Matt Brennan
| Location | Glasgow, United Kingdom |
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| Introduction | This blog is about my research on the drum kit. The drum kit is a relatively new musical instrument - developed from the late nineteenth century onwards - with huge populist appeal but a disproportionately marginal status in the academy. Within its short life span, it is astonishing not only how the drum kit so profoundly shaped the music of the past century, but how its socio-cultural significance has often been dismissed by non-drummers. I propose a long overdue assessment of the role of the drum kit in musical culture, one which uses the instrument as a lens to investigate broader social issues and contribute to debates on musicianship, technology, race, gender, and performance. You can watch a short video introduction to my research by clicking here.
I wish to acknowledge the Leverhulme Trust, who supported this research from 1 October 2011 to 30 June 2012. I am now continuing the project in my new role as a Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. |