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Making a Shaman DrumI obtain the best hides I can. I treat them with ceremony, respect, prayer, and gratitude. Making a shaman drum is an involved process. You have to consider the quality of the hide. How tightly can you lace it? Does it have any weak spots? Are you making the drum for a dry environment or a humid one? |
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Soak the drumskin and lacing in a tub until they pliable. Thinner hides, such as bear and horse, may be ready in 4 hours. Most other hides are ready in 8 hours, but the thickest buffalo and moose require up to 16 hours. |
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Place the drumskin rough side up on some old towels, and center the drum hoop on the drumskin. The lacing, a single 30-foot strand, is next to the drumskin and hoop. |
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Lace the drumskin by following the diagram and instructions I provide. Take care to keep the hoop centered in the drumskin. Several rounds of tightening give the drum its tone and resonance. |
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Wrap the center of the lacing with one end of the lacing to form the first half of the handle. Take care to make sure the handle is in the center of the drum. The drum is slightly oval at this point due to additional tension from lacing the handle. |
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Wrap the other end of the lacing around the remaining strands of lacing to form the second half of the handle. The drum has its round shape again as the handle is completed. The additional tightening created by making the handle further ensures the drum's excellent tone and resonance. |
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Cut off the ends of the lacing. The drum is ready to dry. If you look carefully, you will see that the sides of the hide bulge out from the hoop. |
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This view shows the excellent color and spotting variations in this hide. The side bulges are very apparent in this image. A cloth strip will be wrapped around the hoop to pull in those bulges as the drum dries. |
Completed Shaman DrumTwenty-four hours later, the drum is ready to use! |
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...In the left hand image, note the centered handle. That's visually appealing and makes it easy to hold the drum.
...In the central image, note the "scalloping" of the edge of the drumskin. That shows off the natural wood hoop. ...In the right hand image, note the texturing and images of this drumskin. There is a lot to see and experience! |
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These are carefully crafted step-by-step drummaking instructions, including an easy-to-follow diagram. |
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1. Click on the "Add to Cart" image for the item you want. 2. Give PayPal the same kinds of information that you supply to any online merchant. (In North America, you can also pay with a check or money order. Please send to the address below.) |
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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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at the left to go to the Shamanic Art: Ceremonial Drums and Rattles home page. |
P.O. Box 11, Elbing, KS 67041 (316) 799-2989 drummaker@beardrum.com |
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