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Product Specifications
What’s in the kit
Frame Drum Hoop: outer and first inner hoop in teak, second inner hoop in meranti wood.
Available in four sizes (see dimensions below).
Skin – Varies by size:
- Small and medium kits: standard goat or standard kangaroo skin
- Large and XL kits: XL goat or XL kangaroo skin.
Optional add-ons: soft mallet | padded cotton bag
Choosing your skin
Standard goat and kangaroo skins (hair off) suit small and medium hoops up to 40cm, with enough skin to wrap around to the back of the frame.
For large and XL hoops, the XL skins are needed to ensure full coverage.
For the best resonance, thin skins work best on small and medium frames.
Medium thickness skins suit the large and XL.
Lacing your drum
Cut the skin to size and use the remaining offcuts as hide strips to lace the skin to the frame and form the handle, following the traditional method.
We may include extra hide strips with larger skin orders. If you prefer rope over hide strips, 2.5mm rope is available separately.
Recommended rope lengths: Small 14m | Medium 15m | Large 17m | XL 19m
Dimensions and pitch
| Size | Diameter | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 30cm | 6cm |
| Medium | 42cm | 6cm |
| Large | 50cm | 7cm |
| XL | 60cm | 8cm |
As a general rule, the larger the drum, the deeper the resonance. The large and XL produce a rich, full bass note. The XL in particular produces a note you feel through your body.
Shipping & Returns
We dispatch most orders on the same day and ship across Australia and worldwide. Metro deliveries in Australia usually arrive within 2–5 business days, and express options are available at checkout; regional and international timeframes depend on the destination. You’ll receive tracking details when your parcel is on its way.
Need to return your order? Let us know within seven days of delivery. Please keep the item unused and in its original condition. Full details are in our Shipping & Returns policy.
Reviews
FAQs
What does the frame drum making kit include?
Each kit includes a teak and meranti wood hoop in your chosen size, and either a standard or XL goat or kangaroo skin, depending on the size you select.
Small and medium frame drum kits come with a standard skin; large and XL kits come with an XL skin.
Optional add-ons include a soft mallet and a padded carry bag.
An exclusive video tutorial on building, playing, and caring for your drum is included.
Prefer rope over hide strips for lacing? We also carry 2.5mm rope.
Which size shamanic drum making kit should I choose?
Size affects both playability and pitch.
The small (30cm) and medium (42cm) frame drum kits produce higher, brighter tones.
The large (50cm) and XL (60cm) shamanic drum kits produce a deeper bass resonance, with the XL in particular producing a note you feel through your body.
If you want depth and power go large or XL; if clarity matters more, small or medium. The other factor to consider is the weight and portability. The larger the drum, the heavier the drum.
For skin thickness, thin skins work best on small and medium frames, and medium thickness skins suit the large and XL kits.
What is the difference between goat skin and kangaroo skin in a shamanic drum making kit?
Both are natural, untreated skins that produce a warm, resonant tone. In fact, the result in terms of sound is very similar.
Kangaroo skins are more elastic, giving the frame drum a slightly brighter, more responsive sound and making it easy to work with during the building process.
Goat skin has a slightly fuller sound and more natural variation in texture. They also have more variety in aesthetics with various degrees of pigmentation and mottling.
For large and XL frames we recommend XL kangaroo or XL goat skins, as standard skins are only suited to frames up to 16 inches in diameter.
African Drumming has worked with both skins across shamanic drum making workshops in Australia for many years and stocks both so you can choose based on your preference and intended use.
Can I build my shamanic frame drum in a workshop instead of at home?
Yes. The Shamanic Frame Drum Making Workshop at our St Kilda studio is a guided alternative for anyone based in Melbourne.
The session runs two to three hours and is led one-on-one by Abli, an experienced drummer who has been running drum making workshops at African Drumming for years.
You’ll work through each stage of the build, from preparing the frame to selecting and lacing the hide, and leave with a drum you’ve made yourself, ready to play.
Individual and group bookings are available.
