original_query: What is a tom drum and how is it different from other drums?
query: What is a tom drum and how is it different from other drums?
answer: A tom drum is a cylindrical drum with no snares.  It's different from other drums in several ways, including its size (ranging from a few inches to larger sizes in floor toms), the fact that it lacks snares (unlike snare drums), and its construction (shells are made of various materials and can be single- or double-headed).  It's also distinct from gongs (like the tam-tam) and is used differently than other drums, such as in a drum kit.