The drum is generally used as a musical instrument and is part of the percussion group, and is technically known as a “membranophone”.
A drum consists of at least one membrane, which is known as a drum skin or drumhead that is stretched over a shell and is either struck with implements such as drumsticks or parts of the player’s hands or body.
Drums are probably the oldest and most commonly used musical instrument in the world, and their basic design has not changed for thousands of years. The earliest drums are thought to be from 6000 BC.
As well as employing drums as musical instruments, they have also been used through the ages as a means of communication, by using drum beats as signals. In Africa, drums have been used for communication between tribes over long distances, and in Sri Lanka, drums have been used as a means of communication between the state and the community for over 2500 years.
Drums have also been used by the military, and were used by Japanese troops to motivate the soldiers and to set a marching pace and signal orders. Similarly, The Swiss mercenary foot soldiers used an early form of “snare” drum, which was carried over the player’s right shoulder, and from which the modern word “drum” was first coined.
Traditional drums emit an “un-tuned” sound, but some modern drums can be tuned to a pre determined pitch.
A drum consists of at least one membrane, which is known as a drum skin or drumhead that is stretched over a shell and is either struck with implements such as drumsticks or parts of the player’s hands or body.
Drums are probably the oldest and most commonly used musical instrument in the world, and their basic design has not changed for thousands of years. The earliest drums are thought to be from 6000 BC.
As well as employing drums as musical instruments, they have also been used through the ages as a means of communication, by using drum beats as signals. In Africa, drums have been used for communication between tribes over long distances, and in Sri Lanka, drums have been used as a means of communication between the state and the community for over 2500 years.
Drums have also been used by the military, and were used by Japanese troops to motivate the soldiers and to set a marching pace and signal orders. Similarly, The Swiss mercenary foot soldiers used an early form of “snare” drum, which was carried over the player’s right shoulder, and from which the modern word “drum” was first coined.
Traditional drums emit an “un-tuned” sound, but some modern drums can be tuned to a pre determined pitch.