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| Intro To Homemade Drums and Percussion Instruments | |
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If you have the money, there is a huge variety of sources you may explore to find yourself that perfect custom made or imported hand drum or percussion instrument. Click here for links to quality drum makers, importers, manufacturers and resellers. This page is dedicated to those of you who either by creative impulse, or lack of funds, desire to make or find your own one of a kind instruments. This may be of particular use to those who need to have a larger inventory of instruments for a special workshop or drum circle and do not have the budget to purchase them all. I have searched cyber space to bring you as many helpful ideas and article links as I can find, and this page will surely be an ongoing work in progress. Please contact me if you wish to contribute some special ideas of your own. To buy books or access links to many other sites helping with musical instrument construction in general, please visit the Musical Instrument Makers Forum site.  |
| Djembe / Ashiko Drum Construction (Advanced) | |
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Building A Djembe (here at Drum Journey) Making your own custom djembe is a project which may be appealing to those who possess a certain amount of craftsmanship skills and determination. Chris Bittner of "Drumworks by Chris" is an experienced drum maker who has written an excellent article on the processes involved in creating a djembe from a pre-carved imported shell. In the article he describes the process of preparing the shell and attaching the drum skin with rings and ropes. Chris then describes some aspects of carving your own drum shell. |
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Traditional Djembe Construction - A Photo Essay (Irietones.com) This page offers a photo essay on each step of building a djembe traditionally in Africa. Although no technical specs or details are available, you may gain an appreciation of the time, labour and processes involved from start to finish, even if you have no intentions of ever building a drum of your own. |
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Rope Tuning Hand Drums (here at Drum Journey) Unless you plan on building a djembe or ashiko with wrench tunable hardware, chances are your drum will be rope tuned using a traditional African system known as the "mail weave". In this informative article by R.Fulbright of "Bongo Central", you will learn about the intricacies of installing the skin, rings and ropes required to create a fully functional instrument. Even if you own a pre-built drum, this information will help you to keep it in tune. |
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How To Re-skin A Djembe (Goatskins.com) If you play your djembe regularly, hard enough, or even over tune it, you will most likely break the skin eventually. If you have the cash and someone locally to rehead your drum for you, you're in business. For the rest, or for new drum builders, here is a detailed guide with photos to help you get your head back on the drum and back into the rhythm of things. |
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Djembe Rings - Email Discussion (Djembe-L FAQ) In a rope tuned djembe or ashiko, the rings are a critical component. On the Djembe-L FAQ (discussion list devoted to the djembe), some good information is provided for those wanting to build their own drum. The information is not organized in any fashion, and you have to hunt around, but there's gold in them hills. This page also links to other topics related to djembe building. |
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Resources And Supplies For Constructing Djembe Drums
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| Bass Drum Construction (Advanced) | |
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PeloDaiko: A Radical New Drum (Powerhaus.net) This prototype Pelodaiko is a creation of Paul Marshall from N Ireland and Niko Thomas from Brittany in France and was the product of almost two years' research and experimentation. Its name derives from a Romany word 'Pelo' meaning brother or friend and is applied because the instrument is intended to be played by either one or two drummers. The Pelodaiko is constructed from a whisky barrel, rawhide skins, and a variation of the Mali weave rope tuning system. Reportedly a very awesome sounding thunderous bass drum, check out all the construction details at Paul Marshall's site. |
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Making A Taiko Drum (Taiko.com - Rolling Thunder) Traditional Japanese taiko drums, in addition to being amazing instruments, are also works of art. This combination of beautiful sound, exquisite appearance and centuries of handcrafted tradition has the unfortunate result of making genuine taiko more expensive than the typical mass produced instrument. This page will explain a bit about how taiko are made, and will give you a head start on understanding the some of the special qualities of these wonderful instruments. For the adventurous, instructions are also provided on making homemade taiko. |
