How To Make Traditional Drum Heads ?

[Sherkhan1962]

Hi All,

I plan to make traditional drums, Native style, which I intend to paint, and although I already own a moose drum (for a Barbie doll it should be a mouse drum) I don't have a clue about how the leather is chosen, prepared and treated for this specific use (the wooden rim is not a problem as I am a skilled Marine Joiner). Any information (differences between species, sounds obtained, preparation of the skins, useful links saving hours and hours of Googling for suppliers and drum makers, etc.) is much welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Fred

[mrdabeetle]

I don't know why this hasn't been answered, but basically the drum head is rawhide, usually deer. Soak the rawhide in water for a few hours until it is pliable, then the rawhide is stretched across the drum frame and secured. Some drums are tied, some tacked, and others clamped. Allow the rawhide to dry completely, then you may need to sand it smooth. The specific process depends on what style you are trying to reproduce.

[Sherkhan1962]

Thanks for the reply. Not many drum makers around it seems. I'll give it a try. The ones I wish to make are of the Native style, tied across the rim. If you have any good source for deer rawhide thanks in advance to drop another line.

[Logans Leather]

Native to where? Every culture across the world developed drums, and they all have their own indigenous techniques and tweaks.

[Sherkhan1962]

You are right, we are all native to somewhere (even E.T. is a Native!) I should have specified Native American or American Indian.

[MakerUnknown]

Not North American but African. I play a djembe in a couple bands and have marveled at the construction. The website associated with this video offers literature on refurbishing drum heads..may or may not be useful.

[shtoink]

I was able to scare up a 3 part series on making a Native American drum.

I will say that these are far from the best of quality in filming and video quality, but they do contain a good deal of information on some of the variations on the details of construction. You pretty much get to see a drum built in real time. It's done very much in an uncut, documentary style. He mentions different materials that are typical for use with these types of drums.

I found

that is from the Alaska region that is of a better quality that contains similar information and building styles, but more detail. It covers making the frame and proper drum skin tension before it's dry.

I am sure there are more, but your search might have to become more specific. I hope this helps on your endeavors.

[Sherkhan1962]

Thanks to both of you, MakerUnknown and Shtoink, for these valuable links which will save me time searching. Once downloaded I'll watch them quietly in my country house and workshop where I have neither TV nor internet. I hope I'll update this post in the (more or less close) future with the making of my own drum.

[Kindaki]

i recently came across a book at my local Goodwill that I picked up called "hwo to make drums, tomtoms and rattles. primitive percussion instruments for modern use" by Bernard S. Mason. it's a book originally published in 1938 and then republished in 1974. it has instructions on how to make native american musical instruments and also some background history on each. i'd be happy to scan some of the pages for you if you wanted.

Kindaki

[Sherkhan1962]

i recently came across a book at my local Goodwill that I picked up called "hwo to make drums, tomtoms and rattles. primitive percussion instruments for modern use" by Bernard S. Mason. it's a book originally published in 1938 and then republished in 1974. it has instructions on how to make native american musical instruments and also some background history on each. i'd be happy to scan some of the pages for you if you wanted.

Kindaki

Thanks a lot Kindaki for your proposal and for this interesting reference. When I went to the USA in 1996 I was absolutely delighted before the quantity of affordable practical books (the How to...) that exist in English on an unbelievable range of subjects. I was tempted to buy dozens, but limited by the flight max luggage weight, and today when I don't find what I look for in French I buy in English, even novels - and it's definitely cheaper. I'll do some searches about this book, and if I am not successful to find a copy I come back to you for some scans (they will be limited to the drum heads only).

Cheers,

Fred