Abstract: A drum head tuning apparatus for tuning a drum or similar percussion instrument is disclosed. The invention includes a distensible bladder having an annular shape that is disposed between the drum hoop and the rigid outer circumferential lip of the drum head. When the head is mounted to the drum shell and the hoop is locked down by tensioning members to the lugs on the outside of the shell, air is pumped into the bladder to increased the bladder's volume. The expanding bladder displaces the circumferential lip and consequently pulls the drum head tighter over the opening in the shell to raise the pitch of the drum. Conversely, releasing air pressure from the bladder allows the stretched drum head to spring back thereby releasing tension and lowering the pitch of the drum.

Abstract: A combination composition drum comprising a drum shell having cylindrical sections located in axially end-to-end positions; at least a first section consisting of wood and at least second and third sections consisting of metal; drumhead means on the drum; means for retaining the drumhead means on the drum, including flange means at axial end of the drum, retainer means on one the sections, and adjustable tensioning means interconnecting the flange means and retainer means.

Abstract: A tunable drum is provided, having drum body comprised of first and second parts adjustable relative to each other such that the first part may be moved either towards or outwardly away from the second part. The skin of the drum is fastened to the second part of the drum body and by adjusting the position of the first part relative to the second part, the tension of said skin across the body may be varied, and the pitch or the drum varied.The first part of the body may comprise an upper rim of the body, with the rim being moveable either upwardly or radially outwardly relative to the second part of the body. In the latter case, the rim is provided with an expansion joint to permit the outward expansion of the rim. The rim is adjusted by means of an array of threaded rotatable bolts extending through the body to engage the rim and push it outwardly when the bolts are rotated.

Abstract: In construction of a drum in which at least one open end of a cylindrical drum shell is closed by a drum head which is held in tension by assistance of a fastening element such as a suspension ring, opposite fastening elements are connected to each other by long tubes which are directly and mechanically connected to the drum shell. Not only the long tubes but also the drum shell shares mechanical load generated by tensioning of the drum head so as to elongate the life of the long tubes.

Abstract: A mounting and resonance adjusting bracket is disclosed for use with drums of the type comprising a hollow drum shell, a plurality of lugs, a drum head fitted over at least one end of the shell, and a counterhoop fitted over the drum head and adjustably secured to the lugs. The bracket comprises a steel band to be secured in a position substantially surrounding a drum shell and having a split portion with bent ends movable between an opened position and a closed position and operated by a threaded screw member. The steel band has a soft elastomeric covering along its upper edge and notches along its lower edge sized and spaced to fit over the drum lugs. A substantially U-shaped plate member is adjustably secured on the steel band having elongated slots on opposite ends thereof and threaded members in the slots securing the plate member to the band. A rod shaped bumper member is secured on the plate member for engaging the drum shell.

Abstract: A snare drum having an improved resonant, sensitive and harmonic sound. The snare drum comprises a head end, a snare end is substantially circular at its head end while being increasingly larger in transverse cross-sectional shape proceeding from the head end towards the snare end. An indentation adjacent the head end allows a drum skin to be positioned within a hoop and tightened to secure the skin and hoop without binding.

Abstract: A drum head is held over the open end of a drum body by a drum hoop passing around the edge of the drum head. A lug on the side of the drum body has an axial opening which receives a lug nut. The lug nut has an axial threaded opening. A threaded bolt, which engages the drum head hoop, is tightened into the threaded opening of the lug nut and draws the drum hoop to tighten the drum head. A radial opening extends radially through the lug nut from the opening in the lug to the threaded opening for the bolt. An elastic bolt engaging and bolt rotation resisting chip in the radial opening engages the lug on the outside and the bolt in the lug nut opening for restraining rotation of the bolt. There may be a drum head at each end of the drum body, a respective lug near each drum head and a single element defining both lug nuts.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the tension on a drum head to change the pitch of the instrument during a performance. The apparatus may be configured to tension one drum or several drums simultaneously. The tensioning components of the apparatus are installed within the barrel of the drum and the apparatus is actuated by the performer using a control module which may incorporate a system for foot pedals, proximity switches, or photoelectric switches. The control module may be programmed to effect the alteration of drum pitch in variable increments and at variable speeds. The apparatus is electrically powered and is suitable for installation in any type of drum, including those with open-ended barrels.

