The paigu are Chinese tom toms, which usually come in sets of fours, fives, sixes or more, and are tuned to definite pitches. The drums come in varying sizes, with the smaller drums commanding higher pitches. The set barrel-shaped drums, with drumheads of different diameters at each end, is arranged in a row of adjustable metal frames, in the order of sizes

They are usually fastened onto legs and have two surfaces – the jiamian and the yimian. Both surfaces can be tuned to fixed pitches, the yimian usually takes the higher pitch of the two surfaces. This allows a maximum of 12 pitches (set of six) to be available at any one time.

Recently, a new model of Chinese tom toms made of copper with a single skinhead has been gaining popularity. This new model has extended the tuning range of the Chinese tom toms and allowed greater stability in tuning. The drums are capable of performing fast paced melodies and frenzied cadenzas.