Drum Care and Etiquette
Drums are Sacred
They should always be treated with love, respect and honour.
Treat Your Drum Like a Baby
These are primitive drums and they are subject to climactic conditions. As the hide used for the Drum is natural rawhide it has its own natural oils and breathes like skin, so oiling is not necessary.
Moisture in the air causes the hide to expand and contract. Treat your drum like you would treat your own skin! Do no expose it to extreme temperatures, either hot or cold.
Don't leave your drum in the sun or in a car unattended for long periods of time - the skin will over heat and contract to the point of tearing.
Cold/ damp or humid climate: Rawhide has a tendency to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. This can cause your drum to go wavy/ ripply on the face of the drum, and gives it a flat dull sound.
Solution: Slowly warm the drum in front a fire, heater or use a hair dryer to take out some of the moisture. Take care not to over heat the drum and do not hold it too close to a heat source, especially if using a heater, gas or electric stove top element.
Holding the Drum about 12 – 15 inches above the heat source is ideal. Heating the drum from using a hair dryer also works really well.
If the heat is too hot for your skin, it is too hot for the drum
Dry/ hot Climate: Store your drum in a cool dry room especially in summer. Hot & dry days will draw moisture from the rawhide.
If you are playing your Drum in the heat it will have a tight pinging sound to it.
Solution: Place you Drum in a cool shady place for a period until it loosens up.
You do not need to use chemicals or water on the Drum
Storage: When not in use, it's best to either hang it on a wall, in a leather or cloth drum bag or store it flat (face up) and away from animals, especially dogs. This will prevent any warping of the frame due to the changes in the moisture content of the rawhide.
* Always lay your drum with the skin up. It is a sign of disrespect to Great Spirit to place your drum face down.
* Never place anything on the face of the drum. For two reasons:
- the first being again a sign of disrespect to your drum and to spirit
- second it could damage your drum.
* Never let anyone play your drum unless you give them permission.
You have placed your Medicine, your Sacred Breath into your Drum so it holds your rhythm and energy.
It is a sign of respect to you and your Drum if permission is asked before touching.
The more you play your drum the more you'll connect with it.
Enjoy Your Drum!