Abstract: A drum includes a hollow drum body, a drum skin frame supported by the walls of the hollow drum body, a drum skin stretched on the drum skin frame, and a drum head frame tightly clamping the peripheral; edges of the drum skin frame and the drum skin. A damping member, disposed between the drum head frame and the drum skin frame, absorbs the vibrations of the two drum frames and filters out the sound they produce whenever the drum skin is beaten.

Abstract: A musical drum is reinforced by a stiffening ring which is placed inside the shell of the drum at the edge adjacent to the drum head, and is adjusted by a screw to provide internal tension in the drum shell to prevent its being squeezed when the drum head is tightened. The stiffening ring additionally forms the open head, the bearing edge, of a wooden drum into a truer round, i.e. cylindrical, shape. This provides more accurate and precise tuning.

Abstract: A multi-annular musical drum instrument formed from a plurality of axially aligned permanently connected rings. Each ring formed of a multi-annular ring of laminated plywood, a solid wood or other desireable material. Each ring is non-jointed and undivided in the circumferential direction so as to be formed of a single piece rather than a composite of sections so as to provide uniform vibratory characteristics. One or more of the rings functons as a sounding ring having a greater outer radius than the other shell rings. Such sounding rings receive a connection to a respective drum head. Two rings form outer rings of the cylindrical shell contacting the respective drum heads. Either or both of the two may be rounded to decrease the overtones of the drum head, pointed to increase the overtones of the drum head, or flat so as not to alter the overtones of the drum head.

Abstract: A a reinforced musical drum rim including a drum rim in which: a concavity is cut out of the underside of said drum rim; in said concavity is established a honeycomb-like reinforcement structure comprising a chain of hexagonally shaped reinforcements; a plurality of equally spaced screw hole units through which respective clamping screws are passable are disposed within the reinforcement structure so that deformation occuring in the drum rim due to the tightening of the clamping screws is prevented.

Abstract: A drum having a top head ring, a top head across the top head ring, a tensioning ring above the top head ring and having a downwardly directed annular flange inward of the top head ring and contacting the top head, and tensioning bolts for adjustable positioning of the tensioning ring with respect to the top head ring is disclosed. There is also a bottom head ring, a bottom head across the bottom head ring, a shell beween the top head and the bottom head, and tensioning rods for pulling the bottom head ring towards the tensioning ring to thereby tension the bottom head across the bottom edge of the shell, and at least one snare mechanism positionable under each head, the snare mechanism including snare wires positionable from edge to edge of the heads.

Abstract: A musical drum with a drum face, a wooden drum body and a buffer element. The buffer element is situated between the drum face and the drum body. The drum face includes a drumhead and a rim for clamping the drumhead across the buffer element by way of clamping screws. The pressure exerted by the drum head on the buffer element is absorbable by the buffer element.

Abstract: A pair of tension bolts for applying tension to a pair of drum heads are screwed individually into nuts. These nuts are held individually by means of a pair of lug bodies which are fixed to a drum shell. The lug bodies, which are formed by die casting, are connected to each other by means of a connecting member. The connecting member, which has a uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, is formed by pressing a metal plate with a predetermined length, or by cutting a metal pipe into a predetermined length. Two opposite end portions of the connecting member are fitted individually in openings at the respective end portions of the lug bodies. A hole is formed in each end portion of the connecting member. The lug bodies and the connecting member are connected so that projections on the lug bodies are fitted individually in the holes of the connecting member.

Abstract: A percussion instrument in the nature of a drum is disclosed having a shell-like body and a pair of elastic top and bottom drum heads. A hoop is provided to stretch the top drum head across the top of the drum body and a stretching wheel is provided for stretching the bottom drum head across the bottom of the drum body. The top and bottom drum heads vibrate at a pitch level proportional to the tension produced in each drum head. The stretching wheel is rotatably mounted on the top end of a shaft positioned below the drum body. A coupling wheel is threadably engaged to the shaft and is peripherally connected to the hoop by a set of elongated tension rods.

Abstract: A support device and/or holding device for a musical percussion instrument, particularly for the instrument body of a membranophone which has a resonator. The support device includes a rigid holding member fastened to a support for the instrument. A flexible connecting member is arranged between the rigid support member and the rigid holding member. The connecting member is of a non-metal material with vibration damping and/or vibration absorbing properties. The holding member is exclusively mounted on the outer side of the instrument body and the support body is mounted on the inner side of the instrument body. The flexible connecting member is composed of a part arranged between the support member and the inner side of the instrument body and of a part arranged between the holding member and the outer side of the instrument body. One of the parts engages into openings in the instrument body. Tie rods or anchoring rods extend through the opening between the holding member and the support member.

