Understanding Membranophones. A Guide to the Sachs-Hornbostel Classification
Membranophones are musical instruments that produce sound by means of a vibrating stretched membrane or skin. The membrane is usually made of animal hide or synthetic material and is stretched over a resonating chamber, which amplifies the sound. When the membrane is struck with a hand, mallet, or stick, it vibrates and produces a sound.
There are several types of membranophones, including kettle drums, tubular drums, friction drums, mirlitons, and frame drums. Kettle drums are rounded at the bottom and may be tunable or non-tunable. The vibrating membrane is either laced, nailed, or glued to the body, and the player uses his or her hands, a beater, or both to strike it. Tubular drums come in various shapes, such as barrel, cylindrical, conical, goblet, hourglass, and shallow. Like the kettle drums, tubular drums may be tunable or non-tunable and may be played by using both hands or a striker. Friction drums, on the other hand, vibrate when there is friction across the membrane, and the player uses a cord or stick to create sound.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most common types of membranophones.
The snare drum is a small, shallow drum with a snare (a string or wires stretched across the bottom of the drum). When the drum is struck, the snare produces a distinctive buzzing sound, giving the snare drum its characteristic sound. The snare drum is used in many musical genres, from orchestral music to rock and roll.
The bass drum, on the other hand, is a large, deep drum that produces a deep, booming sound. It is often used in orchestral music to provide a solid foundation for other instruments. In rock music, the bass drum is used to create a driving rhythm that underpins the rest of the music.
The tambourine is a type of membranophone that consists of a small drumhead and a circular frame with jingles or metal disks attached to it. The tambourine is played by shaking or hitting it with the hand, and it is commonly used in folk music and pop music. There are also tambourines without a membrane, the so-called headless tambourines. Such tambourines can be classified as noise instruments such as rattles, timpani, maracas, etc.
The conga drum is a tall, narrow drum that produces a deep, resonant sound. It is typically played with the hands and is commonly used in Latin American music, particularly in salsa and other dance styles.
The tabla is a pair of small, hand-held drums that are used in classical Indian music. The drums are made of wood and have a membrane made of goat or cow skin. They are played with the hands, and the player can produce a variety of tones and rhythms by striking different parts of the drumhead.
Mirlitons are unique membranophones in that the membranes produce sound with the vibration of a player's voice or instrument. They are non-tunable, and a good example of this type is a kazoo. Frame drums have a membrane or skin stretched over a frame and include instruments such as tambourines, pot drums, and ground drums.
Overall, membranophones have a wide range of shapes, sizes, and sounds and can be found in musical traditions all over the world.
Membranophones, such as this marching drum, are the perfect accompaniment for any ensemble, both for beginners and experienced musicians.
