Parade, circus, and vaudeville drums share a common DNA rooted in military tradition, but each evolved with their own personality as they moved into the world of entertainment. Here is some history of these types of drums and their uses. Both parade and circus drums date back to military field drums used in Europe in the 16th through 18th centuries. In America, drums became a vital part of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. These drums kept marching soldiers in step and sent commands across the battlefield. The drums used rope-tension systems and gut snares for a sharp, cutting sound that could be heard over the sounds of the battlefield. Over time, armies became more ceremonial and their music, and drums, shifted from battlefield utility to public performance. Parade drumming shaped modern marching bands and drum corps. Eventually, drums found their way into circus and vaudeville shows, using drums and sound […]

May 2026 Issue