Abstract: A drum lug includes a lug case and a lug nut. The lug case is fixed to an outer surface of a drum body. A threaded hole with which the lug bolt is threadably engaged is formed in the center of the lug nut. The lug nut is housed in the lug case with one end portion of the lug nut being exposed outside the lug case. A spot-faced hole communicating with the threaded hole is formed in the center of an outer end face of the lug nut in a predetermined depth. The hole diameter of the spot-faced hole is set to be slightly larger than the major diameter of the threaded hole.

Abstract: A tunable shell-less, rimless drum utilizes a multiplicity of tuning assemblies positioned about the frame of a pretensioned or untensioned standard drum head. Each tuning assembly engages the frame and avoids tone impairing deformation of the drum membrane during tuning so as to preserve the natural tonal quality of the drum. A pivotably mounted lever at the bottom of the tuning assembly bears against a tuning band which engages the drum membrane, and cooperating notches on tuning band and lever retain the tuning band in a fixed position relative to the frame to prevent pitch variation or binding due to tuning band movement. A threaded rod slides along a slot in the assembly and threadably engages a lock nut positioned within a nut confinement slot to prevent unwanted loosening of the rod. The invention provides a tunable, compact, lightweight, rimless drum which has tuning convenience and tonal quality superior to most large, heavy shell type drums.

Abstract: A musical drum is disclosed having an outer cage to which both top and bottom counterhoops are connected in an independently adjustable manner. An intermediate hoop (16) is provided between the top and bottom counterhoops (20, 22) to which a plurality of adjusting bolt assemblies (34, 24) for the top and bottom counterhoops (20, 22) are connected. The adjusting bolt assemblies (34) for the bottom counterhoop (22) are circumferentially offset with respect to the adjusting bolt assembles (24) for the top counterhoop (20).

Abstract: For a snare drum, the drum heads at the ends of the drum body are secured to the drum body by respective drum hoops. The hoop at the beating end of the drum body is attached to the drum body by an odd number of attaching bolts that extend between the hoop and attachment fixtures on the side of the drum body, whereby the tension lines across the beaten drum head do not pass through the center of the drum head, but instead surround and define a polygonal area. The opposite drum head hoop is held by an even number of bolts and attachment fixtures on the drum body, whereby the tension lines on the second drum head pass through the center of the second drum head. A second wire or a plurality of sound wires in the form of a snappy is attached to the drum body and extends across the underside of the opposite drum head.

Abstract: A drum of the type having first and second drum heads on opposite ends thereof is provided with first and second bearing hoops, each such bearing hoop being associated with a respective one of the first and second drum heads. Each bearing hoop is provided with an annular bearing ring member which communicates with a respectively associated one of the drum heads, and a bearing hoop coupling means, which is affixed to the annular bearing ring member, and has a plurality of through-holes therein. The drum is further provided with first and second counter hoops, each such counter hoop being associated with a respective one of the drum heads, and provided with an annular counter hoop ring member having an annular bearing edge for communicating with an outward side of the annular drum head ring of its associated drum head. Counter hoop coupling means are affixed to the annular counter hoop ring member and are also provided with a plurality of through-holes therein.

Abstract: A percussion instrument includes a drum body and a percussion head movable with respect to and stretched over the drum body. A master tensioning member is provided for pulling the drumhead downward to enable a musician to vary the pitch of the sound produced when the drumhead is struck. The master tensioning member is operatively coupled to the drumhead, and is adaptable for use with drumheads of varying size. A lever system is provided for moving the master tensioning member vertically downwardly. A foot pedal is provided for enabling the user to actuate the lever system. The pedal includes an engaging tooth, and is swivelable to engage and disengage the tooth with complementary teeth to lock the pedal selectively in position. The pedal tooth thereby permits the user to adjust and fix the tension on the drumhead. The pedal is connected to the lever system by a movable fulcrum, which permits the user to exert a smooth, even force when depressing the pedal and actuating the lever system.

