How do they warm the drums?
Candombe drumming involves playing on traditional drums, which are typically made of wood and animal skin. To get the best sound and performance from the drums, it’s important to warm them up before playing. Here are some ways that candombe drummers warm up their drums:
- Heat lamps: Many candombe drummers use heat lamps to warm their drums before playing. The heat helps to stretch and tighten the drumheads, which can improve the sound quality and make them easier to play.
- Rubbing with a cloth: Some drummers warm up their drums by rubbing them with a cloth. This helps to generate heat and also removes any dust or debris that may have accumulated on the drumhead.
- Tapping the drumhead: Another way to warm up a candombe drum is to tap the drumhead with the hands or with a mallet. This helps to loosen up the drumhead and can also help the drummer get into the right rhythm and mindset before playing.
- Using a heat source: Some drummers warm their drums by using a heat source like a space heater or a hair dryer. This can be a quick and effective way to warm up the drumhead, but it’s important to be careful not to overheat the drum, which can cause damage to the skin or the wood.
Overall, there are several ways that candombe drummers warm up their drums before playing, each of which can help to improve the sound quality and make the drums easier to play. It’s important to find a method that works best for each individual drummer and their specific drums.