Your drum is a living being, so you will want to honor its spirit with love and respect.  It is important to work “with” rather than “on” your drum and it will teach you much!

Store it wrapped, face up, or hanging on a wall in a warm, dry place.  Keep it from extremes in temperature like direct sunlight, and away from gas or oil heat sources which can dry the skin and possibly split the head.  Never get the drum too close to a fire or radiator.  Never leave it in a hot car. If you are by a fire, you can hold the drum over the fire far enough up that the flames do not get near the drum. Hold the drum with the laces facing the fire, never the drum head. Hold it there then remove and fan the drum by moving it quickly through the cool air. Take your time doing this and use care.

The natural law of skin drums is water expands and heat constricts.  In a dry, desert climate, you can spray water on the drum or place a slightly damp cloth or paper towel on the drumhead before you wrap it in a towel or drum case.  When it is hot, cool it slowly.  You can bring the tone down (loosen) by spraying water on the drumhead, up (tighten) by using the heat from a hair dryer about 12” from the drumhead. I also have found that placing the drum in a hot car for 10 mins will take the excess moisture out of the head. Use care not to leave in the car for an extended period of time.

When it is damp or humid you can protect the tone by storing your drum in wool, cotton, or one of our custom drum bags.  When it is cold, warm it gradually.

Be patient if you need to restore your drum’s tone before playing.  It takes time to adjust the tone with water or heat.

You can clean your drum by rubbing it gently with a slightly damp cloth.  You can keep the drum skin conditioned and from drying out by using Shea butter or a natural oil or saddle soap on the head and lacing.

Protect your drum head by keeping it face up, never setting anything on it.  If you would like to make a painted design more permanent, you can spray the head with an artist’s matte fixative and use craft or acrylic paints. When you are finished, use a clear glaze to protect the artwork. Only apply thin coats of paint.

When traveling with your drum, it is good to sit it in the car so that there is nothing on it and it is in a place it will not get thrown around. I like to place a blanket over the drum to ensure it will not accidentally move during our journey. 

Please follow these simple instructions to make sure your drum stays safe and sound.
NEVER leave your drum in a hot car or an extremely cold car.
In the winter you can carry water and spray your drum or put a damp washcloth inside your drum if the drum gets too tight.
Remember the Natural Law of Skin (and Life):  Heat constricts, water expands – when the drum gets too tight it will split or the rim will collapse or warp.  When the drum is too damp, the skin will loosen and go flat.  Use heat to tighten and water to loosen the drum head.
Store your drum in a drum case when not in use.
NEVER put your drum in direct sunlight.
I’ve always been taught not to put oil on a drum but a very light coat of Shea Butter or other leather conditioners will keep it from drying out and protect it from cracking or splitting over time. Do this by putting a small amount of shea butter in your hands, rubbing them together then rub your drum. You never want to pour oil on your drum, it could dull the tone so use sparingly. You only want to do this once a year. The hide is very strong and if kept in a neutral environment will last for many years.  
TREAT YOUR DRUM AS YOU WOULD A CHILD OR ANIMAL – WITH RESPECT AND CARE

Let me know if you have any questions and I hope you enjoy the connection with your drum.

The lacing of your drum honors the Four Directional Path

There are many different beliefs and aspects of the Medicine Wheel, this is a reference of what I connect with. You may connect with it in another way, be open to what speaks to you. 

North

The place of our ancestors

This is the direction of earth and the buffalo walks here

This is the direction of winter, the elder and wisdom

Held at hearts center

East

This is the place of new beginnings

This direction is the element of air and the hawk flies in the direction

This is the direction where we celebrate spring, the child-like ways within us

South

This is the place where the warmth comes from

The directions of the element of fire, we honor the dragon and the wolf spirit

The place of our inner fire, our passion, and the heat of summertime

Held at your sacral

West

The direction of inner knowing, the place of inner work

This is where we connect to the element of water and the intelligence of dolphin

This is the direction of fall, where we connect to the adult

The drum is a circle, when we gather in a circle there is none that stands above another, we are all one. The circle is never ending as is the love from the universe. It represents the womb of Mother Earth. We never touch our drum with an angry heart but if you ever have hurts or pains, your drum will be there for you. Always approach your drum with love and respect. Honor the spirit of the animal hide that has found you, it is not an accident that this animal comes to you on your path at this time. Celebrate that connection and it will only deepen. Much love to you on your walking path. Aho~