Rope-tension
Encyclopedia
Rope-tension is the oldest system for applying tension to drum
heads and was common until the late 19th Century.
A long rope (or less commonly, a series of ropes) is passed alternately between the top and bottom drum head hoops that are held to the shell by clamps which incorporate holes for the rope(s). The ropes are tightened by sewn-together loops, usually of leather, which are slid downward to tighten the drum heads and which remain in position by surface tension against the rope.
The drum heads thus tightened are not as tense as with the more modern single-tension
or double-tension
systems, but offer a historically deep tone in keeping with the heritage of certain music, such as pipe-and-drum corps, fife-and-drum corps, or bands of the Civil War
era.
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
heads and was common until the late 19th Century.
A long rope (or less commonly, a series of ropes) is passed alternately between the top and bottom drum head hoops that are held to the shell by clamps which incorporate holes for the rope(s). The ropes are tightened by sewn-together loops, usually of leather, which are slid downward to tighten the drum heads and which remain in position by surface tension against the rope.
The drum heads thus tightened are not as tense as with the more modern single-tension
Single-tension
Single-tension is one of several ways to apply the necessary tension to drum heads. Single-tension systems largely replaced the ancient rope-tension methods in the late 19th Century and are still used today in lower-priced drums for student use....
or double-tension
Double-tension
Double-tension is a method of applying tension to drum heads.Drum manufacturers use several methods to apply tension to drum heads; the preferred way is to tighten the heads with a hoop that is held tight to the drum shell with a number of individual threaded rods which connect to stanchions...
systems, but offer a historically deep tone in keeping with the heritage of certain music, such as pipe-and-drum corps, fife-and-drum corps, or bands of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
era.