Why is the bangu drum important for coordinating a Peking opera performance?

In Peking opera, the bangu (also known as danpigu) is essential for coordinating a performance because it serves as the lead instrument for the ensemble.1

The drum is constructed with a skin stretched over wooden wedges, leaving only a small, hollow center. This unique design allows the performer to produce a distinctively dry, sharp sound that is both aesthetic and functional. Because the drummer leads the ensemble, these sharp, rhythmic signals are vital for guiding the other musicians and performers through the various stages of the opera. In practice, the drummer often plays the bangu with a narrow bamboo stick in the right hand while simultaneously operating the clappers (paiban) with the left hand to maintain the necessary rhythm and timing.1