Hand Drums

Hand Drums has existed before the year 6000 BC and is one of the oldest instruments in the world. All cultures recognize this instrument as Africa. In the past, drums consisted only of tom-toms (drum parts that formed like drums). The influence of the Europeans and Middle Eastern countries with  Africans made the famous hand drum and snare drum. In 1500 AD, Europe colonized America. They brought the people of Africa and made them slaves. There was a big impact of many cultures from these 3 countries mixed up. There is one prohibition for the African nation that is not allowed to play a musical instrument of white people, so they make their own musical instrument that is the famous Hand Drum (Djembe, Talking Drum, and others). When in the 20th century AD, Americans were interested in learning all African culture. Hand percussion Drum is the oldest musical instrument in the world. They use this instrument as a dance accompanist at traditional ceremonies and warning signs of war.

Now a lot of hand drums are created by many countries in the world. Here's a list of countries with their drums:

Africa: Djembe Drum has a big cup shape.

                                Congas has a barrel-like shape.

Brazil: Pandeiro has a form like a tambourine with a metal jingle.

Cuban: Bongos have a shape of two small drums.

India: Tabla consists of 1 small wooden drum and 1 bigger metal drum.

Ireland: Bodhran drum that has a circular frame.

Japan: A large taiko drum that has a lot of variety.

North America: Drum hoop drum that has a circular frame.

Peru: Cajon a wooden box-shaped instrument.

Thailand: Klong Yao musical instrument with a long trophy.

Among the many types of instrument drum handlers, there are some very famous, such as Djembe, Congas, Bongos, and Cajon. There are many reasons why some of these instruments are popular and well-liked:

• Easy to play.
• Suitable collaborated with many musical genres.
• Using natural materials and certainly not easily damaged.
• The sound issued by the instrument is very beautiful and natural.
• Easy to carry anywhere and more.

Hand drums are very friendly and able to unify the differences in the world. Everyone gets satisfaction and peace when dissolved in the music. Played with a simple technique that only uses the hands, no matter the social status of the people in the world all mingle and make the world smile peacefully. The uniqueness and history of each type of drum hand-make many people fall in love and want to keep playing it. Cultural music is very rare and can adapt to modern life as it is now. 

Here's a simple way to play some the percussion drums:

1. Djembe Drums

A simple way to play it:

• Sound "Tung" or slap using blow technique at the edges that have a distance of 5 cm from the perimeter
• The sound "Dung" is produced from hitting the middle with one hand and finger hands must be tight.
• The sound of "Tak" can be made by putting one hand in the middle of Djembe with the vertical position and the other hand performing a slap technique.

2. Congas

You can play this instrument in a simple way:

• Abierto (Open Tone) is playing this instrument with four fingers on the edge which produces clear tone resonance with the different pitch.
• Bajo de Palma (Bass Nada) is a technique that strikes using the palm of the hand in the middle of Congas which will produce a low sound.
• Seco (Slap) is to play this instrument quickly using the palm of the hand and fingers that will make dancers follow the tone of Congas.
• Toque de Punta (Touch) is a technique using the fingers and heel of the palm on the head drum.

3. Bongos

A simple technique you can use when you start playing this hand drum instrument:

• Open Tone Stroke is hitting the edge of the drum head with the palm of the hand with a finger that bounces off the drum head.
• Slap the relaxed position of the hands and then bend the fingers and hit the head of the drum.
• Heel-tip movement is a technique that puts the hand on the drum head and strikes with palm, fingers in turn.
• The Basic muted tone is to hit the hand drum in a smooth manner with the touch of a finger.

4. Cajon Instrument

This is a simple technique for learning to play this instrument:

• Hit is  using half palms
• Bass is a technique that strikes with the whole palm
• Tap is hit using the fingertips
• Slap that hit Cajon like poking with your fingertips

Playing some instruments is fun, you can invite your friends or form a band. If you want to have Djembe, Cajon, Bongos or any other instrument. You can entrust it to us Bali Treasures. Our company offers wholesale hand drum with special discounts. We have manufactured a lot of hand drums and other instruments and exported them to the different countries around the world. Made with legal and high-quality material, handmade, and of course done by a professional workforce. Engraving on each instrument has a high artistic value. Located at Jalan Raya Andong, Peliatan, Ubud, Bali and you can also call us +6361 9789637.


Related Articles: 

1. Djembe drum, one of the best hand percussion instruments in the world.
2. Easy tips to learn hand drum at home.

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