Kettle drums are percussion instruments that are made up of a bowl-shaped shell with a natural or synthetic skin stretched over it. The bowl is hollow and usually made out of brass, copper, or fiberglass. The drum head is attached with ropes or adjusting screws to control the tension, which can be changed to vary the pitch. Ethnic kettledrums are usually played with sticks or beaters, although kettledrums can also be played with hands.
Kettle drums evolved from military drums to become a staple of the classical orchestra by the last third of the 18th century. Today, they are used in many types of musical ensembles including concert, marching percussion, and even some rock bands.
