TMRT019 Airweight 19"

TMRT017 Daire 17"

The history of the Frame Drum reaches back a long time, we know that from ancient tales of female priests and goddesses. They were chosen women who used this ritual instrument three or even four thousand years ago. The Frame Drum can thus be seen as a symbol of feminism.

This drum with a narrow frame and remarkably large beating area is especially well-known in Arabian countries and North Africa. There it is called the Bendir, Tar, Daf or Riq.

According to the old tradition a wooden frame is covered with an animal skin, which makes the drum sensitive to climatic conditions. In high humidity the skin loses its tension rapidly and the frame can warp. Therefore some drums like the Irish Bodhran have a wooden cross that stabilizes the frame. Other frames are thick and stable. People who lived in tune with nature solved this problem in a natural way: there was a fire in the middle of their gathering, so before playing the skin was warmed up and thus tuned.

But the modern musician wants to be independent of climatic moods and therefore he prefers a skin made from plastic. Highly developed materials imitate the natural skin almost perfectly and special frames offer tuning gadgets. This technical advancement has brought in many instruments of the highest quality.

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TMST334 833 004 small TMST338 833 008 large	TMST056 Gong Drum large, 56cm TMST046 Gong Drum small, 46cm	TMST136 DH-XL36 TMST146 DH-XL46
TMST300 Pow-Wow	TMST038 SH-38F TMST040 SH-40
TMST004 SH-04 from Lapland	TMST017 17"	Stick ZUSC001

Shaman drums are of Native American origin, and born entirely from the religious-ritual life of the Indians. These drums are made from solid wooden bodies or frames which are covered with thick Buffalo or Elk skin. Thin stripes of skin or sinews hold the skins in the right position. The strikers are also handmade: a carved stick and soft leather used for the beater head. Sometimes they are decorated with pearls and coloured cords. Traditionally the drum is painted with ritual symbols like eagle, buffalo, kokopelli and others.

Shaman drums are available in different sizes and covered either on only one or on both sides. Their magical sound is fascinating. As an instrument that was formerly used only for religious rites, the Shaman Drum serves nowadays for healing purposes and trance journeys.

Creative drum makers have produced modern drums with an authentic sound and look. Tuneable models are available, too.

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The Table Drum is used successfully in all kinds of therapy (music, linguistic, psychic therapy) and rhythmical-musical education. Its strong and deep vibrations are felt more than heard, especially in the lower parts of the body.

The Table Drum can be adjusted to three heights and thus played while sitting or standing. A carefully selected cow skin supplies a warm and powerful sound. The drum is perfectly suitable for group activities when several players strike the skin simultaneously with strikers or hands.

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TMBD036

TMBD017 17"

The Bodhran is an Irish frame drum. Its diameters start at 20cm and go up to 50cm, making it an exceptionally big drum. The wooden frame is covered with goat skin and usually strengthened with a cross in the centre. Modern Bodhrans offer a mechanical tuning system which helps the player either to create a low bass sound or a higher sound.

Usually the Bodhran is played in a sitting position and held upright on the knees of the player. With the right hand the Bodhran is played with a wooden striker, the so-called beater, tipper or stick. With the left hand one touches the inside of the skin and changes the height of the tone by slight pressure and different hand positions. To use the stick needs a lot of practice as the technique is quite unique and sophisticated: the stick whirls over the skin very fast.

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TMPA100

This very popular typical Brazilian Bell Drum is mostly heard in Samba and Capoeira, the fighting game of Brazil. Its origin is in the Arabian area though. In a solid frame made of plastic or wood there are a couple of flat metal plates fixed in pairs, whose size and quality fundamentally influence the sound. The tightly stretched skin is either animal or plastic skin. The experienced musician produces the typical tips and slaps with the help of the thumb and the ball of the hand

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TMTA100 small	TMTA120 small	TMTA130 tunable
TMTA200 small w/ bells	TMTA208 8S, D25cm	TMTA216 16S, D26cm

The Tambourine or Bell Drum is a percussion instrument. It consists of a one-sided covered frame made from metal, plastic or wood, with vaulted bells, mostly in pairs. The Tambourine was already known in Ireland and Egypt a very long time ago and was commonly used for dancing. Today this manifold instrument is used in almost all music styles and pedagogy. The drum can be played with the fingers, the palm, the fist, or a striker.

