Whether it is early man, deep in the forest pounding on a hollowed out log, trying to communicate with his neighbor or it is Ringo Starr beating out Beatles riffs on his drum set; mankind has always had a love affair with the drum. It is the oldest instrument in the world and it predates even the wheel!

The drum is a simple tool devised by the creative, early minds of our primitive ancestors. The history of drums goes way back. They used them to warn of danger and to communicate, long before the telephone was ever thought of. The drum started in Africa, where early man would use them to communicate with other tribes that were off in the distance. Its uses have varied over the years. It can be used to command troops in the field, entertain or used to just get people dancing, swinging and shaking.

The drum is always a simple chamber, in which an animal skin is tightened to form the drumhead. By striking the drumhead, amplified sounds are produced through vibrations in the shell. The drum is a unique instrument in that has appeared throughout history from one end of the globe to another. Drums have evolved with every civilization, each era using them for different or similar tasks.

Drums come in a multitude of shapes & sizes including one ended, double ended, frame drums, slit drums, log drums, tuned drums, metal drums, kettle drums & talking drums. There are field drums, which are played in marching bands. Snare drums, which provide rhythm in orchestras. Bongo drums are used in folk and popular music. Conga drums are used in Latin-American music. The timpani and the kettledrums are the only drums that can be tuned to a definite pitch. They are also used in symphony orchestras. Bass drums resonate with a deep full tune. Marching bands that perform at football matches and parades usually have at least one big bass drum. Then there is a drum kit, which is played in all types of music. A drum kit is also known as a drum set.

You job this week is to create a drum. Any kind of drum and post it here!

Birgit	Boop	Caity

Cindi	Jen	Jeri

Kate	Lana	Mary Lou

Nancy	Paula	Sharon