Tabor Drums

The Tabor drum is a traditional form of military marching drum that has two heads. The word "tabor" stems from the Latin word for drum. When we speak of tabor drums today, we generally refer to the two-headed squat drums that are associated with the Fife and Drum. Tabor drums have a thin shell which resembles that of a frame drum. This shell was traditionally made of tin, in order to produce a lightweight instrument that could be carried and played for long periods of time. Advancements in technology now allow the shells to be made of wood, as with frame drums. The drum heads are usually rope-tuned and feature a snare on one side. Players typically hang the tabor by a strap from their forearms (somewhere between the elbow and wrist) and use a single stick to strike the snared head. The drum is positioned so that the heads are essentially perpendicular to the ground. Tabors should never be played on a drum stand, because this would muffle their sound.