A membranophone is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of a stretched membrane or skin. Some synonyms for a membranophone include drum, tom-tom, snare drum, bass drum, timpani, bongo, conga, tabla, bodhrán, doumbek, djembe, and tambourine. Drums are one of the oldest known musical instruments, with evidence of their use dating back to ancient civilizations. They are widely used in a variety of musical genres, including rock, jazz, Latin, and African music. Each type of membranophone has a distinct sound and is played using different techniques, making them versatile and fascinating instruments to learn and play.