Drums

Definition

A musical instrument consisting of one or two stretched membranes, called heads, held taut across a bowl-shaped or tubular frame, called a shell.

History

Drums are found throughout the world, in practically every culture, and are known to have existed since at least 6000 BC. Almost everywhere they have strong ceremonial, sacred, or symbolic associations. In much of Africa certain drums symbolize and protect tribal royalty and are often housed in sacred dwellings. In Europe, timpani were associated with royalty as late as the 17th century. Throughout Central Asia and Siberia and among some Native American tribes of North America, shallow frame drums with one or two heads serve as ritual instruments for shamans (medicine men).

The tambourine, a single-headed frame drum with or without jingling metal disks set in its frame, is traditionally a woman's instrument in Islamic countries, as it was in ancient and prehistoric times and in medieval Europe.

In addition, drums frequently are used for signaling. The talking drums of Africa imitate the pitch patterns of language and transmit messages over many miles. The snare drum, or side drum, used in European infantry regiments, coded instruction calls to soldiers.

Cultural Uses

The musical use of drums varies from simple timekeeping to the carrying of complex rhythms and counterrhythms. In Islamic and Indian classical music, drums provide intricate rhythms to accompany a melody. In Africa, ensembles of drummers play elaborate rhythmic patterns superimposed on one another, all of different lengths and timing, held together by the playing of the master drummer.