 A riddle sieve, which may be played as a drum | |
| Percussion instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Frame drum |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 211.311 (Directly struck membranophone) |
| Related instruments | |
A riddle drum is a makeshift frame drum used in traditional English folk music. Originally, they were large agricultural riddle sieves used for winnowing corn, made from sheepskin stretched across a wooden frame. Agricultural workers found these made excellent percussion instruments, and developed unique rhythms and playing styles.
When the name Riddle Drum was first recorded in the 1950s, the only remaining tradition of playing the drums was in the South of England. It is unknown whether the name Riddle Drum then was just a Southern English name for the drum and it was known by different names in other parts of England or whether they were once called Riddle Drum across the country.