How to Choose a Hand Drum

If this is your first time purchasing a hand drum, the good news is that it's hard to go wrong. There are many factors to consider when you are ready to choose a hand drum, from size and shape to skin, tuning, and price, but all of these selections basically boil down to preference. Consider these tips, then pick the drum you enjoy the most, so you can get on with the important business of practicing and playing! These suggestions apply specifically to hand drums, that is, any type of drum that you play primarily by hitting it with your hands.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Think about how you imagine playing when you choose your hand drum. The two most popular styles of hand drum are goblet-shaped drums (which most players hold in their lap, on a strap, or between their legs) and frame drums (which are simple circular frames with a head stretched over them, generally held with one hand and struck with the other, or braced against the floor and played with both hands, depending on the size of drum). There are many specific styles of both of these families of drums, plus several other less common types.

2. Figure out what size of drum you want. Large drums usually have a much deeper sound, so there is definitely an aesthetic element to this decision. However, it's also important to consider where and when you intend to use your drum. If you will play it mostly at home or in a certain practice place, size is probably not much of an obstacle. If, on the other hand, you hope to use it for drum circles, festivals, or other events, think about how you will transport it and whether you might get sick of carrying and keeping track of a large drum.

3. Choose the type of skin you want on your drum. These days, the major choice is between synthetic and animal skins. Synthetic skins have gotten quite good, and have the advantage of being more durable and resistant to changes in weather. If you choose a synthetic skin, try to go for the papery-feeling, lightly textured heads rather than the thin, obviously plastic ones. On the other hand, some people swear by the sound and feel of real skin. This is a personal choice. Goat skin is a common, versatile option, while others, such as fish skin, may have a very crisp or otherwise unique sound but require even more special treatment.

4. Learn about the different types of head. Since drum heads eventually wear out with heavy use, an important question to ask is whether the drum you like can be reheaded. Normally if a drum head can be replaced, this is much cheaper than replacing the whole drum, especially if you can make the switch yourself. In addition, some drums have screws or ropes that can be used to tighten and tune the head occasionally. This is handy, especially if you are picky about the sound of your drum, because most drum heads stretch out and lose some of their tone over time. However, neither of these features are essential, especially for beginners.

5. Try out your options. While thinking about the factors above, as well as your price range, try a lot of different styles before you choose a hand drum, and see how you like the sound and feel of them. Make sure to hit the drum in the middle as well as near the rim, since you will probably be using both of these sounds when you play.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're in the market for a simple and inexpensive drum, check out the lines of kids drums made by some major percussion companies. These drums often offer many of the same features at a great introductory price.
• Don't assume that the most expensive drum is the best quality. There are many factors that go into the pricing of drums. Just try to choose one that you enjoy playing.