Aug 23, 2008
Finding a Drum with a Little Backbone!
Every drum has its unique quality, with no drum better than another. There are round, oval, six or eight sided. The hide could be elk, horse, cow, buffalo, or other leather.
Drums vary in the thickness of the hide, with a thicker leather having a deeper tone. Thinner leather may have more resonance. It all depends on the preparation of the hide prior to stringing, and then the tension created when the drum is strung.
The hides can have a variety of shadings and anomalies. In a recent batch of drums I participated in making, several of the hides had white spotting. Some of the marking tell wonderful stories!
Occasionally you can find a drum with the backbone running down the center, like this one. The backbone can contain the spirit of the animal and carry that energy through in drumming. The hide is usually thicker in the backbone as well. If nothing else, it certainly adds character!
I call this drum the Journey Drum, and use this drum to illustrate our journey as we walk upon the earth. The Journey Drum will join me at the next Healing Drum Retreat.
