KETTLEDRUM, the only kind of drum (q.v.) having a definite musical pitch. The kettledrum consists of a hemispherical pan of copper, brass or silver, over which a piece of vellum is stretched tightly by means of screws working on an iron ring, which fits closely round the head of the drum. In the bottom of the pan is a small vent-hole, which prevents the head from being rent by the concussion of air. The vellum head may be slackened or tightened at will .to produce any one of the notes within its compass of half an octave. Each kettledrum gives but one note at a time, and as it takes some little time to alter all the screws, two or three kettledrums, sometimes more, each tuned to a differ ent note, are used in an orchestra or band. The compass of the kettledrums collectively is not much more than an octave, from F below the bass stave upwards. When there are but two drums they are generally tuned to the tonic and dominant or to the tonic and subdominant. It is generally stated that Beethoven was the
first to treat the kettledrum as a solo instrument, but in Dido, an opera by C. Graupner performed at the Hamburg Opera House in 1707, there is a short solo for the kettledrum. The opening of the violin concerto and the scherzo of the ninth symphony may be recalled as two typical examples of Beethoven's use of the kettle drum.
The origin of the kettledrum is remote and must be sought in the East. The Romans knew the instrument well, as also did the Greeks, though the latter regarded it merely as a warlike instrument of barbarians. Thus Plutarch mentions that the Parthians, in order to frighten their enemies, in offering battle used not the horn or tuba, but hollow vessels covered with a skin, on which they beat, making a terrifying noise.