Abstract:
A tunable drum having a hollow drum shell, and imperforate drumhead closing at least one end of said drum shell. One or more opening extend through the drum shell for acoustic venting, and valves are provided for adjusting the size of the openings to vary the amount of acoustic venting, effecting the drums volume, pitch, tone, timbre and stick or hand response. The valves may be movable slid valves, e.g., slidable or pivotable, between an open and a closed position or “F-holes”. Valves may consist of a ring member positioned for rotation inside said drum and slidable endwise of the drum to cover or uncover said drum openings, or the ring member may have openings that match the drum openings and operable to cover or uncover the openings or rotation. A handle for rotation of the ring member extends outside the shell for movement by the drummer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 10/602,017 filed Jun. 24, 2003 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention shows new and improved drum assemblies having a modulated acoustic air vents.  
         [0003]     Conventional drums consist of a hollow drum shell having one or more drumheads held in place by head hoops. Conventional drums may have an acoustic air vent but they are not adjustable in size.  
         [0004]     The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none providing the combination of features disclosed and claimed needs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved drum assembly that is tunable in use to vary the pitch thereof.  
         [0006]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having means to adjust air exhausting from the drum to vary the tone of the drum.  
         [0007]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having an air vent controllable in size to vary the tone of the drum.  
         [0008]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having an air vent controllable in size to vary the stick and or hand response of the drum.  
         [0009]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having an air vent controllable in size to vary the volume of the drum.  
         [0010]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having an air vent controllable in size to vary the timbre of the drum.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having an air vent comprising openings controllable in size to vary the tone of the drum during use.  
         [0012]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having a plurality of air vent openings and valve means operable adjust the size of the openings in size to vary the tone of the drum.  
         [0013]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having a plurality of air vent openings and individually worked valve means operable adjust the size of the openings in size to vary the tone of the drum.  
         [0014]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved drum assembly having a plurality of air vent openings and simultaneously worked valve means operable adjust the size of the openings in size to vary the tone of the drum.  
         [0015]     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell with a plurality of acoustic air vent holes midway up the shell, and a ring member positioned inside to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of another drum assembly showing a drum shell having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes next to the lower drumhead and a ring member positioned inside to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes next to the upper drumhead, and a ring member positioned outside to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes beside the upper drumhead, having a ring member positioned inside the shell to vary the size of the air vent openings, and showing a wedge member in the ring member for locking it in place.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4   a  is an isometric detail view of the locking bolts used in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a drumhead ring having air vent openings and a ring member positioned outside to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a drumhead ring having air vent openings and a ring member positioned inside to vary the size of the air vent openings, and showing a wedge member in the ring member for locking it in place.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell having one plurality of acoustic air vent holes next to the bottom drumhead, and a drumhead ring having air vent openings, and a pair of ring members positioned inside the shell to vary the size of the air vent openings, and showing a member for using the ring members together.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7   a  is an isometric view of the pair of ring members shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an isometric fragment view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell having one plurality of acoustic air vent holes beside to the bottom drumhead, and a drumhead ring having air vent openings, and a pair of ring members positioned inside the shell to vary the size of the air vent openings, and showing external members for working the ring members together.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8   a  is an exploded isometric fragment view of one of the ring members shown in  FIG. 8  and one of the external members for working the ring members.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8   b  is an exploded isometric fragment view of one of the ring members shown in  FIG. 8  and the handle of the external members for operating the ring members.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8   c  is an exploded isometric fragment view of one of the ring members shown in  FIG. 8  with a spring applying compression to expand the ring member, and a bolt for connecting an external member supporting a handle for working the ring members.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes beside to the top drumhead, and disk members rotatable back and forth to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes beside to the top drumhead, and slide members slidable up and down to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a standard drum assembly showing a drum shell having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes beside to the top drumhead, slide members slidable up and down to vary the size of the air vent openings, and a ring member connected to the slide members to move them up and down together.  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a standard Conga drum having a plurality of acoustical air vent holes beside to the top of the drumhead, and disk members rotatable back and forth to vary size of the air vent openings.  
