Why are drums classified as membranophones?

Drums are classified as membranophones because they produce sound by the vibration of stretched membranes. These membranes can be made of various materials, such as animal skin, synthetic materials, or metal. When struck, the membranes vibrate and create sound waves that travel through the air, reaching our ears. The shape and size of the drum, as well as the tension of the membrane, influence the pitch and tone of the sound produced.

Membranophones are a diverse group of instruments that include various types of drums, such as bass drums, snare drums, tom-toms, bongos, timpani, and many more. These instruments play a crucial role in providing rhythm and percussion in music across cultures and genres worldwide.