Abstract: A reduced volume drumhead has a layer of porous material and a ring of compressible material. The ring of compressible material is fixed to the underside of the layer of porous material in a substantially centered or coaxial position with the porous material stretched across a hoop in tension. The ring may be formed of a foam or similar material with compressibility and stretchability under tension and defines an open central area of the drumhead for striking. The ring may be formed of segments and thus include one or more circumferential breaks with spacing. The drumhead provides natural tonal characteristics and has a natural feel when struck.

Abstract: A drum key includes a shank portion and defines a top hole for receiving an elongate rod, such as a drumstick. A distal end of the shank includes a socket engageable with a tension rod in a drum. A drumstick is insertable through the hole of the drum key to form a torquing wrench in situ. When formed, the drumstick forms a cross member that is used to apply a torquing force about the axis defined by the shank. Once used, the drumstick can be removed, yielding a low profile drum key that is portable.

Abstract: A snare unit formed from film material includes a plurality of slots that define segments. The snare unit is attachable relative to a drumhead with a surface of the film flat against a surface of the drumhead. In the attached position, one or more of the segments vibrates against the drumhead when the drumhead is struck to produce a snare-like audible sound. In a drumhead with reduced volume, the snare unit is positioned flat against one or more layers of a porous material to define a drumhead and attached such that a portion of the snare unit vibrates against a surface of the porous material when the drumhead is struck, thereby producing a snare-like sound having a volume reduced relative to a standard drumhead.

Abstract: A reduced volume drumhead has a layer of porous material and a ring of compressible material. The ring of compressible material is fixed to the underside of the layer of porous material in a substantially centered or coaxial position with the porous material stretched across a hoop in tension. The ring may be formed of a foam or similar material with compressibility and stretchability under tension and defines an open central area of the drumhead for striking. The ring may be formed of segments and thus include one or more circumferential breaks with spacing. The drumhead provides natural tonal characteristics and has a natural feel when struck.

Abstract: A snare unit formed from film material includes a plurality of slots that define segments. The snare unit is attachable relative to a drumhead with a surface of the film flat against a surface of the drumhead. In the attached position, one or more of the segments vibrates against the drumhead when the drumhead is struck to produce a snare-like audible sound. In a drumhead with reduced volume, the snare unit is positioned flat against one or more layers of a porous material to define a drumhead and attached such that a portion of the snare unit vibrates against a surface of the porous material when the drumhead is struck, thereby producing a snare-like sound having a volume reduced relative to a standard drumhead.

Abstract: Eyebolt mounting devices are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an eyebolt bracket assembly for mounting a musical instrument to a rod. The assembly has a bracket having a first side having a first opening, a second side having a second opening, and a top side having a third opening. The bracket houses an eyebolt member having a threaded portion and an eye opening portion. The eye opening portion has an eye opening, an outer surface, and inner surface. A spring is disposed on the threaded portion and to apply a variable tension force to the eyebolt member. The threaded portion passes through the third opening and receives a washer and a fastener. The eyebolt member is held to the bracket by the fastener and is movable within the bracket.

Abstract: Tunable cajón devices, including tuning and adjustment during a performance, are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a tunable cajón device wherein internal strings or cords under tension may be tuned via the manual manipulation of tuners accessible via a top surface of the cajón. As such, a cajón player may view tuner position and adjust the tuner from the traditional playing position. Adjustments (i.e., tuning of internal strings) may be done before, during, or after a performance.

Abstract: A mounting assembly configured for detachably mounting a percussion instrument to an instrument stand is disclosed. The assembly has an instrument mounting assembly that has a clamp bracket, a clamp, and a wing screw. An instrument is held to the instrument mounting assembly by placing a mountable portion of the instrument between a set of notches carved out of a first and a second side of the clamp bracket and a clamp. The instrument is secured in the bracket by screwing the wing nut through a hole in a third side of the clamp bracket to cause the clamp to apply a force against the mountable portion of the instrument such that the instrument is held in place between the notches and a groove of the clamp.

Abstract: A snare cajón percussion instrument is disclosed. The instrument comprises a closed frame body having a plurality of sides, each side having a top portion, a bottom portion, an inner portion, and an outer portion. A rigid striking surface is securely affixed to the top portions of the plurality of sides. A snare apparatus having a brace, a fastener, and at least one snare element is securely attached to the inner portion of a first side of the frame body via the fastener and is configured to allow the snare element to alternatively contact and not contact the striking surface to produce a snare sound. The instrument may have a second striking surface that does not contact the snare apparatus and produces a cajón sound.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses that allow for a high-hat mounted tambourine musical instrument to be muted are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a mutable tambourine jingle assembly that can be permanently engaged with the press of a button or otherwise. As such, the need for a user to physically hold the tambourine or an attached lever (e.g., a foot pedal) to mute the jingle assembly is obviated. In another aspect of the present disclosure, apparatuses are provided that facilitate a user simultaneously muting all of the jingles of a hi-hat mounted tambourine.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses that allow for a high-hat mounted tambourine musical instrument to be muted are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a mutable tambourine jingle assembly that can be permanently engaged with the press of a button or otherwise. As such, the need for a user to physically hold the tambourine or an attached lever (e.g., a foot pedal) to mute the jingle assembly is obviated. In another aspect of the present disclosure, apparatuses are provided that facilitate a user simultaneously muting all of the jingles of a hi-hat mounted tambourine.