         [0033]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a standard Conga drum having an alternative plurality of “F-hole” acoustical air vent holes in the drum shell.  
         [0034]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a standard Djembe drum having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes beside to the top drumhead, and slide members slidable up and down to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0035]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of a standard Djembe drum having an alternative plurality of elliptical acoustic air vent holes in the mid and lower section of the drum, and slide members slidable to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
         [0036]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of standard Bongo drums having a plurality of acoustical air vent holes beside to the top of the drumhead, and disk members rotatable back and forth to vary size of the air vent openings.  
         [0037]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of standard Timbales drums having a plurality of acoustic air vent holes beside to the top drumhead, and slide members slidable up and down to vary the size of the air vent openings.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     EXAMPLE 1  
       [0038]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  there is a drum assembly  10  having upper and lower drumheads.  
         [0039]     Conventional adjusting screws secure tensioning hoops  11  and  12  to lugs on drum shell  13 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound output of the drumheads.  
         [0040]     Drum shell  13  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings or slots  14  positioned about halfway up the shell allowing air to exit from the interior of the drum. The adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0041]     A ring member  15  with slots  16 , shown exploded above the drum shell, has a sliding fit inside drum shell  13  with slots  16  aligned with slots  14  when fully opened and movable on rotation to a position closing slot  14 . Bolts  17 , having square heads operated by a drum key, extend through a pair of slots  14  on opposite sides of the drum shell, and, on tightening, secure ring member  15  in place.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0042]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of drum shell  13 , the drum is ready for use. Bolts  17  operated by a drum key allow rotation of ring  15  to any needed position between fully open (slots  14  and  16  fully aligned) and fully closed (the imperforate portion of ring  15  covering slots  14 ). This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0043]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 2 , there is a drum assembly  20  having upper and lower drum tensioning rings  21  and  22  supported on drum shell  23 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning rings  21  and  22  on the drum shell  23 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0044]     Drum shell  23  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings or slots  24  positioned next to the lower drumhead, which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0045]     A ring member  25  with slots  26 , shown exploded above the drum shell, has a sliding fit inside drum shell  23 , with slots  26  aligned with slots  24  when fully opened, and movable on rotation to a position closing slots  24 . Bolts  27 , having square heads worked by a drum key, extend through a pair of slots  24  on opposite sides of the drum shell, and on tightening secure ring member  25  in place.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0046]     When the drumhead is secured on the open upper end of drum shell  23 , the drum is ready for use. Bolts  27 , operated by a drum key, allow rotation of ring  25  to any needed position between fully open (slots  24  and  26  fully aligned) and fully closed (the imperforate portion of ring  25  covering slots  24 ). This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response  
       EXAMPLE 3  
       [0047]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 3  shows a drum assembly  30  having upper and lower drum tensioning hoops  31  and  32  supported on drum shell  33 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  31  and  32  to lugs on the drum shell. Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0048]     Drum shell  33  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings or slots  34  positioned next to the lower drumhead, which allows air to exit from the interior of the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0049]     A ring member  35  with slots  36 , shown exploded above the drum shell, has a sliding fit outside the drum shell  33 . Slots  36  are aligned with slots  34  when fully opened and movable on rotation to a position closing slots  34 . Bolts  37 , having square heads, worked by a drum key, extend through a pair of slots  34  on opposite sides of the drum shell, and on tightening secure ring member  35  in place.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0050]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of drum shell  33 , the drum is ready for use. Bolts  37 , worked by a drum key, allow rotation of ring  35  to any needed position between fully open (slots  34  and  36  fully aligned) and fully closed (the imperforate portion of ring  35  covering slots  34 ). This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 4  
       [0051]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIGS. 4 and 4   a  shows a drum assembly  40  having upper and lower drum tensioning hoops  41  and  42  supported on drum shell  43 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  41  and  42  to lugs on the drum shell  43 . This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0052]     Drum shell  43  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings or slots  44  positioned next to the lower drumhead, which allows air to exit from the interior of the drum, avoiding a dampening of the sound that would occur in a tightly closed drum.  
