TABLE DRUM   

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Table Drum   

Another specialty in the world of drums is the Table Drum: It offers a large surface for rhythmic communication and fosters a communal experience by playing together. Every single player is in direct contact with all of the other players, both audibly as well as physically. The individual player is carried from the group and the individual also carries the other players in the group. The Table Drum helps to cultivate conscious listening to and the attentive cooperation with one another. Through the individual expression of the player a composition is created – a momentary recording of the groups experience. Through the use of carefully selected natural hides and its huge dimension, the Table Drum offers a wide spectrum of dynamic sounds and noises – from fine soft fingertip tapping to the strong and expressive “joyful roar”. The use of the simple tuning mechanic, makes tuning to the right pitch effortless.

A carefully selected natural hide is nailed to the wood frame with three rows of sturdy round headed brass coated nails.

The Table Drum comes with a cover panel of 12 mm (½") thick plywood that not only protects the drum but turns the Table Drum into a table top in seconds.

The stand of the Table Drum is continuously adjustable in its height from 80 cm (31") to 110 cm (43") and allows playing while sitting as well as standing.

The Table Drum with holding straps evolved from a suggestion from music therapists that wanted a drum for group playing that at the same time provided physical and communication experiences in movement. The Table Drum with holding straps functions like a pow-wow drum and is used in group play. Its distinctive feature is that six players – each with one hand holding a strap and the other hand holding a beater – can comfortably play the drum. Thereby is the immediate feeling of being one with the drum and one with the other players in the group promoted and enhanced. The players are also mobile which means that in addition to the playing of rhythms there is also the possibility of moving through the room as a group. The coordination between the individual players must therefore be found in a communicative way.

Stretched with sturdy horse hide, this drum can be used in a variety of situations. It is tunable and has the same tuning mechanism like all of our Frame Drums.

Like for the African Table Drum (see below) there is also a stand for this drum. It is a very stable three-legged stand made of solid beech wood and folds together.

This Bass Drum, that with the stand can also be used as a Table Drum, is suited not only for the Bass accompaniment of different music ensembles but can also be used for a small group sitting or standing around the drum. It can be played with bare hands as well as different sticks or beaters, the sound can be additionally dampened with the bare hand. The frame is made of joined African hardwoods and is stretched with two unshaved calf skins. The tension can be adjusted with the classic Djembe-knot technique. The practical three-legged stand gives good stability.