Abstract: An impact pad with a unique irregular shape that protects the drum head while allowing it to smoothly flex reducing drum head distortion for enhanced sound projection.

Abstract: A self-aligning bass drum beater that allows the drummer to play without the need to make any adjustments to the beater. Because it is self-aligning, it remains centered when impacting the bass drum head, producing maximum sound projection. The beater also has two different contact surfaces 180.degree. apart which may be selectively rotated to create different sounds when striking the head of a bass drum.

Abstract: A self-aligning bass drum beater that allows the drummer to play without the need to make any adjustments to the beater. Because it is self-aligning, it remains centered when impacting the bass drum head, producing maximum sound projection.The beater also has two different contact surfaces 180.degree. apart which may be selectively rotated to create different sounds wren striking the head of a bass drum.

Abstract: A drum key having an elongated drum key shaft. The drum key shaft has a non-circular bore at an open end. A longitudinal bore axis of the non-circular bore is preferably aligned with a centerline axis of the drum key shaft. A torquing wing is integrally formed with the drum key shaft. A pair of elongated arcuate prongs are integrally formed with and extend outward from a neck which extends from an upper wing surface of the torquing wing. Prong tips of the arcuate prongs are spaced apart from each other. The arcuate prongs have inner arcuate surfaces which face or oppose each other. To prevent fracture or failure when the arcuate prongs are spread apart, stops extend from the upper wing surface and are positioned at a fixed distance designed to limit deflection of the arcuate prongs.