Originally, they were large agricultural riddle sieves used for winnowing corn, made from sheepskin stretched across a wooden frame.

Agricultural workers found these made excellent percussion instruments, and developed unique rhythms and playing styles.

John Davey of Zennor (1812–1891), one of the last people with some traditional knowledge of the Cornish language, describes "a wooden hoop covered with sheep-skin, used for taking up corn.

The first mention of an English sieve tambourine comes from John Davey of Zennor (1812–1891), the last native speaker of the Cornish language; he describes, "a wooden hoop covered with sheep-skin, used for taking up corn.

Riddle Drums historically were made from a crude wooden frame and sheepskin most likely due to animal availability, while modern ones tend to use goatskin as they are more durable.

The reason the unique playing style developed is most likely because thin, tight skins would not survive the agricultural process and the other uses Riddle Sieves were put to, "filling sacks with grain, holding wool, when carded and ready for the spinning wheel, or feathers plucked three time a year".

Also the nature of traditional English music, such as jigs and hornpipes, which require a heavy accentuated beat to inform the dancers when to place their feet.

In the 1930s, a man named Alfie Tuck from Bridport, Dorset was recorded playing a riddle drum with a stick, accompanied by a melodeon player.

It was beaten with a double-ended stick, then, particularly during step-dancing, it was vibrated by wetting the thumb and running it across the head of the drum.