Vellum drum heads can be made from the skin of various animals, including calf and goat. Both calf and goat skins have been historically used in the construction of traditional drum heads, each offering unique characteristics. Here’s a comparison between calf and goat skin drum heads:

Calfskin Drum Heads:

  • Material: Calfskin drum heads are made from the skin of young calves.
  • Goatskin Drum Heads:
    • Material: Goatskin drum heads are made from the skin of goats.
    • Traditional Use:
      • Historically, vellum drum heads were the primary choice for drum construction. They were commonly used on shamanic drum, tambourines, irish bodhran, and various traditional percussion instruments. Today, they are still used in some traditional and folk music contexts.