Exploring hand drums opens up a fascinating universe of rhythm and melody, where each tap or shake brings a unique sound to life. Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn the basics or an experienced musician aiming to deepen your skills, this guide offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you master these ancient instruments.
Looking to learn or play a specific hand drum? This guide offers essential insights on various hand drums available, their history, and key information you should know.
How Does Hand Drum Works?
Hand drums and percussion instruments share a common feature: they create sound when struck. Each instrument has a unique pitch zone, which means they can produce both low and high sounds. To get a low pitch, you hit the center of the drum’s head, and for a high pitch, you strike the rim.
Hand drums are categorized by their types and origins. This article aims to compare percussion instruments from various regions, highlighting their similarities.
We’ll also explore various shapes and frames of hand drums, starting with the earliest known hand percussion family. Understanding these basics gets you off to a solid start.
Different Types of Hand Drums
1) Frame Drums
The frame drum, known as doff, deff, daff, muzzar, and riq/riqq in various countries, is the most favored type of hand drum. Originating in North Africa, the Caucasus, and the Middle East, this instrument has found its way across the globe.
Frame drums are unique across cultures, each adapting a distinctive design that reflects their traditions. Essentially, they consist of a single wide drumhead and a wooden shell, making them light, portable, and affordable.
At first glance, frame drums may seem straightforward and effortless to play, but they hold a significant role in developing rhythmic skills.
Affordable and lightweight, frame drums are popular with kids of all ages, typically measuring eight to sixteen inches.
2) Djembe
The Djembe, a goblet-shaped hand drum from Africa, delivers a wide array of sounds, from sharp, high slaps to deep bass tones.
The history of Djembe begins with the Mandinka people of West Africa. Its diverse sounds have made it popular in the West. It’s an excellent companion for other instruments due to its ability to generate loud noises. Moreover, its lightness and portability make it easy for anyone to carry it around.
Fiberglass Djembes are ideal for starters due to their durability and user-friendliness, unlike their wooden counterparts.
To play the Djembe properly, it needs a height of 24 inches with a 12-inch head for adults. Position it between your legs for easy access to the head. Remember, a good-quality Djembe creates better sound, as cheaper ones tend to sound awful. Quality really matters with Djembes.
3) Tabla
Large hand drums, especially the tabla, are incredibly popular. If you’ve watched an Indian movie with actors dancing and singing, you’ve likely seen tablas being played. These instruments add a vibrant energy to the productions.
Tablas consist of two parts: the Dayan and the Bayan. The Dayan, positioned on the right, is the smaller drum that creates a high-pitched sound due to its wooden construction. On the left, the larger Bayan, made of brass or copper, complements with its deeper tones.
Each drum features a goatskin head that includes a black patch made of iron oxide and rice paste, among others, which gives the tabla its distinct sound.
Playing the tablas is incredibly engaging as it demands excellent hand skills and stylish finger motions.
4) Bongos
The Cubans are renowned for more than their Cuban cigars; they also take pride in the Bongos, a traditional hand drum. Played by seating with the drums positioned between the legs, these compact paired drums embody a rich cultural tradition.
Bongos serve both solo and lead roles, crafted from wood shells and calfskin heads, though contemporary versions feature synthetic shells.
Bongos consist of two drums, a small one known as the macho and a larger one called the hembra. They can create a diverse range of sounds, making them perfect for all music genres. Some are crafted for Latin tunes, while others suit pop music better.
The cost of Bongos is a direct indicator of their sound quality. Even though affordable synthetic sets might offer decent sound, low-priced options often don’t justify the effort. Beginners should consider investing in high-quality Bongos, like those crafted from Siam oak.
5) Congas
The Congas stand as one of the most significant hand drums or percussion instruments available, with sizes varying from 9 to 34 inches.
In a solo, smaller congas take the lead in creating melodies, while the bigger drums lay down deeper rhythms.
Congas, loved by Latin drum enthusiasts, are crafted from wooden staves and often feature calfskin heads, particularly popular in Afro-Cuban music. This combination ensures a rich, authentic sound.
Modern Congas, crafted from either fiberglass or wood, feature synthetic or skin heads. Fiberglass shells produce a louder sound, making them a favorite among band players, while wood congas offer a softer, more mellow tone. Choosing the right material depends on the sound you’re after.
Beginners aiming to start with Congas should opt for a 10 to 12 inches size, with a synthetic head being a top choice for its user-friendliness.
Moving and playing the Congas can be challenging due to their large size, unlike the more portable Djembe or tabla. Typically, they come with a stand, though some players prefer using a strap to secure the drum to their body for improved positioning.
6) Cajon
Originating in Peru, the Cajon was created by African slaves as an alternative to traditional African drums. Crafted from wood, it resembles a percussion box.
Cajons from Cuba were originally crafted from dresser drawers and fish crates, serving as substitute hand drums. This innovative use highlights the creativity and adaptability in their musical tradition.
The cajon, also popular in Spain, is a versatile instrument that plays a key role in pop, fusion, and flamenco music. Its adaptability makes it a favorite among musicians.
This hand drum, played by sitting on it and hitting its surface, features a hole in the back for resonance. The surface edge can be adjusted for different sounds. Modern Cajons come with a snare for a distinctive buzzing sound.
Modern Cajons have evolved from simple wooden boxes to sophisticated instruments with stretched cords on their surface, creating a unique buzzing sound similar to string instruments like the guitar. To enhance their sound, some players even incorporate bells within the cords.
7) Doumbek
The Doumbek, also known as dumbak, darbuka, tombek, tablha, or derbeki, is a popular drum across the Middle East.
The doumbek features a goblet shape and sits on the lap for playing, allowing musicians to use their fingers and hands to create a wide array of sounds from its horizontal position.
This hand drum, known as Doumbek, varies in style and shape. Early versions, especially from Egypt, feature tunable Mylar heads allowing adjustments for increased volume. This makes the Doumbek perfect for loud band settings, where it can easily keep up as an accompaniment.
Looking for a slimmer doumbek? Consider a Turkish doumbek featuring tunable heads for a metallic and booming sound. These instruments also include jingles and cymbals inside for an expanded variety of sound effects.
8) Handpans
Searching for compact hand drums? Explore handpans. With their rich tones and varied sounds, these instruments offer an enriching musical experience.
The Hang Drum, a type of hand drum, was first introduced in 2000 by the Swiss company PANArt. They’re known for creating this unique musical instrument.
In the pursuit of creating instruments similar to The Hang, several makers began branding their creations as Handpans. Meanwhile, everyday drum enthusiasts often refer to them as hang Drums.
Handpans come with a high price tag due to their handmade nature, often reaching up to several thousand dollars. If you find one for around a thousand dollars, be cautious as it might be a counterfeit and likely made from inferior metal.
Steel Tongue Drums, part of the handpan family, are more affordable and easier to carry. These compact versions frequently come with tuning magnets and a piezo mic.