THE BASS DRUM
The bass drum is a large wooden shell, like a big cylinder over both ends (or “heads”) of which parchment (or skin) is stretched. This parchment is held down by hoops. The player loosens, or tightens, these “heads” by means of an arrangement of leather braces and tags working on a cord that is zigzagged around the cylinder.
The bass drum is struck with a stick ending in a soft, round knob. The bass drum may be used for noisy moments to imitate the firing of guns and the roll, or crash, of thunder and also to mark crescendos and climaxes. If played very softly, it is solemn and awe-inspiring.
The bass drum always stands sideways. The larger the drum, the more sonorous are the sounds.
THE TRIANGLE
The Triangle is a steel rod bent in a three-sided shape and left open at one angle. It is about seven inches each way and not quite an inch thick. It is hung by a string at the upper angle. This string the performer holds in his fingers so that the triangle hangs loosely. The performer hits the instrument with a small spindle-shaped bar of steel, called a “beater.”
The sound is clear as crystal. Sometimes it even seems silvery. It can play from the lightest pianissimo to the loudest fortissimo. The pitch is indefinite. Thus the triangle can be used in all keys and with all chords. In addition to simple notes, isolated notes and little groups of notes, the triangle can play the most complicated rhythms and even a tremolo.
Mixed with soft strings and woodwind instruments, the triangle is of charming effect.
Liszt made almost a solo part for this instrument in the accompaniment to his Concerto for the Pianoforte in E-flat.