Single-headed drums were one of the most common types of drums in Native American music. being one of the most simple and easy drums to construct and play, they were found in most tribes across all of North America. Additionally they had multiple uses such as games, entertainment, personal or curing songs. The drum is constructed with a hide stretched over the frame as the drum head. It could be played with either bare hands or a drum beater, a mallet (shown left).
The frame of a single-headed drum is exceptionally skinner and shallower then most other Native American drums. It is a strip of wood approximately 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide (the depth of the frame). This strip is then soaked and bent into a circle, the shape of the drum, with a diameter of approximately 33-50 centimeters (13-20 inches). The type of wood often varies but common woods are from maple and cedar trees.
The head of any Native American drum is constructed with animal hide, which also varies. Common used hides include deer, elk, moose, buffalo or bison, although deer and elk were more popularly used. The hide is stretch across the frame, completely covering one face of the drum. It is then fastened with leather string to thongs on the other face of the drum. The thongs are used as a handle while playing. In Native American culture, the drum is always held with the left hand. The head of the drum is then struck with the right hand or a beater in the right hand. Some particular Native American tribes added snares to their single-headed drums, which created an additional buzzing sound when struck.
The frame of a single-headed drum is exceptionally skinner and shallower then most other Native American drums. It is a strip of wood approximately 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide (the depth of the frame). This strip is then soaked and bent into a circle, the shape of the drum, with a diameter of approximately 33-50 centimeters (13-20 inches). The type of wood often varies but common woods are from maple and cedar trees.
The head of any Native American drum is constructed with animal hide, which also varies. Common used hides include deer, elk, moose, buffalo or bison, although deer and elk were more popularly used. The hide is stretch across the frame, completely covering one face of the drum. It is then fastened with leather string to thongs on the other face of the drum. The thongs are used as a handle while playing. In Native American culture, the drum is always held with the left hand. The head of the drum is then struck with the right hand or a beater in the right hand. Some particular Native American tribes added snares to their single-headed drums, which created an additional buzzing sound when struck.