Cooperman Classic Models are the "standard," the benchmark, design for our frame drums. Adding embellishments - like jingle plates, or rings, or snare strings- or varying the "architecture" of the drum - like very deep or shallow shells - can change the tonal palette of the drum. Similarly, altering the dimensions or the grip can facilitate a unique playing style.
Once you've become comfortable with the tar drum, it's time to explore the full range of frame drum possibilities - tambourines/jingled drums are a great place to start.
How about adding some snares?
Maybe the simplest embellishment to a classic tar drum is adding snare strings - the bendir versions of the tars have a haunting, buzzing sound:
Buy Cooperman Classic Bendirs:
How about adding some jingles?
Egyptian style Riqs are a popular way to explore finger drumming on a tambourine - it is not quite a existential crisis but...is the riq a tambourine or a drum?
How about the different styles of jingles?
Over time traditional drum designs (like the riq) morpherd into "fusion" models. Our first fusion drum/tambourine was the Hadjira ( AIS Artist Jamey Haddad ), combing elements of a South Indian Kanjira, an Egyptian Riq, and a Brazilian Pandeiro.
Similarly, 0ur Todd Roach Hybrid Tambourine was inspired by the plethora of jingled drums and their native playing styles - riq, pandeiro, tamburello, kanjira - that we heard at the Tamburi Mundi festivals.
BUY AIS Tod Roach Hybrid Tambourine:
Instead of jingles, how about rings?
Explore the sounds of a superlight, small diameter frame embellished with light jump rings that is inspired by a distinctively Persian traditional drum:
Or how about chains of rings, like in a traditional Persian daf. This large dimeter, shallow drum is embellished with chains of lightweight jump rings to to create a characteristic scraping sound as the rings brush the drum head, or the frame can be "dropped" for a unique and dramatic emphasis:
How about heavy weight rings and bells?
N. Scott Robinson's composition "Global Positions" inspired the development of our BUY a Classic Ghaval:
And that model evolved as a lighter weight version for Glen Velez's Handance method -
BUY AIS Glen Velez Handance Ghaval
Some newer designs were adaptations of familiar drums.
Our SlapBack99 ( AIS Artist Matt Kilmer) enhances a Classic Tar with a shaker/scraper sound that's somewhat like the dafs and ghavals, but then again, more modern and jazzy. Not unlike a REMO Ocean Drum, beads are use to embellish the sound, but the SlapBack is intended to offer something very different than the ocean wave sound - the mesh backing gives the drum an open, tar like sound, and the addition of a "ricochet splash zone" facilitates a totally unique and jazzy shaker sound.
BUY AIS Matt Kilmer SlapBack99
How about sounding "ancient"?
Our Tympanum drum is inspired by a 2nd Century BC Roman mosaic depicting an ancient Greek street musician, a Bacchus/Dionysius figure. The design resonates with ancient mysteries and rituals, both sacred and profane. The head is with goatskin, dyed red. The drum is embellished with 5 knotted cords that, when swung rhythmically, strike the head both inside and outside the frame.
OR, How about sounding like YOU?
When you're ready to manifest a drum, just contact us and we will do our best to build your ideal.
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