Abstract: An inexpensive drum which is pitch variable over at least a fifth includes an elongated hollow cylinder cardboard shell with a drum head extending radially beyond the shell positioned at each end and a substantially inelastic cord threaded under tension to alternate between hooks connected to heads on opposite ends of the drum. The cord is spaced apart from the outer circumference of the shell and the drum tone may be selectively modified by manually squeezing the cord toward the drum shell. Each drum head includes a rigid ring assembly having a pair of planar standard hardboard rings which are stapled together to sandwich a membrane therebetween. Nails are passed through the rings toward the opposite end of the drum with the nail ends being looped to form hooks for receiving the cord.