The story of my broken drum

 

Pictured above is my favorite hand drum called a Doumbek. It's a middle eastern drum I bought when I attended a Percussive Arts Society convention in Ohio back in 2002. This drum saw me through so many happy times in drum circles I led with young adults with disabilities as well as senior drum circles. One favorite way I used the drum was passing it around the circle and letting everyone get a chance to lead the circle. One day though, someone dropped the drum and the head broke. After this it sat in silence for over 3 years. This is because I could not find anyone locally who would know how to fix it (unusual kind of drum) and the shop where I bought it 19 years ago went out of business. 

Recently, I got the drum out and decided it was time to figure out how to fix it. I googled, "How to change a drum head on a doumbek" and found an instructional video. I saw it looked pretty easy! Next I had to figure out what kind of bolts held in the drum head and what tool I needed to turn them. I sent a picture to a drum shop in TX about this and he told me I needed a "Hex key." Since I did not know the exact size, I ordered a whole set of hex keys. 

Next, I measured the drum head and ordered a replacement. When it came, I was excited to begin the project of fixing this drum. However, it was not the right size drum head. In doing more research, I discovered I measured the whole head of the drum (the outer extension that fits over the hoop) and that is a different measurement than the playing surface of the drum. I am telling you all these details so you can see all that went into this project! Once carefully re-measurued, I ordered another replacement head. 

When that arrived, it fit like a glove! However, I was unable to turn the bolts tightly enough by hand using just the hex key. I needed either a drill or a socket wrench. Turned out my upstairs neighbor had just the right tool for me (socket wrench) and viola! It worked! 

All of these steps from start to finish took me about 2 months. I am very happy because I learned so much in this process and also discovered I like learning about new tools and I even ordered myself my own socket wrench set. I never would have thought I would be someone into tools but there it is! 

I had even thought of getting rid of the drum because I didn't know I could fix it myself and if I were to hire someone, by the time I paid for parts and labor, it would have cost more than the drum itself. 

I tell you this story as an example of how music and caring of instruments is a continual learning and growing experience. Now I have even more appreciation of this drum since I spent so much time researching how to fix it. 

I plan to play this drum with my church group who sings sacred chants once a month. 

In the meantime, if you have any bolts that need tightening, give me a call! :)