tomtoms

Tomtoms are a family of drums used in various percussion contexts, including drum kits and marching ensembles. The term tom-tom commonly refers to pitched drums that can be tuned to distinct notes, allowing them to contribute melodic as well as rhythmic information. The name is widely believed to be onomatopoeic, imitating the drum's ringing tone, and entered popular music vocabulary in the early 20th century.

Most toms are shallow cylindrical shells with drumheads on both ends, made of wood or sometimes metal. They are mounted on stands or attached to a drum kit; floor toms are supported by legs. Shell and head materials, along with tension, determine the drum's pitch and sustain. Sizes vary, commonly from around 8 to 18 inches in diameter, with depths affecting tone and projection.

Tom-toms are struck with sticks or mallets; players tune and mute to control pitch and sustain. In genres such as rock, pop, jazz, and metal, they provide rhythmic accents, fills, and color, while in marching ensembles they contribute to the overall percussion texture. Typical kits include several toms of increasing diameter, producing a range of pitches that complement snare drums and bass drums.

Variants in the tom-tom family include rack toms and floor toms, as well as occasional single-headed designs in certain setups. The two-headed design remains common for tunable pitch and balanced resonance. The tom-tom lineage has roots in earlier percussion traditions, with the term and its modern use becoming widespread in Western music during the 20th century.