Frame drum

The bendir, a frame drum from North Africa

A frame drum is a drum that has a drumhead width greater than its depth. Usually the single drumhead is made of rawhide or man-made materials. Shells are traditionally constructed of bent wood (rosewood, oak, ash etc.) scarf jointed together; plywood and man-made materials are also used. Some frame drums have mechanical tuning and on many the drumhead is stretched and tacked in place. It is the earliest skin drum known to have existed. Examples are found in many places and cultures. It has been suggested that they were also used to winnow grain.

Frame drums are one of the most ancient types of musical instruments. They have a simple structure with strong spiritual and entertaining effects. They are usually round, made of wood with animal skin and sometimes metal rings or plates incorporated into the drum to provide jingle. They have different sizes; the larger drums are played mainly by men in spiritual rituals and medium size drums are played mainly by women.

Frame drums originated in the ancient Middle East, India, and Rome, and reached medieval Europe through Islamic culture. The similarity of the names of frame drums in these regions shows the common history of these drums.

Types of frame drums

• Adufe (Portugal)
• Bendir (North Africa, Turkey)
• Bodhrán (Ireland)
• Buben (Russia)
• Daf (Iran, Kurdistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Middle East)
• Daffu (India)
• Dayereh (Iran, Central Asia, Balkans)
• Doyra (Uzbekistan)
• Ghaval (Azerbaijan)
• Kanjira (India)
• Mazhar (Egypt)
• Pandeiro (Brazil)
• Plenera (Puerto Rico)
• Pandereta de tuna, rondalla y estudiantina (Spain, Philippines and LatinAmerica)
• Pandero (España)
• Pandero cuequero (Chile)
• Pandero jarocho (Mexico)
• Ramana (Thailand)
• Ravann (Mauritius)
• Riq (Arabic world)
• Tamborim (Brazil)
• Tambourine (Europe, USA)
• Tamburello (Italy)
• Tammorra (Italy)
• Tar (North Africa)
• Thappu (India)
• Timbrel
• Timpan (Romania)
• Uchiwa daiko (Japan)

External links

• Glen Velez
• framedrums.de - info about instruments, videos, instructional material
• Eckermann Drums Vienna, Manufacture of custom drum membranes and instruments
• Frame Drums
• Frame Drum Central
• online community for frame drum and other world percussion
• Marla Leigh
• Knock on Wood frame Drum Page
• Frame drum videos
• Glen Velez Frame Drum Video