         [0053]     An imperforate ring member  45 , shown exploded above the drum shell, has a sliding fit up and down inside the drum shell  43  to cover and uncover slot  44 . Bolts  47 , having square heads worked by a drum key, extend through a pair of angled slots  46  on opposite sides of the drum shell, and on tightening secure ring member  45  in place.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0054]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of drum shell  43 , the drum is ready for use. Bolts  47  worked by a drum key move in angled slots  46  to move ring  45  to any needed position between fully open and fully closed. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 5  
       [0055]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 5 , shows an upper drum tensioning hoop or ring  51  supported on a drum shell as in the other Examples. Ring  51  has a rim  52  with a plurality of acoustic slots  53 .  
         [0056]     A ring member  54 , shown exploded above the drum rim  52 , has slots  55 , which match slots  53  on assembly. Bolts  56 , having square heads  57  for operation by a drum key, extend through a pair of the slots  53 ,  55  on opposite sides of the drum ring member  54 . Bolts  56 , when extended, may rotate ring member  54 , to secure it in place.  
         [0057]     Ring member  54  positioned outside rim  52  may be rotated. Slots  53 ,  55  are acoustic vent openings matching to the ones in the other examples, which allows air to exit from the interior of the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0058]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of a drum shell, the drum is ready for use. Bolts  56  worked by a drum key move in slots  53  to position member  54  at any needed location of slots  53 , between fully open and fully closed. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 6  
       [0059]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 6 , shows an upper drum tensioning hoop or ring  61  to be supported on a drum shell as in the other Examples. Ring  61  has a rim  62  with a plurality of acoustic slots  63 .  
         [0060]     A ring member  64 , shown exploded above the drum rim  62 , has slots  65 , which match slots  63  on assembly and is split at  69 . Bolts  66 , having square heads  67  worked by a drum key, extend through a pair of the slots  63 ,  65  on opposite sides of the drum ring member  64 . Bolts  66 , when extended, are used to rotate ring member  64 . A wedge member  68  fits between the ends of split  69 , and, on tightening of one of the bolts  66 , secures ring member  64  in place.  
         [0061]     With ring member  64  positioned inside rim  62 , it may be rotated. Slots  63 ,  65  are acoustic vent openings similar to the ones in the other examples. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0062]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of a drum shell, the drum is ready for use. Bolts  67  operated by a drum key and move in slots  63  to move ring member  64  to any needed position of slots  63 ,  65  between fully open and fully closed. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response. Wedge member  68  fits between the ends of split  69 , and, on tightening of one of the bolts  66 , secures ring member  64  in place.  
       EXAMPLE 7  
       [0063]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIGS. 7 and 7 A shows a drum assembly  70  with upper and lower drum tensioning hoops  71  supported on drum shell  72 . Drum tensioning hoops  71  and  72  are secured on the drum shell  72  by conventional adjusting screws. Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0064]     Drum shell  72  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings or slots  73  positioned near the lower hoop  71 . Upper hoop  71  has a rim  74  with slots  75 , which, with slots  73 , allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0065]     Ring members  76  and  77  connected by braces  78 , shown in  FIG. 7A , have a sliding fit inside drum shell  72  with operating lever rods  79  extending through angled slots  73   a . Ring members  76  and  77  are imperforate, and have sliding movement toward an end of the drum to cover or uncover slots  73  and  75 .  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0066]     Lever rods  79  are movable circumferentially in angled slots  73   a  to rotate ring members  76  and  77 , and move them toward and away from an end of the drum shell to cover or uncover slots  73  and  75  to vary the venting of air from the drum and allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 8  
       [0067]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIGS. 8, 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C, shows a drum assembly  80  with upper and lower drum tensioning rings  81  supported on drum shell  82 . Drum tensioning rings  81  are secured on the drum shell  82  by conventional adjusting bolts or screws extending from ring to ring. Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0068]     Drum shell  82  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings or slots  83  positioned near the lower hoop  81 . Upper ring  81  has an upstanding rim  84  with slots  85 , which, together with slots  83 , allow air to exit from the interior of the drum.  
