Problems with my Clay Doumbek, suggestions?

[LarrySeiler]

I'm making a clay doumbek (example- from the fullcircle drums website)

The place I'm getting my heads, cords and so on from is here- http://www.fullcircledrums.com/

A Doumbek is a middle eastern ceramic drum with goat's skin head.

I threw two separate parts, the bowl and the pedestal allowing them to firm up to leather hard. Drying from the top down generally, meant that the two pieces were still wet enough to score on the ends they sat on...thus being possible to score, add slip and join.

They were...and I joined the two parts together-



well...unfortunately, this nice form has dried with structure cracks where the two pieces join...


and closer still-


well...I'm going to have to try again. Using a white mid fire clay with a bit less grog for wheel work.

I want to put out a successful piece so that my senior ceramic students might have a chance to do a similar drum. I have found a supplier for goat skin heads and cords, and so on.

At anyrate, not having made doumbeks before...wondering if anyone here has or knows of someone that has? Looking for suggestions as I attempt to do another. Is making the two separate pieces the way to go? Is this form likely to have been thrown as one piece?

I notice the example I posted is made of red midfire earthenware clay, which will have a bit more grog and perhaps that makes a difference too in drying.

I'm sure the coil method would work ...but will be disappointed if throwing them on the wheel doesn't. Suggestions welcome, and thanks in advance for looking.

Larry

[diane555]

Hiya Larry
I know absolutely nothing about doumbeks so I can't help you out on this one. I just wanted to say that this is fascinating and please share whatever you do find out about them. I'd love to see the process of completeing the piece after you smooth out your current difficulties. There is just something about drums...

Di

[LarrySeiler]

yes Di....the rhythms of life. Drums are very cool.

I've been wanting to make a doumbek ever since pulling off a successful udu drum last year. Hope I will resolve this.

I've invited art teachers from the Getty Art Institute group I'm part of to look in here...and I'm sure the best experience will come out to help me soon between the fine folks there and WC'ers here!

thanks...

Larry

[teresasart]

Larry, this is cool! Glad to hear that someone else here at WC shares an interest in percussion instruments!

I built a couple several years ago, but they were coil built. I knew someone who did them on a wheel, and he used to throw the smaller ones as one piece, but the larger ones were done as two pieces which were joined. I'm not sure if he did anything special beyond the usual stuff which you mentioned when joining the pieces. I know that they were thrown upside down, with the bowl part being on the bottom, and the hole for the opening where the head goes was cut out after the drum was removed from the bat. (I never used a wheel much at all, so I'm not up on that part.)

Though this isn't the question you posted, I'd suggest leaving more of a rounded lip (which goes in a bit) at the top of the drum (where the head will go). This will make it easier to put the head on the drum without damage to the skin; it will also make the drum more comfortable to play.

Let us know how it works out!!!

Teresa