Description

Caring for your Drum

 By Patrick Pinson

Your drum is a living being, so you will want to honor its spirit with love and respect.  It is important to work “with” rather than “on” your drum and it will teach you much!

 Store it wrapped, face up, or hanging on a wall in a warm, dry place.  Keep it from extremes in temperature like direct sunlight, and away from gas or oil heat sources which can dry the skin and possibly split the head.  Never get the drum too close to a fire or radiator.  Never leave it in a hot car.

 The natural law of skin drums is water expands and heat constricts.  In a dry, desert climate, you can spray water on the drum or place a slightly damp cloth or paper towel on the drumhead before you wrap it in a towel or drum case.  When it is hot, cool it slowly.  You can bring the tone down (loosen) by spraying water on the drumhead, up (tighten) by using the heat from a hair dryer about 12” from the drumhead.   

 When it is damp or humid you can protect the tone by storing your drum in wool, cotton or one of our custom drum bags.  When it is cold, warm it gradually.

 Be patient if you need to restore your drum’s tone before playing.  It takes time to adjust the tone with water or heat.

 You can clean your drum by rubbing gently with a slightly damp cloth.  You can keep the drum skin conditioned and from drying out by using shea butter (we sell this product) or a natural oil or saddle soap on the head and lacing.

 Protect your drum head by keeping it wrapped, face up, never setting anything on it.  If you would like to make a painted design more permanent, you can spray the head with an artists’ matte fixative.  If your drum ever needs repair, call us at 877-34 DRUMS.