Drum
a musical instrument formed by stretching parchment over the heads of a cylinder of wood or over a bowlshaped metallic vessel. The skin of the ass is a very superior article for the purpose. There are three kinds of drums: (1) The long drum or bass drum with two heads, held laterally and played on both ends with stuffed-knob drumsticks. (2) The side-drum, having two heads, the upper one only being played on by two sticks of wood; the lower head has occasionally strings of catgut stretched across its surface, and then it is called a snare drum. (3) The kettle-drum always employed in pairs. Of these (1) DRUMFISH is the ordinary drum used by an infantry or marching band. It is employed mainly to mark the time, and also to increase the fortes. The big drum, or grosse caisse, of the modern orchestra, is a modification of the ordinary drum, with the diameter greatly increased, and the length of the cylinder lessened. It is struck on one side only. (2) Is the sidedrum of the fife and drum bands. It is occasionally employed in the orchestra for special effects. (3) Are either the small kettle-drums of the cavalry band, played on horseback; or the proper orchestral drums, larger in size, but similar in construction. The tambourine is a species of drum, consisting of a single skin on a frame or vessel open at bottom. The heads are tightened by cords and braces, or by rods and screws.
The drum was a martial instrument among the ancient Egyptians, as the sculptures of Thebes testify. Their long drum was like the Indian tam-tam, and was beaten by the hand. The invention of the drum is ascribed to Bacchus, who, according to Polygenus, gave his signal of battle by cymbal and drum.