54 BULLETIN 136, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



DRUMS 



Drums are of three distinct types: Kettledrums, having a head 

 of hide or other substance stretched across the opening of a hemi- 

 spherical vessel; drums with one head, having a head stretched 

 across one end of a hollow cylinder or frame; and drums with two 

 heads, having heads stretched across both ends of a hollow cylinder 

 or both sides of a circular frame. As developments of the two last- 

 named classes we have drums with jingles and tambourines, and as 

 other forms of instruments with vibrating membranes we have the 

 curious " onion flute " and still more unusual throat horn. 



The frame or shell of a drum may be of various materials. Ex- 

 hibited specimens show drum shells of pottery, metal, wood bent or 

 turned into shape, and logs which are either hollowed to form an 

 open cylinder or scooped out to form a vessel across which the drum- 

 head is stretched. The human skull has been used as the frame and 

 also as the decoration of a drum. The material used for a drum- 

 head also shows a wide variety. Rawhide is a material commonly 

 used by uncivilized peoples, but the skin of the deer, pig, horse, 

 zebra, lizard, and snake appear on drums in this collection; a thin 

 hide resembling parchment is also used, as well as intestines and 

 paper. The method of stretching the head of the drum is an inter- 

 esting subject and varies with the environment of the people. It 

 is, of course, necessary that the hide be dampened, then fastened in 

 position, after which the drying produces the desired tension. In 

 dry, hot countries the drumhead may be fastened permanently to 

 the shell; but in a moist climate it must be frequently adjusted. The 

 most common method of holding a thin hide in place is by a " flesh 

 hoop," which is used on drums with either one or two heads. Lacings 

 are used in many instances extending from the head (or the flesh 

 hoop) to a ring of heavy rawhide around the base of the drum. 

 Sometimes the two heads are laced together with thongs. The ma- 

 terial used for heads on the Chinese drums is very thick and is 

 fastened with two rows of nails driven into the shell. One specimen 

 shows how the head was laced tightly while it was drying, after 

 which it was secured by nails. In many instances the heads are 

 glued to the shells. The heads of drums used by the American In- 

 dians are usually fastened in a permanent manner to the frames, 

 and the Indians, in order to increase the tension, hold the drum to 

 the warmth of the fire before using it. This tightens the skin in a 

 short time. Water is sometimes put in a drum to increase the 

 resonance. 



The manner of playing the drum shows almost as much variety 

 as the material of which the drum is made. Some drums are beaten 

 with the fingers, the palm, or the whole hand; others with slender 



