Good starting material is essential for producing a good end result. Gourds that are old and dry break easily. So do ones with thin shells. The best place to buy a gourd for instrument making purposes is from a local supplier like a farm or farmer’s market where you can get a close look at […]

When preparing drumhead made of natural material such as goat or calfskin, all drum makers warn against the water being too hot because it can extract the natural glue–like and protein components of the material resulting in a loss of elasticity. Truth be known, we have accidentally gotten the water rather warm to the touch […]

The Güirophone (Figure 1) which is described starting on page xxx of Gourd Drum Engineering was the result of a “happy” accident. The little gourd was intended to be used for prototyping a snare drum and as we got near the end of the first cut, SNAP!—the side of the rim broke. It happens. We […]