How the rototom makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the rototom belongs to the struck drums: a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
More broadly it is one of the membranophones (drums), where sound comes from a vibrating stretched membrane.
Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.
From Wikipedia
The rototom is a shell-less drum developed by Al Payson and Michael Colgrass that is able to change pitch by rotating its drumhead around a threaded metal ring. Unlike many types of drums, rototoms are designed to have a variable definite pitch leading composers to write specific notes for them as pitched percussion instruments. They are also often used to extend the tom range of a standard drum kit.
Other struck drums
Frequently asked questions
What does a rototom sound like?
As one of the struck drums, its sound comes from the way a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
What type of instrument is the rototom?
It is classified as struck drums (Hornbostel–Sachs 211.311).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q1515888 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Rototom – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Andreas Hünnebeck – CC BY 3.0