A quick disconnect that enables a drummer to quickly remove and apply tension to a drumhead of a drum is provided. The disconnect is operable with many types of drums, such as a conga drum. The disconnect allows a drummer at the end of a playing session to quickly release tension from the drumhead and thereby preserve the head and the barrel portion of the drum. Further, when the drummer wants to use the drum again, the quick disconnect allows the drummer to quickly reapply tension to the drumhead, wherein the tension reapplied is substantially the same as the tension applied immediately prior to the previous release of the disconnect.