Definition: A percussive musical instrument spanned with a thin covering on at least one end for striking, forming an acoustic chamber, affecting what materials are used to make it; a membranophone.
Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look!
Now, you've got a really good definition there from the dictionary – quite precise, I must say! Let’s break that down and see if we can make it even clearer.
Essentially, "drum" means a musical instrument, a wonderful sound-maker indeed! It’s all about rhythm, beat, and a joyful creed.
Let's unpack those words:
Percussive:
That just means you
hit
it! It makes a noise when you tap or strike with your hand or stick. Think of the way you might clap your hands together – that’s percussive too!
Musical Instrument:
It's designed to create music, isn't it? To add a beat and make us want to dance and move within it.
Spanned with a thin covering…:
This is key! You see that stretched skin or hide? That’s the
membrane
. It vibrates when you hit it, creating the sound we hear – this part makes it a
membranophone
.
Acoustic Chamber:
The drum's shape helps amplify the sound. It creates a space where the vibrations can really bounce around and get louder!
Materials Used to Make It:
Drums are made from all sorts of things - wood, metal, animal hides... each giving it a unique tone!
So, in short, a drum is a tool for making music, using a stretched skin that vibrates when you hit it.
Do you have any questions about this? Would you like me to give you some examples of different types of drums – snare drums, bass drums, congas...?