Bass
Sound: deep, low, “boom”
Use: heartbeat of the rhythm
How to play it
- Keep the drum angled between your legs
- Use the centre of the head
- Strike with the flat part of the whole hand
- Fingers together, relaxed
- Let your hand bounce off immediately
Tip
Don’t leave your hand on the drum – it kills the sound.
Think touch and release. Lift like you are pulling the sound out of the skin
Tone
Sound: clear, open, ringing
Use: main melodic voice
How to play it
- Position your hand on the rim so your knuckles line up with the rim.
- Strike near the edge of the drum
- Use the fingers and part of the palm
- Keep fingers together and straight
- Hit and lift straight away
Tip
If it sounds dull, you’re too far in. Move closer to the rim.
Slap
Sound: sharp, bright “crack”
Use: accents
How to play it
- Same area as tone (near the edge)
- Fingers slightly looser than tone
- Hand relaxed, fingers slightly apart not stiff
- The sound comes from speed, not force
Tip
Don’t try to hit hard.
The slap should feel light but sound loud.