Abstract: A lug and lug nut combination for installation on the side of a body of a drum. The hollow lug has a pair of spaced apart shelves which define opposed, spaced apart abuttable surfaces. A lug nut is installed in the open end of the lug and includes a respective flange at each of the shelves defining the abuttable surfaces. A U-shaped spring wrapped around the lug nut is captured between the abuttable surfaces for preventing the lug nut from falling into or out of the lug and a window opening into the lug nut provides access to the threaded bolt inside the lug nut to hold the spring. The inward shelf contacts the inward flange of the lug nut and damps vibration.

Abstract: A drumhead which includes a polyester film having a marginal flange bonded in a channel presented by metal hoop. Fiber reinforced polyester resin is poured into the channel and embeds the edge of the drumhead flange upon hardening. An inturned lip on the outside wall of the channel provides an interference fit with the resin to securely hold it in the channel. The upper edge of the inside wall of the channel is beveled at the same angle as the drumhead flange to provide a flat surface for the drumhead to seal against. A special spring clip is applied within the channel to secure the butt joint between opposite ends of the hoop.

Abstract: The material constituting a drumming surface is anchored at its perimeter with epoxy to a supporting hoop. Between the hoop and tightening means there is located an O-ring of tension increasing material. When the tightening means is urged downwardly to increase the tension on the drumming surface, the tension increasing material distorts, partly laterally, thereby creating a tension which substantially increases the relative tension of the drumming surface material.

Abstract: An improved lug nut assembly for securing hoops to a drum is provided by a special retainer mechanism. A lug nut is held in an opening in the lug by a combination of a ridge portion preventing outward movement and a U-shaped spring which prevents the lug nut from slipping into the lug. The spring rests partially in a cutaway section of the lug nut and on an internal ridge within the lug.

Abstract: A drum head tensioning device includes an annular fitting supporting a screw for rotation on a radial axis of the drum. A cable is connected to the conventional tension hoop and to a nut threadably received on the screw. Rotating the screw tensions the cable and hence pulls down the hoop to tension the drum head.

Abstract: One of a pair of concentric ring hoops overlaps the other and holds the perimeter edge of a drum head vibratile element in tension between the mating overlapping faces of the hoops. The hoops are held together by a tensioning bolt threadable into a bracket connected to a lower hoop which has another skin stretched between a stepped inner annular groove on its inner face edge. A drum shell made of a composite of rigid foam interior spaced apart by a pair of epoxy impregnated carbon fibresheets is held by the lower second drum skin into enclosing engagement on its upper perimeter edge with an inner stop flange and vertical wall face of the inner hoop ring of the drum head vibratile skin assembly.

Abstract: A head tensioning mechanism (10) for varying the tension on a drum head (14) during play is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the head tensioning mechanism (10) incorporates a pair of paddles (52) extending along opposite sides of the drum body (28) such that the paddles (52) may be squeezed between the legs of the player for variably adjusting the head tension in response to the squeezing pressure applied by the player. A device for supporting the drum in an upright position and incorporating a treadle (82) for operating the variable head tensioning mechanism (10) in response to foot pressure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drum skin tightener includes a generally triangular bracket for mounting on the body of a drum near one end thereof, flanges on the body defining sockets for releasably and pivotally receiving lugs on the top end of a lever. A bolt extending through a slot in the conventional skin retaining rim engages a pin extending transversely of the lever in the bracket, so that rotation of the lever in the bracket either secures the drum skin on the body or permits removal thereof from the body. Such an arrangement permits replacement of a drum skin without changing the tension on the retaining rim by the bolts.

Abstract: An instrumental musical drum head lug assembly which has a kidney shaped pivot slot on the fastener portion. The pivot slot allows a dowel to be released by turning the securement bolt only a few turns. The pivot slot is wider than the diameter of the dowel, thereby allowing the latch to drop as the securement bolt is loosened. Then the lug can be pulled outwards, so as to release the tension on the tension rod. The slot also allows the lug to be opened so as to provide a wide clearance between the lug and the fastener.

Abstract: Musical percussion instrument of the drum type includes tensioning rods fitted at circumferentially spaced locations about the periphery of the drum. The drum includes a cylindrical shell with metallic rims fitted onto the outer edge of the shell. Each rod has a tubular central portion and threaded bolts screw-fitted into the outer end of the tubular portion. The outer ends of the rods are received by brackets which extend outwardly from each of the rims in circumferentially registered relation. A support post extends radially outward from the shell of the drum at a location corresponding to each tensioning rod and the outer end of the post engages the rod to brace the same. Each post is affixed to the shell at a vibratory nodal point which, as measured from the adjacent end of the shell, is approximately one-fifth the overall height of the shell.

