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Data from: Spontaneous rhythmic and tool-assisted drumming across variable tempo and technique in a captive chimpanzee

Brooks, James1; Eleuteri, Vesta2; van der Werff, Jelle3; Yamamoto, Shinya4

Published May 05, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gtht76j21

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Abstract

In short, a captive chimpanzee named Toon drummed alongside vocalizations for several minutes, including across multiple pant hoot displays. We annotate this observation with precise onset timing, calculate inter-onset intervals, and analyze rhythmicity according to acoustic production mode and pant hoot display phase. Full methods and details can be found in the accompanying publication, whose abstract reads: Rhythmic drumming on percussive instruments is a common element of music across human cultures. Chimpanzees drum on the buttress roots of trees and on man-made objects, and often combine their drumming with long-distance pant-hoot vocalizations. Previous studies have suggested that chimpanzees select drumming substrates for their acoustic properties and that chimpanzee drumming shares core elements of human musicality (e.g., non-random timing, isochronous - metronome-like rhythm, and de-contextualized production in captivity). But to what extent can chimpanzees flexibly control their drumming rhythm across percussive media and techniques? Here, we report on a long-lasting drumming session by a captive chimpanzee named Toon, which was performed across multiple pant-hoot displays and employed diverse action forms, including drumstick-on-drum tool-composite use. We find flexible (isochronous) rhythm production across drumming implements, techniques, and tempi. Further, we describe tool composite transport and reuse, selectivity of percussive acoustic properties associated with different vocal elements, and variable use of the facial expression “play face” associated with faster and less variable rhythms, potentially indicating intrinsic enjoyment of such rhythms. Together, these findings provide evidence for key elements of human musicality in Toon’s drumming, supporting the hypothesis of shared evolutionary roots of human and chimpanzee drumming.