As a set of percussion instruments, modern drums include a tenor drum, snare drum, bass drum, toms and a combination of crash, ride and hi-hat cymbals.

The large bass drum, with two heads, stands upright on its side and is struck with felt-padded sticks to produce a low, resonant sound. It may also be carried in military and marching bands.

The snare drum, also called side drum, is double-headed having one or more wires, called snares, stretched across the bottom head to increase reverberation. The snare drum appears for effect in orchestral writing, but today we associate it most strongly as the principal drum in the rhythm section of popular music.

The hi-hat cymbals, like the bass drum, are sounded through the action of foot pedals, leaving the hands free to strike the other instruments with sticks or brushes.