Wynton at Harvard, Chapter 9: The Evolution of the Trap Drum Set

Delve into Wynton Marsalis's six-part Harvard University lecture series, covering a range of topics including jazz, what it means to be American, and the importance of cultural literacy and the arts in the liberal arts education.
IX. The Evolution of the Trap Drum Set
In this chapter, Wynton tells the history of the drum set, “the first bona fide American musical instrument.”
Go to jazz.org/wyntonatharvard for the complete series.
"Hidden in Plain View: Meanings in American Music" is a series of six lectures delivered at Harvard University between 2011 and 2014 sponsored by the Office of the President and Provost. The inaugural lecture, “Music as Metaphor,” was delivered in Sanders Theatre to a capacity crowd. It is an interpretation of the many unobserved symbols in American music and an investigation into how they illuminate the democratic process.
It covers many of the fundamental devices, forms, and songs that bind the different Americas together at the root. It is Marsalis's contention that "'Me vs. You' and 'Us vs. Y'all'-vs. 'All of Us'-remains the struggle at the heart of humankind and the central debate of our Constitution. How do we achieve a common ground when individual victories are so much more valued? This conundrum has been resolved harmoniously in our musical arts for more than a century. Under the vibrant din of our democracy, on the lower frequencies, sonic metaphors speak to and for us all. What they tell us about what it means to be American could serve us well in these divisive and uncivil times."
Performances by Marsalis's ensemble (with special guest, the iconic fiddler Mark O'Connor) punctuate the lecture with musical explanations.
Mark O’Connor - fiddle
Walter Blanding - reeds
James Chirillo - guitar
Dan Nimmer - piano
Carlos Henriquez - bass
Ali Jackson - drums
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[@aberdeenaviationphotograph9311]

As an ex drummer: How did I not know all of the history of the drum kit. Love these lectures

[@ericbrannigan9996]

There's no such thing as an ex drummer, you're just on a break! 👍🥁

[@aberdeenaviationphotograph9311]

@@ericbrannigan9996 :-D Should have said, as an "ex-professional drummer", but I'll go with on a break!

[@terryreknaw6152]

No one is an ex drummer. You still have it in you dude. 👍👍

[@dxzxax8772]

Every drummer should see this. I never knew the history, much less how young the drum set is. The drum set is truly is an American invention. This tells how we got there.

[@adrianshawuk]

Always got time for Wynton

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

Oh my God this is beautiful! I never wanted this video to end

[@Merble]

Can you all set up a playlist of these, please? So good.

[@kennybarnes2375]

Another drummer out of work! Love it!

[@gballmaier]

It appears that I went to school today, and learned a little about my instrument. AND I LIKEDED IT! This is a great program. I've checked out, the many of these videos. Love the old music.

[@PedroSantosBaterista]

Muito bom!! No Brasil, o processo "evolutivo" da bateria foi muito similar. Obviamente a bateria (drum set) não foi criado aqui, mas a concepção, ou caminho percorrido, foi praticamente o mesmo. Oscar Bolão e Wilson das Neves são bons exemplos de como a percussão se condensou num só instrumento.

[@wjamyers]

This is essential information for drummers.

[@elyashley794]

Ali Jackson --Still love your playing my man! Met you at Ona's Music Room back in the late 90's during a jam session in Birmingham, AL.

[@MaestroGeo]

Never knew about the Low boy

[@robertmorrisey2317]

What a treat!

[@JohnHeiman]

"A band doesn't choose a drummer, a drummer chooses a band."

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

Is Junebug like a common nickname in African American culture? I remember being called that on separate occasions by several different African American people. Anyone know? I hope it doesn't mean something weird.

[@terryreknaw6152]

1.09. that bloke is asleep or dead.