The idea of the drum was quickly taken up by the armies of the west and in Britain the earliest drummers were not regular soldiers, but rather hired musicians usually signed on for short periods. It proved difficult for the army to recruit such men and consequently larger rewards of pay were offered. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the drummer was paid one shilling per day (5p) which was on an equal scale to that of a sergeant, whilst privates received eight pence per day (3p).

Drummers or "Drum Slades"  were eventually incorporated into the ranks of the army in their own right and became highky respected members of a regiment. The position of Drum Major was created and he had various tasks allotted to him, not only to instruct the new drummers and the invention and construction of new beatings, but also in overseeing and administering punishments in the form of floggings.

The position of Drum Major General was instigated and his main task seems to have been to grant licenses to regiments other than royal troops for the use of drums within their ranks. The earliest record of a "Drumme Major" or  "Drumme"  as he was then called, dates from the reign of King Charles II (1660-1685). In fact the title "Drumme"  is still used as an abbreviated term for drum major by many members of military bands to this day.