Membranophones: Talking Drums and Tabla

The Talking Drum (nickname for the kalengo)

This picture shows a group of envoys from Msiri (King of the Yeke Kingdom, located in current day Tanzania.) The drummers are actually spies for Msiri, and used the drums to convey secret messages by using specific drum tones or rhythms, similar to Morse code. The talking drum is the only drum that can “sing”. As you squeeze and release the side of the drum, the cords pull the skin on top of the drum tighter, raising the pitch of the drum’s tone.

 

The talking drum is different from other non-Western drums in that you play it with a stick or mallet.  You can see how the cords connect one drum head to the other.  The talking drum has a very wide range between high and low pitches. 

Listen to the talking drums

 

 

Tabla

The body of a tabla differs from the conga, bongo, and talking drums due to its metal body. Skins are stretched tightly on one side of the drum, which can be played with the hands. The tabla originates in India, and the name itself is Arabic for “drum”!

Listen to a sample of the tabla:

 

Photo(s) Attribution
Description: Msiri Spies, talking drum, tabla
Source: wikimedia, wikimedia, thinkstock

Audio Attribution
Description:LTalking Drums, Tabla mixed beats
Source: Archive.org - TablaRadio.com, Freesound - Sandyrb