Trống cơm

The trống cơm (literally "rice drum") is a traditional Vietnamese percussion instrument. It is a barrel drum, meaning it has a cylindrical body, typically made of wood. What distinguishes the trống cơm from other barrel drums is its method of tuning and playing.

The drumheads of the trống cơm are usually made of animal skin, often buffalo hide. The instrument is tuned by applying cooked rice (cơm) to the center of the drumheads. The damp rice paste alters the tension of the drumhead, thereby changing the pitch. Applying more rice lowers the pitch, while scraping it off raises it.

The trống cơm is typically played with the bare hands. The drummer strikes the drumheads directly to produce a resonant and characteristic sound. The use of rice for tuning allows for subtle pitch variations, enabling the instrument to produce a range of tones within its relatively limited register.

The trống cơm is frequently used in traditional Vietnamese musical ensembles, particularly those accompanying folk operas (hát tuồng, cải lương) and court music (nhã nhạc). It provides a rhythmic and tonal foundation, often interacting with other instruments to create complex and nuanced soundscapes. The instrument holds significant cultural value, representing a unique aspect of Vietnamese musical heritage.