WWI, military side drummers played a vital role as the communication devices – in camp, garrison, and towns as well as on the battlefield. This website hopes to become a hub of conversation and research on traditional styles of drumming and methods of historic drumming.
Developing a community of research-oriented historic drummers
Historic Drumming’s mission is two-fold:
- to share my research on the history of drums with others and
- to create a dialogue with other drumming enthusiasts about military music, traditional drumming, etc.
Historic Drumming will explore the history of military drumming in various nationalities and time periods:
- 17th Century French Drumming
- 18th Century French Drumming (French & Indian War)
- 17th Century British Drumming
- 18th Century British Drumming (American Revolutionary War)
- 18th Century American Drumming (American Revolutionary War)
- Early-19th Century American Drumming (War of 1812)
- Mid-19th Century American Drumming (American Civil War)
Historic Drumming will also explore:
- Drum Rudiments and their Histories
- Historic techniques and traditional methods of drumming
- Historic styles of performing / traditional grip
- Interpreting historic drum notation
- Construction of Rope Tension Snare Drums, or Side Drums
Help me to grow this site and develop a community of research-oriented historic drummers! Comment on blog posts and contact me with questions, critiques, and/or ideas.