Description

Two goat skin heads are affixed to a wooden frame using thread rope. A thread snare is attached to one of the heads. The playing surface is approximately 11.5 inches in diameter. The drum is about 4.5 inches deep. Each drum is accompanied by a playing stick. This is an historically reproduced instrument designed by The Early Music Shop of Bradford, England. The English term “tabor” is derived from the Latin word for drum. In contemporary usage, the term “tabor” or “two-headed squat drums” is commonly associated with the Fife and Drum corps. The thin shell of the tabor resembles a frame drum shell with two heads. Traditionally, the shell is made of tin, enabling the lightweight instrument to be carried and played for extended periods. The heads are typically rope-tuned with a snare on one side. Players typically suspend the drum from their forearm while striking the snared head with a single stick. A strap is attached from the forearm, positioned between the elbow and wrist, to suspend the tabor. It is imperative to avoid playing the tabor on a drum stand, as this would diminish the sound. Today, tabors are known by various names that reflect the cultures that play them and the different sizes of drums.