Percussion :: essays research papers

Drums are among the oldest musical instruments. The best cognize of percussion instruments, they are found throughout the world and in a great variety of shapes and sizes. A drum normally consists of a contend or other membrane, called a head, which is stretched over an enclosed space or over one or both ends of a hollow vessel. Exceptions implicate the African slit drum, make from a hollowed-out tree trunk, and the Caribbean steel drum, made from a metal barrel. Drums are usually vie by the hands or by one or two sticks. In most non-Western cultures drums have a symbolic function and are often employ in religious ceremonies. They are sometimes employ in send signals. The talking drums of Africa can imitate the inflections and pitch variations of a spoken style and are used for communicating over great distances.Many drums used in Western societies are of African, Arabic, or Turkish origin. The kettledrum was introduced into europium during the Crusades. The European tabor , derived from an African instrument and sometimes called a tambour, was a itty-bitty drum played with the right hand, while the left hand thumb a 3-hole flute. Across its center, the tabor often held a pinch, which produced a difficult vibration and sustained the sound between beats.The modern symphony orchestra employs a variety of drums. Kettledrums are the most common the bass drum, tenor drum, and snare drum, or side drum, are also sometimes used, along with tambourines and bongo drums on occasion. Among these, only the kettledrums produce sounds of definite pitch, which is adjustable. The tenor drum is a large deep drum with two heads that is played with wooden sticks. The large bass drum, also with two heads, stands upright on its side and is afflicted with felt-padded sticks. Bongo drums are small single-headed drums struck with the hands and usually played in sets of two or three.