Hoop Frame Drums

These hoop drums are the result of years of development. They can boom and whisper, be played with fingers like a tar, with a beater like a native drum, or with a double sided stick like a bodhran.

My hoop drums are based on a stoneware 'wheel rim' shaped ring. Stoneware is incredibly strong under balanced compression, so the light weight goatskin can be stretched until they sing! I use a polyester 1/8" climbing rope, that maintains its tension. They do drop slightly in tone in extreme humidity, but I have even played them in a sweat lodge. I make many of these with a tie dyed Goatskin. NEVER try to tune a drum over a fire, you may get a temporary raise in pitch, but mainly you will just dry and harden the skin, greatly shortening its life.

A wood hoop drum's resonance is deadened by the wood. When struck, these stoneware drums resonate like a deep low bell. You can waiver the drum and get an amazing throbbing sound great for healing work and guided meditations. When using a beater, a slight finger pressure on the middle of the skin from the back raises the pitch for another sound. Played with only the hands this drum offers a super responsive pallet of tones for an intricate rhythm. Try the sound of our Stoneware Ceramic Hoop drums for hand playing and you'll never go back to wood!