Saturday 15 May 2021

My home-made Renaissance side drum.

A side drum is an ancient kind of large drum that was used in Europe by the landsknechts, mercenaries from the German area. Said troops fought on the side of the highest bidder, and they even were part of the Spanish infantry under emperor Carlos I.

Said drum was played to one side, under the arm pit, thus its name. It was played together with fifes and was used to march, transmit orders, entertain the soldiers...

 


This project starts with a 18"x18" Gonalca surdo which was crying for a new chance.

 

© David Valdés

 

I took all the hardware and the wrap off, leaving the shell in its "natural" state.

 

© David Valdés

 

18"x13" seems to be a normal size for these drums, so I cut the shell to nearly 14" in depth.

 

© David Valdés


Quite obviously, I kept the remainig shell, which is now an instrument I will write about in the future. Now it was time to cover the holes...


© David Valdés


...and to cut the protuding dowels.


© David Valdés

 

I sanded both sides of the shell so they were smooth and then glued a new veneer:


© David Valdés


The shell was ready. I then drilled two diametrically opossed groups of three holes to accommodate the pegs in charge of tensioning the snares. Six viola tuning pegs were inserted, which I drilled so the gut could pass through:


© David Valdés

 

I got two wooden counterhoops at Thomann, which I drilled (16 times each) at a 22.5º angle to facilitate the passing of the rope.

 

© David Valdés

 

I cut two snare gates in the resonant counterhoop for the snares:

 

© David Valdés

 

I made 16 ears using leather pads and ribbon:

 

© David Valdés


Everything was ready: the 16 ears, 22 metres of hemp rope (7mm. thick) and two goat heads (the batter one slightly thicker, both mounted on wooden flesh hoops) I got at Baena Sonido.


© David Valdés


Here you can see the pig tail, the knot that ends the roping and keeps the tension. See how the ends of the rope are covered with leather tape so they do not fray:


© David Valdés


A chain is "knit" with the remaining rope, which is attached around the lower counterhoop. This is how the drum looks like once roped:

 

© David Valdés


I made the snares using natural gut I also got at Baena Sonido.


© David Valdés


I passed the gut through the hole I previously drilled on the pegs, securing it with a figure of 8 knot (the gut was wet, so it was malleable and easy to work with).

 

© David Valdés
 
 
© David Valdés


© David Valdés

 

As a last detail I added to rope loops, which will be used to secure the cotton sling I will use to hang the drum from my right shoulder. See how the ends of the rope are covered with leather tape:

 

© David Valdés

 

This is how the finished drum looks like:

 

© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés


© David Valdés

 

And this is how it is played:

 

© David Valdés


© David Valdés


 

Stay tuned, as I will soon publish a video featuring this drum. As always, I will be more than happy to listen to your comments, advises, opinions...


…et in Arcadia ego.
© David Valdés