Mission Del Rey Blog

Why do rawhide drums sometimes arrive sounding flat out of the box?  The affect that the change in weather is the issue.  Rawhide expands and contracts all the time naturally. It's really apparent during times of high humidity, like when a thunderstorm comes through the area. If they are exposed to severe humidity like in a box, in a truck or warehouse, they actually go flat but they will tighten up as the hides adjust.  Cowhide which is very thick takes a little longer to dry o …

Native American hand drums are sometimes called frame drums and throughout Native American history have been a traditional style hoop drum except that the drum ring is a frame built up from many pieces of wood rather than a hoop of bent wood. They are often used in ceremonies and celebrations as well as for meditation or medicine with most Native Americans. In modern society, they are used to teach people about the American Indian culture and often even used as decoration. In some cases, th …

Genuine log drums made with tree trunks are easy to hold and play while seated and have a strong voice that doesn't quickly give out with prolonged drumming or storage in humid conditions. All American Indian natural rawhide hand drums are affected by humidity and may temporarily lose tension in the hide. When placed in the sun or dried they quickly recover. Double sided trunk hand drums are the most resistant to humidity. Things that make trunk drums unique is that each tree …