Talk:Hand drum


 * I have to dispute the flawed reading of the definition of hand drum. hand drums are hardly restricted to a single frame body with a head on one end.  This description is of the most simple frame drum.  The belief that the hand drum definition implies all hand drums fall under the membraphone category would be assumption.  By definition a hand drum is only a drum played by hand.  Since frame drums existed on most continents in some form it is only the most simple example of a hand drum, without actually defining what a hand drum is.

So far as Hang replacement and opening the question of a Cajon if anyone is able to provide a categorization for these instruments other than just saying they are too new age or unique to fall under any sub category of percussion I'll be happy to accept that, it would be welcome. Without neutral organizations providing proper categories for instruments we can only define by usage and purpose. Steel drums are drums, handpans are a new development of a hand played steel drum sounding as different from other hand drums as a steel drum sounds from a drum kit...evolution does nothing to erase standards. Construction and usage must be used as defining factors to encompass new technologies unless new common usage categories (rather than single item "look at what I made that is so wonderful") must be used to enable overall communication between different people and musicians allowing people to find compatible instruments. To exclude these unique and genius instruments from hand drums, we must have a legitimate category. Based on the fact that a Steel drum is still a drum, a hang in spite of having a very sensitive surface, construction, and sound is best classified as a hand drum. Insistence that legitimate sources provide new defined categories before removing these from consideration as hand drums simply allows new drummers to become aware of the instruments increasing awareness, exposure, and simplifying communication. I apologize if the creators dislike this and can only encourage that instead of altering Wikipedia pages the creators petition legitimate music organizations, dictionaries, and encyclopedias to add entries for these instruments so that standards can be set.


 * HANG Originally this was listed under new age and was removed with the statement that the DRUM article states a handpan is not a drum. This is disputed by a drum dealer that has sold a Hang and a Hang owner based on technique used playing the instrument. No real citation was listed for the removal of Hang from the hand drum page, checking the linked drum page said nothing about material or sound requirements for drum classification.  Although acknowledged that the "handpan" is a new type of instrument from the point of view of a drummer, percussionist, or consumer it is played like a drum, and collected by drum collectors rather than only percussionists or bell collectors.  Any future removal of Hang as a drum or hand drum must be CITED by a legitimate source OUTSIDE of Wikipedia or single dealer's page.  Legitimate disputes would be from certified musical associations.  Until a new legitimate definition is provided giving handpans their own category (handpan is NOT a category it is a specific design group of instruments) we must use a classification that allows the general public to understand who uses the instrument and how by intended design.  With great respect for the original creators of this instrument it must be understood it is marketed to drum players, and although the distinction is noted in that the instrument is very unique this lacks justification for an entirely new classification of instrument drum quite simple fits better than bell.  Justification for similar playing techniques for another hand drum would be hand technique used on a simple frame drum to imitate a "whale" song.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by Blackbird013 (talk • contribs) 22:02, 8 November 2013 (UTC)


 * Darbuka: Although it is understood that there has been a huge amount of confusion mixing darbukas and Doumbeks by definition any experienced hand drum player that is familiar with or plays both drums can easily show the difference.  The Doumbek general definition of origins is not accurate as the Darbuka is a Turkish design rather than the doumbek, but unraveling and linking this properly could prove more difficult so I left it alone.  Darbukas should not be confused with Doumbeks by the public as the uninformed could buy a darbuka, and try to use doumbek technique resulting in frustration and pain.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by Blackbird013 (talk • contribs) 22:08, 8 November 2013 (UTC)

The original Djembe information removal was biased. While I admit that it is hard to find information, especially presented in a way that explains the physics and dynamics of inner drum chamber construction basic information that helps people understand theory is all that can be provided without cited verified information provided. Regardless of opinion the physics of drum internal chamber construction and the evolution of construction is important to understand. The reasons it is believed the grooves help sound channeling are very important for drum owners. I would be thrilled if someone can explain better verbally what I learned through physical demonstration and videos. The difference between drums built with attention to detail on the inside and outside is considerable in financial value. Inspecting a Djembe on the inside including feeling the chamber grooves is common before buying a quality traditionally constructed Djembe. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Blackbird013 (talk • contribs) 21:09, 18 December 2013 (UTC)

Nonsense additions for djembe
Most of the statements in the djembe sections are unsourced, irrelevant, and wrong.

- The term "master series djembe" is meaningless. It is a western marketing term used by various djembe retailers to designate what they consider their better drums. There are numerous "master series djembes" for sale that are utter junk, and the term does not exist in djembe countries. The wording in several places implies that the term "master series djembe" is well-accepted (it is not), and that all "master series djembes" have the spiral carving. That is untrue as well. The spiral pattern is a by-product of the tools and carving technique used, and many djembes ("master series" or not) have it.

- The claim that the "sharper sound is due to less control allowing the sound to escape the chamber more quickly" is nonsense. The speed of sound is unaffected by the surface texture.

- "The spiral nature of the internal carving helps guide sound waves to control when the sound waves converge in the upper chamber before exiting to the lower chamber." This is nonsense. There is no such thing as the surface "guiding" sound waves. Please see Helmholtz resonance.

- "Softer" refers to a perception in the change of the sound, which can be relative." What information does this sentence provide? That some people think it sounds softer, while other's don't? In that case, the sentence adds zero information.

- "The Spiral carving purpose is to help control the convergence of the sound waves coming directly from the head, and the sound waves guided down the sides of the chamber moving towards the center." That's rubbish. It is physically impossible to "control the convergence of the sound waves" (whatever that means) with a surface texture whose size is the tiniest fraction of the wavelengths involved.

- "Theoretically the spiral carvings assist a more perfect convergence of the sound waves in the bottom of the chamber." Theoretically? Where is the theory and the references to it?

The entire section is unsourced, makes claims that contradict acoustics, and non-encyclopaedic. It should be removed.