Medieval Military Style Drums

Medieval-style drums feature two rope-tuned skin drum heads that are rolled and stitched. A snare is attached to the top head. This type of drum has a long history and is considered a form of military drum. Medieval drums were traditionally used to mark time for marching, or for signaling troupes during military confrontations. In England during the Renaissance, similar side drums were known as tabors. In England, the shallow tabor drum (which is associated with the American war of independence) is sometimes called a tom-tom. In France during the 18th century, they were known as tambours, or tabret. These drums are strongly associated with the political resistance and rebellion against the French monarchy.

Military drums were often used in combination with a wooden or metal pipe. Both instruments were played by a single individual. The 3-hole pipe was held and played with one hand, while the other hand held the drum stick and played the tabor which hung from the wrist, shoulder, or arm. Such snare drums were used in military bands until the 19th century, when it became an orchestral instrument. Today, medieval-style snare drums are often used in parades and processions, or played by drummers to accompany other medieval period instruments.