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Making An Okedo-Daiko (Brian Pound) An okedô-daiko is a type of Japanese taiko drum, probably originally from a Korean design. They were traditionally made from barrels, hence the name, which literally means barrel body. The heads are attached with ropes, which allows tuning. Unlike many taiko drums, which are made from hollowed-out trees, okedô are rather lightweight. They can be worn over the shoulder during festivals for dancing and movement. Brian Pound gives you the information you need to assemble your very own drum. |
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Surdo Construction And Variations (Brian Pound) Brazilian percussion music is one of the few forms of popular music in which the bass drum plays a such major role. Surdos are typically manafactured from aluminum with lug nut tuning. Pictured at left is an alfaia which is constructed of wood with rope tuning. Brian Pound is a surdo fanatic who has devoted an entire web site to this bass drum. One this page you will find many construction details which may help you to build or maintain your own surdo. |
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How To Build A Plywood Surdo (SambaAttac.gmxhome.de) Building a plywood surdo does not require big woodworking skills, but it does take quite some time to build. On this page a builder in Germany describes how to construct a complete surdo using plywood for the drum shell. He describes the process as being quite labour intensive, but fun. |
| Other Drum Construction (Advanced) | |
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Making A Slit Drum (Krin) (here at Drum Journey) Slit drums are a fascinating and ancient percussion instrument, common to cultures around the world. The basic design of a slit drum is quite simple; a section of log or tree branch with a long slit carved along its length, through which the middle of the log is hollowed out. The drummer will play the slit drum with two sticks on either side of the slit. Chris Bittner has described some of his experiences with carving his own slit drums. |
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How To Make A Bodhran (Ceolas.org) The Bodhran (bo-rawn) itself looks fairly plain - a shallow wooden frame about eighteen inches in diameter with a single head made of goatskin. Despite its simple design the instrument is quite versatile. By using a double-headed beater, impressively complex rhythms can be produced with one hand leaving the other hand free to add tonal expression by muting and applying tension to the inside surface of the skin. Brent Santin provides complete instructions for constructing a bodhran from start to finish. |
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How To Make A Bodhran (Dave's Web) Another great construction article for building a Bodhran, the traditional Celtic frame drum from Ireland. Dave explains how to make this drum using a mould, and laminated sections of plywood. He also explains the use of a bolt tensioned adjustable inner rim to create a tunable drum. |
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How Steel Drums Are Made (Toucans.net) The Steel Drum, or Pan, is the newest instrument in the world, having its origins in the late 1930's. In just over half a decade, the steel drum has spread all over the world, gaining popular acceptance as a serious musical instrument. As aspiring panmakers will apprentice for up to ten years before being able to make a good quality pan, making a steel drum is next to impossible for a beginner! Check out this page to find out what is involved. |
| Inexpensive Alternative Drums (Intermediate) | |
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Sonotube Drums (Rhythmweb.com) Alternately known as Sonotubanos, Sonobanos, and Sonodrums, these homemade drums are currently the rage, thanks to facilitator and founder of the Eldermusic group at Yahoo, Annie O'Shea, along with co-creator Michael Augden. These drums are made from SonoTubes, a brand of heavy cardboard tubes that are used in the construction world to pour concrete columns, and are headed with synthetic material. If you need a bunch of drums and don't have a lot of cash, this just might be the ticket, so be sure to check out the construction details on this link. |
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Clay Pottery Drums (Rhythmweb.com) An intriguing drum project by Eric Stuer at Rhythmweb. Clay pottery drums have long been a staple in parts of Africa, also known as Udu drums. Stu has made a variation using a clay hibachi oven, and heading it with fish skin, for a one of a kind instrument. I have to say it sure looks fantastic. If you are looking for something different, check out the link for more details. |
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Coffee Can Drums (Rhythmweb.com) If you're not ready to build the more elaborate Sonotubano drum (see above), but still want to take a stab at building a drum with a skin, this just might be the ideal first project. The coffee can drum is inexpensive, portable, easy to make, and versatile. It responds well to a thin stick, with techniques that vary from scrapng and striking the side of the can to one hand/one stick techniques not unlike those used on sabar, Mandinka drums, or certain Brazilian instruments. Full details for construction are provided in this link. |
