Big shaman drum (diameter 51 cm) has amazing deep sound. The frame is made from double layered birch plywood which has been treated with a wood wax. Hide is from Finnish reindeer which is left natural or coloured with water stain. Round shaped natural wood handle is attached to the back with strings.
Our L-sized drum has amazing deep sound with powerful vibrations so it’s suitable for serious playing and musicians. We recommend the L-sized drum if you need it also for work for example treatments and healing. Weight of the drum is about 1 kg so it can start to feel heavy in longer sessions even though its grip is great due to its wooden handle.
Maintaining
Shaman drum is a carefree instrument if you remember a few basic things:
- use grease or some leather conditioner couple times a year
- keep the drum for example on the wall but not directly on the sunlight or near a heater (strong air conditioning can also dry the drum)
- don’t leave the drum in a hot car during the summer
- The drum doesn’t like dry air humidity. The risk is that the hide becomes too tight causing it to rip (usually really cold weather equals dry air)
Tuning
The drum “lives” with the air humidity loosening it in a moist weather and tightening it in a dry weather. So, air humidity influences the sound. If your drum is too loose you can dry it in the sun or for example with a hair dryer. If your drum is too tight you can use water to moist it (for example spraying water on top of the hide or wiping with a moist cloth). The hide doesn’t respond immediately so wait a couple of minutes. Watch our video and learn more about tuning (third video from the top).
Colouring/painting
You can decorate your drum if you want. You can use an acrylic- or oil colours to paint your own art on the hide (test first if you are using different paints). You can attach talismans on the frame or carve symbols to it.
Christening
Christening a drum is an old tradition in which the drum and the owner becomes “one” and the drum turns personal. Christening is not necessary just an old tradition. Read more about the shaman drums.