Abstract: A drum head retainer (20) is provided which indicates the extent of tension applied to a drum head of a drum (10). The retainer comprises a casing (22) having a vertical channel (23) and an apertured side (24) which communicates with the vertical channel. The vertical channel terminates in an upper opening (26) and a lower opening (28). Screws (30) are used to attach the retainer to the side wall (12) of the drum. A threaded bolt (32) passes downwardly into the vertical channel through the upper opening thereof. The bolt is threaded into a flanged nut (34) having a predetermined length. The upper end of the bolt is adapted to pass through means (18), such as a hoop or rim, for providing tension to the drum head. A spring (42) is maintained in the casing between the upper opening and the flange (38) of the nut. Indicating means (21) are provided on the apertured side and display a measure of tension applied to the drum head by means of the position of the top end (40) of the nut with respect thereto.

Abstract: A drum tensioning system adapted to place a minimum of stress on the drum shell has a plurality of C-shaped clips acting on the counterhoop to apply tension to the drum head. The head passes over a cylindrical side wall which has flanges extending radially outwardly. The tensioning bolts pass through apertures in the flanges directly beneath the C-clips and are threaded into the base of the C-clips. The C-clips and counterhoop have mating surfaces which provide stability to the system. The side wall is attached to the drum shell.

Abstract: A tunable quick release mechanism for securing at least one drum head to a drum shell in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The mechanism may be used with a drum having either one drum head or two drum heads. An anchor affixed to the drum shell is connected to grip by means of lever. A pivoting lug fitted within retaining grooves formed within the grip is connected to means to clamp the drum head to the drum shell. Spring means may be used to secure the pivoting lug within the retaining grooves.

Abstract: A tensioning apparatus for adjusting the tension of the bottom head of a drum, by acting at the top of the drum. A movable element pivots up and down on the body of the drum. A bolt, which engages the bottom drum head tightening hoop of the drum, is threadedly connected to a pin which is anchored at the lower jaw of the movable element. A threaded rod, connected to the upper jaw of the movable element, extends upwardly. The connection to the threaded rod is further from the pivot pin of the movable element than is the connection to the pin for the bolt. An adjustment nut with a threaded bore receives the threaded rod and the nut extends to the top of the drum. A coarse tension adjustment in the bottom drum head is set with the bolt, and a fine adjustment is set by rotating the nut at the top of the drum.

Abstract: A drum head assembly for use in drums, tambourines, banjos, or the like. A polymeric film is stretched across an annular member having a U-shaped channel formed in cross-section along its edge. The film is stretched and forced into the channel by plug member and is adhesively bonded therein. The plug member extends above the channel and receives a second, similarly shaped annular member over its exposed edge to provide a finished surface as well as an easy means for attaching the assembly to a musical instrument shell.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a quick release drum head restraint for a musical drum. The restraint consists of a pendulum unit and a toggle unit which enable the user to quickly remove and replace a drum head without significantly altering the tuning of the drum head. The pendulum unit includes a tension rod fastened at one end to the rim head and at the other end to a cylindrical pendulum which includes a bushing located at its center. The cylindrical pendulum fits inside the toggle unit and the bushing slides on an inclined plane or ramp within the toggle unit. The toggle units swivels or pivots at a pivot point to engage the cylindrical pendulum and enable the bushing to roll along the ramp. Thus, the drum head can be quickly removed by pivoting the toggle unit to release the pendulum unit and the new drum head can be installed by reinserting the pendulum unit in the toggle unit. Replacement of the drum head does not significantly alter the tuning of the drum head.

Abstract: A quick release drum head assembly having a flange over which the drum head is placed the flange including means to tension the drum head and secure the drum head assembly to a drum shell. Also disclosed is a constant height rim section assembly to fix the distance from the rim to the drum head regardless of the degree of tensioning of the drum head.

Abstract: A drum construction is provided with a bottom ring having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom at equally spaced locations about the circumference thereof for supporting tubes of proper length according the drum shell depth. The tubes have internal threads on both ends which accept the tension screws for connecting the top and bottom hoops to the ring. A drum shell is clamped between the bottom ring and the top hoop and is completely free of holes and does not have any hardware attached thereto thereby providing only a minimum dampening effect. The shell is located concentrically on the upper surface of the bottom ring by means of shaped washers which are held in place by lock nuts on the tube ends. Auxiliary support brackets may be clamped to adjacent tubes in spaced relation to the shell so as not to adversely affect the tonal characteristics of the shell.

