Drum Physics, why drums sound the way they sound

Drum Physics

1 MASS

2 BEARING EDGES

3 WRAPS / LAQUERS, COATINGS

4 HEADS

5 WOOD OR METAL – yes, it matters, depending on application, it may matter more or less.

SONOR TAMA – beech

Japanese drums — birch

rosewood, bubinga, cherry, walnut, oak — more exotics

Acrolyte

Brass

Steel

Aluminum

Phosphor bronze

Maple

Wood tonal character and physics affect volume, projection.  Timbre.  Sustain.  Playability; touch feel.  Hardness, density, elasticity/deformation, “ring”.

“Hardwoods” generally are flowering trees.  “Softwoods” reproduce via seeds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-cwTdtGB0E

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