Acoustic Rim Drums by Paula Allegrini

Artist & instrument maker, Paula Allegrini,  lives in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana.  Each stock of wood is chosen according to its graining and acoustic value to form the rim and stretching support for the drum.  Paula uses both deer and elk hides which she purchases from local hunters.  After stretching the hides, she applies layers of texture onto the drums, a process sometimes taking several weeks to dry.  Then, she colors her drums using stain that she has developed from various tree extracts.  Not only are these rim drums beautiful in tone, but they are individual works of visual art as well.

Care & Handling notes from the artist:
     "Moondance Acoustic drums should be treated as a fine musical instrument.  Following these few simple instructions will insure the longevity of your drum.
     All rawhide drums fluctuate in tone with changes in the climate.  Hot and dry weather will cause the drum to tighten and tone to rise.  It is absolutely important that you do not let the drum be exposed to extreme heat and dry humidity for long unattended periods of time.  This can damage the drum.  Cool moist weather will lower the tone of your drum.  In fact, in extreme wet weather, the drum may go flat or even wrinkle.  Do not be alarmed if this happens.  This is not unusual and can be easily remedied.
     *Keep the drum out of direct sunlight or away from extreme heat sources unless you are attempting to raise the tone or dry it out.  If the tone is too high or the drum head too tight, place it in a cool spot or wipe the head with a damp cloth or sponge.  A mister works well also.  If you take the drum into a very hot climate (eg. The desert or in a hot car for long periods of time) put a moistened cloth or sponge with the drum and place it in a case or cover.  If you intend to hang your drum on the wall, place it in a cool spot.  Be sure not to hang it over a heat vent, in the direct hot sunlight or near a wood stove.
     *If your drum goes flat, place it in the sunlight or close to a heat source.  It only takes a short while to tune the drum so don't leave it for long.  Check it often and do not let the rawhide get very hot.  Under no circumstances should you use a hot hair dryer to tone your drum.  This will dry out the natural oils and shorten the life span of the rawhide considerably."                                                - Paula Allegrini -