Caring For Your Drum
We play each and every drum before it is shipped out
to make sure that it is happy and that its voice is pure.
Treat your drum like a pet. If you're happy, it's happy. Check in with your drum daily, or as often as you can. Neglect is the number one cause of drum damage.
VERY IMPORTANT: Heat and or dryness (as in a hard freeze) is the drum killer, please avoid leaving your drum in a hot car, hanging it in direct sunlight, over a heater register, stove or other heat source. Remember that your heater removes moisture from the atmosphere even if the room does not seem hot. Dryness leads to the head tightening, while the hoop remains the same size. Thinner hides can tear if exposed to too much heat/dryness. Larger drums with thicker hides can go out of round, but they tend to settle back in when the weather is cooler. In extreme cases, rawhide can be strong enough to crack the hoop. If the weather is particularly hot or dry, you can help your drum by keeping a wet paper towel in the back or misting it with water from a spray bottle. Every drum is different, please don’t judge your drum based on the behavior of other drums you have owned.
Cold and damp may make your drum sad (thumpy sounding, no resonance, the drum head may look wavy or bumpy). This will not hurt your drum in any permanent way. Thinner hides like deer and some horse are more susceptible to the weather. You can dry it gradually with a hair dryer or other gentle heat. Keep the heat source moving so that the entire surface and lacings are evenly affected. Be sure to check it often while heating.
Pet and stroke your drum often, the oil from your skin is the best thing for the head. If you will be separated for your drum for any length of time or are in extreme climates (such as desert), use a natural moisturizer such as shea butter around the sides and lacings of your drum. Apply it very minimally to the playing surface, as it will change your tone.
Bond with your drum. Decorate it, paint it, make it your own. Any non-oil-based pigment may be used. Your art can be sealed with an Artist’s Matte Fixative.
You already know how to play it. Give yourself permission. Listen to it carefully, it has things to teach you.
Wishing you a long and happy journey together,
Michelle
Your Gaia's Workshop drum makers
If your drum needs repairing, please contact us for prices.