by Nick Somoski

Created on: January 05, 2011   Last Updated: January 06, 2011

Percussion is one of the least-known-about instrument groups, because it has been stereotyped to be related directly and solely to drum kits. However, drum kits are naturally too expensive, not to mention cumbersome, heavy, and ultimately inconvenient. There are many different alternatives to a drum kit for any percussionist.

Some of the most used alternatives to a drum kit are those of any African or South American drums.

Africa has influence the percussion world with many of its own rhythmic creations. The percussion instruments native to Africa all have their own characteristics and defining qualities. The Ghanaian uduh, which is basically a water jug, was adapted for use in music. This instrument gives more of a warm rounded thick sound than usual percussion instruments. Another typical instrument from Africa is the African talking drum. This drum has strings stretched across the outside of a narrow waisted body. With a curved stick, the head of the drum is struck while the tone and pitch are altered by squeezing the strings that surround the body.

One of the more popular African drums that is preferred by most acoustic drummers for performance playing is that of the djembe. A djembe is a West African hand drum designed for usage in a drum circle. Professional percussionist who do choose to use the djembe have a tendency to use authentic traditional African drums due to their superior materials. The drum is constructed of a tough African goat skin stretched and dried for the head. The body of the African djembe also uses hardwood instead of plastic or softwood, making the drum project a much better quality sound.

Djembes can be played to emit a range of different sounds, called the bass, tone, and slap. The lowest sound, the bass, is created by holding the fingers together while playing. The tone is played much the same, to produce a round and full sound. Last, the slap makes a sharp high tone, caused by relaxing the fingers while playing. Many of the African drums can be played similarly as they don't always call for sticks, unlike that of a modern drum kit.

Many different alternatives have been produced from the Latin, South American cultures. Brazil has been a great influence on many different percussion instruments in its own self. One such instrument is the cuica, or a friction drum. Inside the skin of the drum, a reed is moistened by the drummer, who then puts pressure on the skin. This action creates a moaning sound, which is unique than most other drums. The shekere is another well-known Brazilian instrument. Consisting of a gourd covered with beads, this instrument produces a rattling sound when shaken in rhythm.

Just about anything could be used as an alternative to a drum kit for any accustic drummer. As long as there is an object with at least a semi-hard surface, a drummer can produce any rhythmical sounds off of it. Creative drummers will use anything and everything. After all, it's the brain, rather than the body, that creates the music.

Learn more about this author, Nick Somoski.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.