Rototom

From Free net encyclopedia

Rototoms are drums which have no shell at all, just a single head and a die cast zinc or aluminum frame. Unlike other toms such as Tom-tom drums, rototoms have a variable definite pitch and some composers write for them as a tuned instrument, demanding specific notes. They can be tuned quickly by rotating the head. Since the head rotates on a thread, this raises or lowers the head relative to the rim of the drum and so increases or decreases the tension in the head. Two drumming greats who used Rototoms in the early days were Bill Bruford, and Terry Bozzio. Invented by Remo drums company.