How to Make a Tire Drum
The taiko drum is a part of Japanese culture that dates back centuries. “Taiko” means “big drum” in Japanese and these gorgeous drums can cost thousands of dollars. You can make your own taiko drum for a few dollars while saving a tire from the landfill. Transform a bald old tire into an amazing percussion instrument. You can get old tires from workshops or junk yards. The tire drum makes a great practice instrument, as the muted sound will not keep your neighbors awake.
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Things You'll Need
- Water
- Liquid soap
- Scrub brush
- Old tire
- 3 rolls of 2-inch-wide clear packaging tape
- Scissors
- 8-foot nylon rope
Instructions
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1
Scrub the tire with soapy water and rinse it with clean water. This will remove grease and debris that will prevent the tape from adhering to the rubber. Do this the day before you begin your drum build so that the tire has a chance to dry completely.
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2
Lay the drum down on your working surface. Stick one side of the tape down and pull it taut over the open center of the tire. Stick it to the other side and cut the roll of tape free. Both the tape sides should overlap the edge and go halfway to the middle of the tread.
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3
Rotate the drum 90 degrees and lay another strip of tape over the same side of the drum so that the two strips form an "X” in the middle of the drum.
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4
Continue to rotate the drum while adding strips of tape so that the center of the drum is almost entirely covered with tape. There will be some small triangular gaps close to the rim. Ensure that all the tape strips cross each other in the middle, as this will form the “sweet spot” where you beat the drum.
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5
Turn the tire over and cover the other side with tape in the same way. Once both sides are covered, cover up the small triangular gaps near the edge.
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Start at one end of the tire and lay strips of tape vertically over the surface that you have already taped. Each strip of tape should overlap the previous one by one-quarter inch. The strips near the edge will be shorter, while the strips in the center will be long. Continue to stick these strips halfway down the middle of the tread. Cover the entire side of the tire with tape, then repeat for the other side.
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7
Lift the tire up and set it on its tread, like it would stand when in use. Lay strips of tape all the way around the tire tread. Start at one edge and work your way to the other. Overlap each strip of tape one-quarter inch. This will ensure that the other strips stay stuck to the tire, despite the beating you are about to give them.
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8
Wrap the rope around the middle of the tire tread and tie it off. This will form a handle so that you can transport your drum with ease. Now you have a taiko drum on which to practice.
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Tips & Warnings
Cut two lengths of an old broom stick or dowel for drum sticks.
It really helps to have a friend to assist you with the drum.
Make more than one tire drum for a percussion section.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