Abstract: A drum hoop for a musical drum, at times referred to as a "counter hoop," which hoop includes a reinforcing channel member and a reinforcing rim. The drum counter hoop retains a drum head with an associated locking member, or ring, by fastening lugs or the like secured to the drum shell and by suitable fastening means such as threaded bolts with nut-type heads thereon, sometimes referred to as tension screws, or rods, which engage with the hoop. The lugs are internally threaded or provided with extensions for threads to engage with the bolts. The drum hoop and drum shell are, therefore, provided with means for adjusting or changing the tension of the drum head by tightening or loosening the bolts which changes the position of the hoop and the drum head locking member with respect to the drum shell. The reinforced construction permits the drum head to be provided with a very high tension without bending or breaking the drum hoop.

Abstract: A device for controlling the tension of a batter head on a bass drum includes a crossbar that is clamped to an annular ring which secures the drum head to the periphery of a drum shell, an operating arm pivotally mounted on the cross-bar, and tensioning means forming a biased roller assembly having a fulcrum member rotatably secured to the crossbar, a first end of the fulcrum member being adjustably connected to the operating arm by a turnbuckle or the like, a second end of the fulcrum member having rollers and being connected to the crossbar by a bias element so that lateral movement of the operating arm causes the fulcrum member to move the rollers across the drum head and change the tension of the head whereby the frequency of vibration or pitch at the drum head and, therefore, the sound of the drum can be modulated while the drum is being played.

Abstract: Drums have a truncated spherical sidewall section formed integrally with a truncated conical sidewall section. The spherical section is one-half to four-fifths the length of the drum body and it curves about a point located 20% to 40% of the distance between the ends of the drum body. The conical section slopes inward 30.degree. to 40.degree. from vertical. A cylindrical sidewall section extends between the spherical section and the end of the drum. A drum head is stretched across an end of the drum body by tightening bolts which extend through slots in a hoop surrounding the head. The bolts have threaded ends which are received in tapped rods rotatably mounted in the curled ends of sheet elements. The bolts pivot about an axis tangential to the drum body. Radially extending portions of the hoop have bent edges adjacent the bolt heads. The slots are formed in portions of the hoop which project toward the end of the drum.

Abstract: A suspension band musical drum system is provided allowing for the free vibration of the shell in response to vibrations from the drum head. A suspension band encircling the drum shell connects the hoops holding the drum heads in place without necessitating any piercing of the drum shell. The suspension band has a spacer ring attached to its inner surface. The spacer ring engages a slotted channel in the drum shell.

Abstract: A musician's drum wherein the diaphragms are tensioned by loading means extending from the diaphragm to a ring which is co-axial of the drum cylinder and is supported clear of the cylinder (shell) by struts extending to abutments near one end of the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved drum rim for a drum in which a portion of the periphery of the upright section of the rim is either omitted or substantially reduced.

Abstract: A composite drum head, comprising polyaramide fiber fabric impregnated with a rigidifying amount of epoxy polymer.

Abstract: One or more deadening elements are in contact with the underside of the drum head and are connected to a foot operated mechanism which moves the deadener or deadeners across the drum head thus varying the effective resonating area of the head so that the drum can be tuned while playing. As an example, the drum tuning can be changed from a bass drum to a concert tom. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of opposed, curved deadeners which are moved towards and away from one another in concentric relationship with the drum head.

Abstract: A drum hoop for a musical drum, at times referred to as a "counter hoop," which hoop includes a reinforcing channel member and a reinforcing rim. The drum counter hoop retains a drum head with an associated locking member, or ring, by fastening lugs or the like secured to the drum shell and by suitable fastening means such as threaded bolts with nut-type heads thereon, sometimes referred to as tension screws, or rods, which engage with the hoop. The lugs are internally threaded or provided with extensions for threads to engage with the bolts. The drum hoop and drum shell are, therefore, provided with means for adjusting or changing the tension of the drum head by tightening or loosening the bolts which changes the position of the hoop and the drum head locking member with respect to the drum shell. The reinforced construction permits the drum head to be provided with a very high tension without bending or breaking the drum hoop.