         [0069]     Split ring members  86  ( FIG. 8C ) have a coil spring  187  spreading the ring after being inserted for use. Coil spring  187  is fitted over a bolt  186  having a head  185  and washers  184 . Ring members  86  have a sliding fit inside drum shell  82  with slots  86   a  matching slots  83  and  85 . Operating levers  87  connected by handle  88 , shown in  FIGS. 8 and 8 B, are movable to make the ring slots  86   a  cover or uncover slots  83  and  85 . This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0070]     Handle  88  rotates ring members  86 , and moves them to cover or uncover slots  83  and  85  to vary the venting of air from the drum and allows air to exit from the interior of the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response. Coil spring  187  keeps ring members  86  expanded inside drum shell  82  and drum ring  84 .  
       EXAMPLE 9  
       [0071]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 9  shows a drum assembly  90  with upper and lower drum tensioning hoops  91  and  92  supported on drum shell  93 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  91  and  92  on the drum shell  93 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0072]     Drum shell  93  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  94 , which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Valve disks  96  are positioned next to each opening  94 , and are pivotable side to side to open or close the vent openings. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0073]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of drum shell  93 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  94  by movement of disks  96  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 10  
       [0074]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 10  shows a drum assembly  100  having upper and lower drum tensioning hoops  101  and  102  supported on drum shell  103 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  101  and  102  on the drum shell  103 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound output of the drumheads.  
         [0075]     Drum shell  103  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  104 , which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Valve slides  106  are supported close to each of the vent openings  104  in guides  105  and movable to close the openings. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0076]     When the drumhead is secured on the open upper end of drum shell  103 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  104  by movement of valve slides  106  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 11  
       [0077]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 11  shows a drum assembly  110  with upper and lower drum tensioning hoops  111  (upper hoop not shown) supported on drum shell  113 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  111  on the drum shell  113 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0078]     Drum shell  113  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  114 , which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Guide members  115  are provided for each of the vent openings  114 . Valve slides  116  are positioned in each of the guide members  115 , and are slidable from a lower position opening said vent openings to an upper position closing the openings. Valve slides  116  are connected to a working ring  117  for simultaneous movement. A bolt  118  extends through ring  117  and slot  119  in drum shell  113  to secure the ring and valve slides in any selected position. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0079]     When the drumhead is secured on the open upper end of drum shell  113 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  114  by movement of ring  117  and lid  116  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 12  
       [0080]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 12  shows a drum assembly  120  with the drum tensioning hoop  121  supported on drum shell  123 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoop  121  on the drum shell  123 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin  128  or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0081]     Drum shell  123  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  124 , which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Valve disks  1   26  are positioned next to each opening  124 , and are pivotable side to side to open or close the vent openings. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0082]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of drum shell  123 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  124  by movement of disks  126  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 13  
       [0083]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 13  shows a drum assembly  120  with the drum tensioning hoop  121  supported on drum shell  123 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoop  121  on the drum shell  123 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin  128  or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0084]     Drum shell  123  has a plurality of “F” type  129  acoustic vent openings, which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. The F holes are located in one or several places on the drum shell. The F holes are shown located both above and below the maximum girth of the drum shell. While the F holes are shown both above and below the maximum girth of the drum shell the F holes may be located either above or below on, or straddling the maximum girth of the drum shell. It is also contemplated that the F holes can be partially or completely covered to adjust the acoustic F hole openings allowing variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response. This figure also shows the F holes placed in various locations and angles on the drum shell. While these angles and locations are shown for clarity on the design, other variations of shape, size, location and angles are contemplated.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0085]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of drum shell  123 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  129  can be made by covering or filling part or all of the opening with a plug or using a sliding cover located internal or external of the drum shell to allow a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response. The adjustment of the vents placed above the narrow portion of the drum and the vents placed below the narrow portion of the drum have different effect on the sound of the drum.  
