Drum

This is an accepted version of this page The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments.

Drums are the world's oldest and most ubiquitous musical instruments, and the basic design has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years.

Drums are usually played by striking with the hand, a beater attached to a pedal, or with one or two sticks with or without padding.

Drums acquired even divine status in places such as Burundi, where the karyenda was a symbol of the power of the king.

In the Western musical tradition, the most usual shape is a cylinder, although timpani, for example, use bowl-shaped shells.

Single-headed drums typically consist of a skin stretched over an enclosed space, or over one of the ends of a hollow vessel.

On modern band and orchestral drums, the drumhead is placed over the opening of the drum, which in turn is held onto the shell by a "counterhoop" (or "rim"), which is then held by means of a number of tuning screws called "tension rods" that screw into lugs placed evenly around the circumference.

[5] These methods are rarely used today, though sometimes appear on regimental marching band snare drums.

Similarly, the tabla is tuned by hammering a disc held in place around the drum by ropes stretching from the top to bottom head.

Double-ply drumheads dampen high frequency harmonics because they are heavier and they are suited to heavy playing.

Drums made with alligator skins have been found in Neolithic cultures located in China, dating to a period of 5500–2350 BC.

As a discipline, drumming concentrates on training the body to punctuate, convey and interpret musical rhythmic intention to an audience and to the performer.

For example, during a war between Qi and Lu in 684 BC, the effect of drum on soldiers' morale is employed to change the result of a major battle.

They used an early version of the snare drum carried over the player's right shoulder, suspended by a strap (typically played with one hand using traditional grip).

In the mid-19th century, the Scottish military started incorporating pipe bands into their Highland regiments.

[12] During pre-Columbian warfare, Aztec nations were known to have used drums to send signals to the battling warriors.

[13] The Rig Veda, one of the oldest religious scriptures in the world, contains several references to the use of the Dundhubi (war drum).