Fife-and-drum corps of Swiss mercenary foot soldiers also hand-me-down drums. They passed down an aboriginal chronicle of the snare drum carried over the player's right shoulder, suspended by a strap (typically played with one hand using traditional grip). It is to this thingamajig that English word "drum" was first used. Similarly, during the English civil fighting rope-tension drums would be carried by junior officers as a means to relay commands from senior officers over the caterwauling of battle. These were also hung over the press of the drummer and en masse played with two drum sticks. Different regiments and companies would have far cry and unique drum beats which only they would recognize.

By Division War African Drums I drum kits were characterized by genuine large marching bass drums and multifarious percussion items suspended on and around it, and they became a central element of jazz music. Hi-hat stands appeared around 1926. Metal consoles were developed to hold Chinese tom-toms, with swing out stands for snare drums and cymbals. On fine of the console was a "contraptions" (shortened to "trap") tray dedicated to hold whistles, klaxons, and cowbells, thus drum kits were dubbed "trap kits."