A percussion instrument, comprising a plurality of wood blocks or staves
interlocked to each other through tongue and groove joints, such that the
interlocked blocks form a solid surface having the shape of a cylinder
with two open ends. A drum head is in contact with one of the open ends
of the body, and suitable fixing means, coupled to said head, retain the
head under pressure against one of the ends. Preferably, the tongue and
groove joints are defined by grooves in the blocks or staves with a
spline member disposed in each groove.