The drum is a non-membrane struck instrument that figures prominently in many music genres. The term drum can refer to many different types of drums, including steel, bronze, and wood-made slit drums. Learn about the different types of drums to find out what kind of music you’ll enjoy the most. This article will introduce the different types of drums and provide a brief history of each. Let’s start with the Bass drum.
Bass drum
The bass drum is a cylindrical instrument with two membranes at each end of its body. It has no definite pitch center, and is tuned by tuning the two lowest modes of the instrument. The lowest modes of the instrument are a musical fourth apart, and coupling between the drum’s two heads produces the splitting of the two lowest tones. The constant in the equation for frequency is assumed to be in MKS units. If the drum is tuned correctly, it will produce an acoustic quality that enhances the overall sound of the piece.
The sound of the bass drum is of indefinite pitch and has a resonant chamber between the C and the G range. This sound is perceived as one or two octaves lower than the normal notes. The timbre of the bass drum is made up of two components: the attack and the resonance. The attack is the single stroke, played on the striking spot on the head of the drum. The second is the resonance, lasting about three or four seconds. The sound produced by a bass drum varies from a solo ppp to a more powerful fortissimo effect.
Tambourine
The Tambourine drum is a versatile percussion instrument that can be used in both traditional and contemporary settings. Tambourines are generally played with a stick or triangle beater, but can also be struck with drumsticks. Because they are so versatile, tambourines are suitable for almost any type of music, from rock and pop to traditional percussion. A few of the best examples of tambourines are listed below. You can use any of these tools to strike a tambourine, from simple ‘bling rings’ to complex ‘bangs’.
The tambourine’s history can be traced back to medieval times when it was a popular instrument in Jewish and Christian cultures. It was brought to Europe by Crusaders who used it for dancing and song. In the early 18th century, it was used in Turkish Janissary bands and made its appearance in opera scores. Later, the instrument became part of orchestras, with notable composers including Hector Berlioz and Nikolay Rimsky-Korskov.
Conga
The conga is a traditional African instrument, and has been played in various styles for centuries. A conga’s sound is varied, and can be tuned to make a particular note. The two congas on the drum kit are usually tuned to a perfect fourth apart, an important interval in harmonics. The drum has five basic strokes, which can be played with the fingertips or the palm. Its different pitches and rhythms can be varied by changing the technique used to strike the drum.
Slap tones are among the hardest to play, and are generally more difficult to perform than other tones. A slap tone is produced by hitting the drum with the palm of the hand, and the weight of the arm is added to the strike. When making a slap tone, the hand should not rebound as much as a ringing sound. It is important to practice both slap and muffle tones.
Bongo
A bongo drum is a musical instrument made of tunable heads and a wooden frame. Most are made from oakwood, while some use rawhide. The type of wood used can also affect the sound of the instrument. A hardwood bongo is generally more durable and can handle higher levels of humidity and temperature. A lower-cost version of this instrument may not have as high of a quality sound. If you’re interested in playing bongos, consider a lower-priced model with a wooden frame.
Unlike other percussion instruments, the bongo drum does not get its name from the Bongo antelope. This species of antelope lives in Africa, but its skin is very rarely used for bongo drums. While the name suggests that the bongo drum comes from the Bongo antelope, there is no proof that the animal’s skin was used in the creation of the instrument. There are several different types of bongo drum, each with its own unique sound.
Glockenspiel
The glockenspiel is an instrument similar to a piano. The bars of a glockenspiel are set up like piano keys. The mallets are typically made of plastic or metal and should be held in the same way as a snare drum. Once you’ve learned the basics of playing the glockenspiel, you’re ready to move on to more advanced exercises. Here are some ways to get started playing this instrument.
A glockenspiel player may hold two mallets in one hand and strike adjacent bars simultaneously with a bar held at an angle. This technique produces a cluster chord, a series of notes that are adjacent to each other. In order to get this sound, a skilled player may damp the note immediately before the cluster chord. Using a damper pedal, however, may cause slurring of the sound. While a glockenspiel has a range that spans more than an octave, it can sound like a mellow, richer instrument.
Gourd
There are many ways to make a Drum, Gourd. The gourd itself is easy to carve with a leather punch. The gourd is then cut into a circle, and the top head is centered. A small ring should be placed on the bottom of the gourd. To finish, lace the drum with leather lace and tie the ends. The drum is now ready to play!
The gourd is naturally hollowed out, but it can also be modified to become a practical object. Its walls are thick, reaching up to 3/4″ when grown under ideal conditions. It can be either teardrop-shaped or round, and it can have a handle. Gourds can also be treated to make them stronger or more resistant to rot. This is an ancient example of engineering. If you want to make a Drum, Gourd, and Leather Cord Handles, consider attending a class at The Craft Center!