Slit drum carvers commonly hollow out entire logs through a small simple slit.
Slit drums constitute one of the oldest percussive instruments, according to the Percussive Arts Society, an online resource for percussion information. Slit drums allow several tribes in various parts of the world to converse with "talking drums," states Helix Music Education Resources, an online multicultural instrument educator. Slit drums exist as simple functional instruments and large ornate conversational and dance drums. Slit drum carving often requires more tools in our advanced society than those which natives use.
Drill Bits
Many slit drum wood carvers utilize several sizes of drill bits to aid in speedy carving. Slit drums need not look pretty inside or outside, but most ornate drums focus appeal strictly to exterior surfaces, concentrating on tone only when removing inner wood. Drill bits allow for easy removal in several long hollows easily chiseled out in large sections following drilling. Slit drums typically involve removing a slit in a log surface, then hollowing out interior spaces in varying thicknesses to yield multiple percussive tones. Drill bits enter from the slit in a variety of directions to easily remove material in several planes within the solid wood.
Chisels and Mallets
Woodcarvers should use carpenter's mallets and chisels to punch out weakened material left after drilling opens up large areas within the log. Drum carvers should remember that wood pieces removed must fit through drum slits or else they will rattle within the drum permanently. Slowly and methodically removing small pieces of weakened wood allows for easy removal of loose wood without the need to carve within a carving to whittle pieces small enough to extricate from the drum slit. Once large interior portions of the log are opened into tone-producing cavities, chisels and mallets allow for rough finish work. Woodworkers looking to create beautiful and functional pieces may decide to carve motifs or clean interiors using sharp woodcarving knives.
Woodcarving Knives
Woodcarving knives provide a woodcarver with detail-creating instruments capable of intricate finish work. Using curved blades to clean and finish rough interior chisel work will result in attractive smooth interiors producing bright tones, while carving a variety of external motifs can change large and small logs alike into fantastic shapes. African slit drums often take the form of large mammals such as buffalo, states Helix Music Education Resources. Aztec artisans often produced ornate hardwood drums fashioned after alligators. Chinese Buddhist slit drums can take the form of a mythical fish with a red lacquer finish.
Tags: Slit drums, Drill bits, easy removal, Education Resources, finish work