How to Make Your Own Drum
In essence, a drum is nothing but an animal skin stretched tightly over a tube. Drum heads can be anchored on with nails, staples, complex systems of ropes or adjustable lugs. This design uses a radiator hose clamp hold the drum skin in place. It is not easily adjustable, so take care to get the drum just how you like it before you cut off the extra skin.
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Things You'll Need
- Goatskin
- Bucket
- Coffee can
- PVC tube
- Radiator hose clamp
- Knife
- Scissors
- Water
Instructions
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1
Get a drum body. Anything that is cylindrical and waterproof will work. Coffee cans, PVC tubes and heavy plastic buckets are all good options.
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2
Soak a goatskin in room temperature water until it is pliant. This should take approximately 1 hour.
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3
Stretch the goatskin over the drum. Hold the skin in the middle of the drum and pull it down evenly on all sides.
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4
Have a friend clamp a radiator hose clamp over the skin while you are stretching it. As he tightens the clamp, adjust the skin to even out the tension.
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5
Let the drum dry overnight. The skin will tighten up as it dries. Tighten the clamp further and try playing the drum.
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6
Repeat steps 2 through 5 if you aren't happy with the tension in the drum. Re-soak the goatskin and stretch it just like before.
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7
Use a knife to cut off extra skin from around the rim. Be sure to leave an extra inch or two around the rim in case the skin partially pulls out.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use heat to tighten the drum head. Hold the drum several feet above a radiator or flame and move it around to head it evenly. Then, let it cool. The drum should be much tighter.
Don't over soak the goatskin. If it becomes thick, you have put it in water for too long.
