Ashiko

1. What can I do if my natural skin drum head is affected by heat and humidity?
2. What is the difference between an African drum with hair versus one without?
3. How do I tune a standing drum, ashiko, or djembe?

If the head is loosened due to humidity, one can tighten the head with a damp cloth placed on the head for about 15 minutes. Then let the head dry naturally. It is important to make sure water does not get into the glue joint. If the drum is a tabla, water must not get on the gaab (center black dot). Also, applying heat from a hair dryer will tighten the head.

Back to Top

A skin with hair on it still has the natural oils which produce more subtle and lower bass tones. Also, the hair (and therefore, natural oils) promotes strength. A skin without hair produces a crisper sound with higher pitches.

Back to Top

How do I tune a standing drum, ashiko, or djembe?

These are all rope tuned (unless you have a tunable model which uses a tuning wrench) and the heads are tightened by tightening the rope. Click here for instructions.

Back to Top