Steven Kauder Elbing, Kansas (316) 799-2989 drummaker@beardrum.com

Caring for Your Shaman Drum Little care is required for your drum, and it should last for many years with minimal effort on your part. However, all hide drums are susceptible to humidity and temperature changes. Thinner hides (elk, horse, and bear) are more sensitive, and thicker hides (buffalo and moose) are more tolerant. In a humid environment, you can improve your drum tone by putting it in a sunny window for a few minutes and letting the drum tighten naturally. In an arid environment, you can improve your drum tone by spraying it lightly with a water spray bottle and letting the drum relax naturally.

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Honor Your Drum by Caring for it Respectfully If your drum is too hot, let it cool slowly. If your drum is too cold, let it warm slowly. If your drum is wet, let it dry slowly.

Desiccants ("drying agents") If you live in a humid environment, you can prevent your drum from losing its tone by storing it with a desiccant. You put your drum and the desiccant into a plastic bag and seal the bag. The desiccant can even tighten up a drum that has lost its tone. A bag of desiccant can be re-activated and used repeatedly. The extra-large desiccant bag absorbs more and last longer.	Large Desiccant Bag 9 ounces (255g)	Ex. Large Desiccant Bag 18 ounces (510g)
	8 in. x 4 in. (20 cm x 10 cm)	10 in. x 4 in. (25 cm x 10 cm)

Managing Humidity Helps Your Drum

I use an hygrometer, which is a simple and inexpensive instrument that measures humidity. I keep the humidity between 25% and 40% in the winter and between 35% and 50% in the summer, and each of my drums has an excellent tone. (FYI, an hygrometer can be purchased for as little as $5.)

Leather Drum Mallets are Favored in Higher Humidity Click here to see my drum mallets

Padded Drum Bag This is the best drum bag I have found. This drum bag has excellent padding and has handles and a strap that make it simple to transport your drum comfortably. This drum bag is made for a bodhran (Irish frame drum), so the drum mallet pocket is too short for the mallets I make. I still prefer this bag to others -- it is the kind I use myself.		Dimensions: 18.5 in. x 4 in. (47 cm x 10 cm)
Breathable ballistic nylon Reinforced interior lining Well padded	Adjustable/detachable shoulder strap Webbed nylon handles Available in black (only)

...or, Make Your Own Drum Bag
	One client made this cloth drum bag for his Buffalo Drum. It looks so good that I thought he had painted his drum! You could make a drum cover like this for your drum.
	Another client made this cloth wrap to protect her Bear Drum. The wrap is stunning, and it will keep her drum tight and lengthen its life. You could make a protective wrap for your drum.

PRODUCT	PRICE	SHIPPING	TOTAL COST
Large Desiccant Bag 9 oz/255 g	$12	$4	$16
Extra Large Desiccant Bag 18 oz/510 g	$20	$6	$26
Padded Drum Bag	$40	$10	$50

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NOTES FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS Additional shipping charges apply outside the continental U.S. (Click here to email for quote.) Customs duties and import restrictions are the customer's responsibility.

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The small fine print: © 2002 - 2012 by Steven Kauder.