Drum, hand drum

Definition

= musical instrument, consisting of a membrane, usually of animal skin, which was stretched over a shallow circular, triangular, or square frame; ► it was struck sharply with one or two hands, depending on where it was situated; it could be held in one hand, under the arm, or against the chest and struck with the other hand, or it could be held on the knees or the ground and struck with one or two hands; the fingers of one hand could be used to tighten or loosen the tension on the membrane as it was struck