A musician hits a drum with a drumstick

When a musician hits a drum with a drumstick, several things happen.

1. The musician holds the drumstick in their hand and positions it correctly to strike the drum. They may hold it towards the middle or towards the end, depending on the type of sound they want to produce.

2. The musician brings the drumstick down towards the drumhead, usually aiming for the center or a specific spot.

3. Upon impact, the drumstick transfers its energy to the drumhead, creating vibrations. The force of the strike causes the drumhead to deform and then quickly rebound, creating a sound wave.

4. The sound wave travels through the air and reaches our ears. The pitch, volume, and timbre of the sound depend on various factors, such as the size of the drum, the tension of the drumhead, and the force applied by the musician.

5. Simultaneously, the drumhead not only produces sound but also transfers some of the energy to the drum shell and other drumhead areas, causing them to vibrate as well. This adds depth and resonance to the overall sound.

6. The musician can control the sound further by adjusting the force, angle, and location of the drumstick strike. Lighter strikes produce softer sounds, while harder strikes produce louder sounds. Varying the angle and location of strikes creates different overtones and harmonics.

Overall, when a musician hits a drum with a drumstick, they initiate a chain reaction of events that result in the creation of sound, which is then heard by the listeners.