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TMDJ017 17,5cm TMDJ022 22,5cm TMDJ025 25cm TMDJ030 30cm TMDJ035 35cm	ZUDG001 Djembe Strap ZUDG002 Djembe Strap	ZUDS001 Djembe Cord TS1040
Djembe Skin ZUDF002 half goatskin, tanned SK501	Djembe Skin ZUDF001 tanned, round, thin GR 1694

The history of the drum is linked with the history of man. The stroke on the drum gives us the rhythm of earth. It reminds us of its heartbeat – of our heartbeat. The Djembe is a symbol of the power, life and pulse of Africa. Almost nobody can withstand the magic of an African drumming group. They create complicated interwoven rhythms that seem unusual for the Western ear but can be felt in every cell of the body.

This is the most popular drum of Africa. Its origin is in Guinea, later on it was found in Senegal too. The wooden body with the shape of a cup is carved out of one piece and covered with a sophisticated strap system for tuning. This makes it possible to retune the drum or to change the skin. Modern Djembes are made from plastic with a more developed tuning system.

Traditionally the Djembe is played in the daily life of a tribe and closely linked with the ceremonies and rituals of African people. A typical way to play is the combination of many Djembes with the bass drums and the bell which are essential for the basic beat.

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The Talking Drum or Dundun originates in Nigeria. With the help of drumming speech, important messages could be delivered in Africa within a few seconds. The Talking Drum fulfils an essential task as a “jungle phone”.

Its body has the shape of an hour glass and is covered with two skins which are connected by leather straps. The drummer holds the instrument under one arm and strikes the skin with a special bent stick. By pressing and loosening the straps, the height of the sound can be changed. In that way the player creates interesting patterns and charming glissandi.

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The Bongo comes from Cuba. Actually it is made from two small drums linked to each other. They are made from wood, fibre glass, other plastic, or even clay. Most Bongos are tuneable using a special system which is similar to that of a Conga.

Both drums are of the same height, the diameter of the skin can vary between 15 and 25 cm. The player holds the drum tightly between the knees while the bigger drum is close to the dominant hand. Usually one plays the Bongo with the fingers, sometimes with light drum set sticks.

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TMUD015 U15 TMUD060 U60 TMUD080 U80

Children know very well that household utensils are wonderful musical instruments. Thus it is not a surprise that the native inhabitants of Africa (in this case, Nigeria) discovered once upon a time that their storage jugs produced interesting sounds. The Udu (pronounced Oodoo) was born. Henceforth it was played in ceremonies and for dancing. But clay jugs are used for music in other countries, too. A famous example is the Ghatam from India.

The models of Udu we present here are made in Germany. They were refined by a creative potter with musical talent. The drum is held on the lap; one hand is placed over the side hole—while opening and closing it rhythmically you create the bass tone. Press the palm slightly into the hole while doing it! The opening of the jug is for lighter sounds. You can even use the whole body for drumming with the fingers.

U15—piccolo: pet of the family with a great sound! The removable shaker at the opening supports the sound. Easy to handle.
U80: The long neck of this model gave it its name: Neck Udu. The sound produced at the opening is high and a good complement to the bass sound
U60: Sonorous bass sounds await you! The shape is similar to the East-Nigerian type.

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TMKD805 833 805 TMKD835 833 835 TMKD840 833 840

Kids like colours: that is what the creators of Remo Drums thought. They should be solid and long lasting, too. So this series of drums made from coloured plastic was born. There is something for everybody: a pair of bongos or a single piece, long or small. The timbre is rather high but they sound good. The drums can be played with the hand or with sticks, and some have a strap. Kids can have a good romp and the ears of the adults are not overstrained too much.

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TMKD001 BL 143,01 TMKD002 BL 143,02 TMKD003 BL 143,03

For children, drums can never be too solid or too loud, as they have to withstand their overflowing life energy! The Kid Drum series of Reno offers exactly these qualities. The drum body is made from solid wood covered with thick cow skin which invites you to sit on it. In that way the drum is fulfilling two roles at the same time: a percussion instrument and a stool. A great advantage is that the drum need not be tilted or held for playing: it has feet so that the sound can unfold naturally. Different sizes correspond to different needs, hence sonority and timbre vary. They're very enjoyable!

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