Drumhead

From AudioLexic

A drumhead is a membrane stretched over one or both of the open ends of a drum. The drumhead is struck with sticks, mallets, or hands so that it vibrates and the sound resonates through the drum. Some of the more prominent manufacturers of drum heads include Remo, Evans, Honsuy, Attack and Aquarian.

Originally, drumheads were made from animal skin. In 1956, Chick Evans invented the plastic drumhead. Plastic drumheads made from polyester are cheaper, more durable, and less sensitive to weather than animal skin heads, making them the most popular drumheads today. Despite the benefits of plastic heads, drummers in historical reenactment groups such as fife and drum corps use animal skin heads for historical accuracy. Skin heads are used on most hand drums, including djembes, frame drums and congas. Another common material used for drumheads is aramid fiber, such as kevlar. Fiber heads are used mostly in marching percussion, because of their ability to stand up to extreme tension as well as their unmatched durability.

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