鼓手在乐队中是演奏鼓的成员。通常指爵士鼓，在摇滚乐或流行乐中负责打击乐器旋律部份。鼓手主要负责掌控音乐的速度、力度、节奏框架以及风格等等。爵士鼓是以四肢演奏，右脚打大鼓，小鼓常左手负责，右手常hihat，左脚踩hihat踏垫控制hihat铜钹的开合程度，是一种需要神经拆开来演奏的乐器。(所以一般是三个踏垫加两支鼓棒演奏)

A drummer is a musician who plays drums, which includes a drum kit ("drum set" or "trap set", including cymbals) and accessory-based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a wide assortment of musical genres. The term percussionist applies to a musician who performs struck musical instruments of numerous diverse shapes, sizes and applications. Most contemporary western ensembles bands for rock, pop, jazz, R&B etc. include a drummer for purposes including timekeeping. Most drummers of this particular designation work within the context of a larger contingent (aka rhythm section) that may also include, keyboard (a percussion instrument) or guitar, auxiliary percussion (often of non western origin) and bass (bass viol or electric). Said ensembles may also include melodic based mallet percussion including: vibraphone, marimba or xylophone. The rhythm section, being the core metronomic foundation with which other melodic instruments, including voices, may present the harmonic/melodic portion of the material.