       EXAMPLE 14  
       [0086]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 14  shows a drum assembly  130  with drum tensioning hoop  131  supported on drum shell  133 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  131  on the drum shell  133 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin  138  or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0087]     Drum shell  133  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  134  located above the narrow portion of the drum shell and one or more vents  137  located below the narrow portion of the drum, which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Guide members  135  are provided for each of the vent openings  134 . Valve slides  136  are positioned in each of the guide members  135 , and are slidable from a lower position opening said vent openings to an upper position closing the openings. Valve slides  136  can be moved individually as disclosed in  FIG. 11  or can be individually adjusted as disclosed in this  FIG. 14 . This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0088]     When the drumhead is secured on the open upper end of drum shell  133 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  134  by movement within the slides  136  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response. The adjustment of the vents placed above the narrow portion of the drum and the vents placed below the narrow portion of the drum have different effect on the sound of the drum.  
       EXAMPLE 15  
       [0089]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 15  shows a drum assembly  130  with drum tensioning hoop  131  supported on drum shell  133 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  131  on the drum shell  133 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin  138  or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0090]     Drum shell  133  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  132 A located above the narrow portion of the drum shell and one or more vents openings  132 B located below the narrow portion of the drum, which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Vents  132 A are shown with vent adjustment member  139  protruding through a vent opening. Valve adjuster  139  can be moved to vary the amount of venting from the all the valves connected to the valve adjuster. This type of adjustment mechanism is disclosed in  FIG. 7  or an adjuster can be placed on each valve individually. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0091]     When the drumhead is secured on the open upper end of drum shell  133 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  132 A and  132 B by movement within the slides  139  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response. The adjustment of the vents placed above the narrow portion of the drum and the vents placed below the narrow portion of the drum have different effect on the sound of the drum.  
       EXAMPLE 16  
       [0092]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 16  show a Bongo drum assembly  140  with the drum-tensioning hoop  141  supported on drum shell  143 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoop  141  on the drum shell  143 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin  148  or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0093]     Drum shell  143  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  144 , which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Valve disks  146  are positioned next to each opening  144 , and are pivotable side to side to open or close the vent openings. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0094]     With the drumhead secured on the open upper end of drum shell  143 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  144  by movement of disks  146  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
       EXAMPLE 17  
       [0095]     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, and especially to  FIG. 17  shows Timbale drum assembly  150  with drum tensioning hoop  151  supported on drum shell  153 . Conventional adjusting screws secure drum-tensioning hoops  151  on the drum shell  153 . Adjustment of the bolts or screws varies the tension in the drumhead skin  158  or diaphragm to tune the sound of the drumheads.  
         [0096]     Drum shell  153  has a plurality of acoustic vent openings  154 , which allow air to exit from the interior of the drum. Guide members  155  are provided for each of the vent openings  154 . Valve slides  156  are positioned in each of the guide members  155 , and are slidable from a lower position opening said vent openings to an upper position closing the openings. Valve slides  156  can be moved individually as disclosed in  FIG. 11  or can be individually adjusted as disclosed in this  FIG. 15 . This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response. The drums in this figure are shown installed onto a drum stand  157 .  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0097]     When the drumhead is secured on the open upper end of drum shell  153 , the drum is ready for use. Adjustment of the acoustic openings  154  by movement within the slides  156  allows a variation in venting of air from the drum. This adjustment of the acoustic openings allows variation in venting of air from the drum for controlling volume, pitch, tone, timbre, and stick or hand response.  
         [0098]     While this invention has been described fully and completely with special emphasis upon several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.