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Moondrum (Rhythmweb.com) What happens if you take two bottles, cut off the ends, and push them together? A two headed water bottle drum, or "Moondrum" as it is called by Eric Stuer of Rhythmweb. You can play it like a dholak, or a kendang, or play a djun djun part on it, with the rim as bell. When you turn it up on end, all kinds of sabar and repenique type stuff is available, muffling with one hand and stroking with the other, with or without a stick. Find out more about another simple but great idea from 'Stu' at this link. |
| Shakers / Percussion Accessories (Intermediate) | |
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Gourd Shekere (Crafty Music Teachers Page) A shekere is a beaded shaker, and are traditionally made from a gourd or calabash. In traditional African rhythms they provide a key rhythmic presence, and lend themselves well to virtually any style of music. Bonny Lundin-Scheer provides detailed instructions for constructing your own gourd shekere at her Crafty Music Teachers site. |
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Gourd Shekere (Drums.Org ~ Djembe-L FAQ) This page by the folks at Drums.Org / Djembe-L FAQ, offer very detailed and informative plans for making your own shekere from a gourd. Finding and selecting the right gourd, preparing it, choosing the beads and cord, and complete assembly is all covered here in detail. |
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Water Bottle Shekere (DrumJournal.com) Traditional shekeres were made in West Africa and migrated to Cuba and Brazil. They are made traditionally from gourds and use beads, shells or other organic items for the rattles. The techniques illustrated in this link can be used on just about any hard container that a net can be tied around. Dale Wambaugh at Drum Journal shows us how with detailed instructions using a common water bottle, nylon cord and beads. |
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Egg Ipu or Juevon (Rhythmweb.com) The Egg Ipu is quiet, intimate, not really suited for the drum circle, but actually more of a personal, meditative instrument. Playing is effortlessly achieved through finger strokes and simple hand movements, and various places on the striking surface yield different sounds. It makes a great "medicine ball" practice tool for freehand players, because it isn't loud, is very portable, and feels great in the hands. A simple yet classic instrument, designed by Eric Stuer of Rhythmweb. |
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Gametone Instruments (Gametone) Michael Natale, the creator of these homemade instruments states, "The purists among you will notice that they have little to do with traditional gamelan instruments. But their sound when played brings gamelan music to my mind." By clicking on each thumbnail you may view a larger image and read a brief description of the instrument. A few construction details are provided but more importantly this site might inspire you to create something unique of your own. |
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Making Surdo Mallets (Brian Pound) A Surdo is the Brazilian grand-daddy bass drum played with mallets. I can testify that bass drum mallets are both hard to find, and expensive. Brian Pound is a Surdo fanatic and has an excellent site devoted to the drum. On this page, Brian describes in detail how to make your own high grade heavy duty mallets. The ideas provided here would also make great mallets for other bass drums such as African djun djuns. |
| Simple Projects For Kids (Easy) | |
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Homemade Percussion Instruments (Nancy Stewart) Lots of great ideas for somple kids projects to make an assortment of percussion items from household items. These ideas from Nancy Stewart include shakers, jingle stick, tambourine and drum. |
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Easy To Make Shakers (Crafty Music Teachers Page) Anyone can make a shaker just by adding some shakin stuff to any household plastic container. Experiment with some of the ideas on Bonny's Crafty Music Teachers Page and shake shake shake away! |
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Poster Tube Rainstick (Crafty Music Teachers Page) Not quite as rhymical an instrument as a shaker, a rainstick is more meditative and is designed to emulate the sound of rain. The rainstick is a fairly simple project using a poster tube, beans, glues, nails and yarn. Bonny gives us detailed instructions for this fun instrument on her Crafty Music Teachers page. |
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Simple Percussion Projects (Satisfied Mind) On this site you will find some easy to make drums using cans. There is also a thumb-piano project made from easy to find household items. These projects were designed by Carol Raedy, a musician and educator in Charlotte. |
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Grade Three Project Using Water Bottles (here at Drum Journey) There can't be anything much simpler than using a common large water bottle for a drum. This grade three class had quite a fun time learning about the joys of drumming while making their own drums complete with their own custom art work. Along with exposure to some drumming using real African drums, these kids also got the chance to perform a rhythm for their school mates. |
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