Large Hybrid DoumbekDjembe, Alder
Extra Large Darabuka with ring and runes, Alder
Inlayed Cypress Ring in foot
Stained Darabukas with two reinforcing rings
|
Maple Hybrid Turkish DoumbekDjembe
Extra Large Darabuka, Cypress
Runes with White Oak ring
Stained drums
|
For a drum company which makes every drum distinct from another, customization is a basic tenet. Here are some options frequently applied to many Sylvan Temple drums:
- Tuned notes: The central pitch of a drum effects what the drum excells at; the purpose of the drum weighs heavily on this decision. Very low notes will need a larger drum, while higher notes come better from smaller drums. For example, I like an "A" from an 8" doumbek at optimal tightness.
- Reinfocing rings: A steam-bent wood ring is laminated around the drum's foot to eliminate movement and splitting. These rings are always given to the shell when it is very dry. They look good, too.
- Stains: done tastefully, this is fun.
- Runes and old languages: runes are our ancestor's perserved ideas; they connect the drum to our path in a tangible yet spiritual way. Any verse, mantra or collection of words, from any culture, may be summoned.
- Jingles and bells: The benefits of these don't end in frame drums. In the Middle East, many kinds of drums are jingled, especially darabukas.
- Hybrid drums: the most popular hybrid drums are those with characterists of both the Doumbek and the Djembe. Of course, any drum can be fused with another, such as putting a thum hole in a Bodhran, or a Jingle in a Tar -- watch out: this is Canada! But fear not: the highest respect is paid to the wonderful cultures which inspired these creations.
|
