Final answer:
Previous drum methods in popular music evolved into the modern drum-set in response to the need for louder sound and more conveniences, a statement that is mostly true. This development was influenced by the blending of electric instruments and different musical genres that helped shape rock 'n' roll as a powerful new genre.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that early methods of using drums in popular music were primitive and clumsy is not entirely accurate. The evolution of the modern drum-set we see today in rock music was indeed prompted by the need for louder volumes and a more compact, convenient setup; however, to describe previous methods as 'primitive and clumsy' negates the complex rhythms and techniques developed over centuries in various musical cultures.
Early rock drummers did innovate by integrating elements drawn from different traditions, accommodating a plethora of influences from gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B to create a powerful, driving rhythm that became synonymous with rock 'n' roll.
The combination of electric instruments and traditional rhythm and blues played a significant role in establishing rock 'n' roll as a new musical genre. Instruments had to evolve to be heard over the crowd in larger venues. This development is mirrored in the adaptation of instrument use in other music styles, such as bluegrass and early hip hop, where musicians needed to be able to produce louder sounds to fit within the given venue and to be heard over other instruments. The emergence of rock 'n' roll not only shaped the sound of music but cultural perceptions and practices as well.