Prior to the doodad of tension rods African Drums drum skins were attached and tuned by rope systems such as that used on the Djembe or pegs and ropes such as that absorbed on Ewe Drums, a system rarely familiar with today, although sometimes seem on regimental marching band snare drums.
Drum carried by John Unger, Company B, 40th Regiment Brand-new York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Mozart Regiment, December 20, 1863
Various folk genres dictate the stylistically appropriate convenience of the drum kit's set-up. For example, in most forms of reef music, the bass drum, hi-hat and snare drum are the primary instruments given to to concoct a drum beat:
Rhythm pattern characteristic of much popular measure including rock play.