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Having read on this list various opinions about Reinforced Mylar
(RM) I decided to try it and head my djembe with this material, otherwise used
for windsurfing sails.
First problem was how to wrap it around the bottom ring. I had to cut the
sheet in a sun shape and wrap separate "rays". I cut as many "rays" as
many loops I have on the top ring, so that each tangle on the top ring presses one ray
against the bottom ring. I bent the rays into the ring and held them together with sticker
tape.
Second problem: RM is not as ductile as wet skin is, so
when I finished tuning, the top ring was in some places still above the shell edge.
Luckily, on my favourite side of the drum it is low enough to play. Next time I will try
to first put the sun-cut sheet on the drum, then bend the rays down and hold them around
the shell with a bootlace, then put the bottom ring at desired depth down from the shell
edge, then wrap the rays up around the ring and hold them with another bootlace, then go
barefoot :-) and bring the top ring, put it on the bottom ring and proceed as usually.
Now to the most important thing: what does it sound like?
Well, I'm not too pleased with the sound. The tone can hardly be heard. I mean the short
tone, the TUP! sound. Instead I get some orchestra of long resonating overtones. However,
bass and slap are great. Do you know any rhythms with basses and slaps only, no tones?
;-). I guess the sail was too thin - really as thin as paper.
There's a phenomenon I've noticed before but with the RM head it is
stronger than ever. Try it yourself: play tones with one hand, and slowly bring the other
hand very close to the skin (about 3 milimeters), above the centre of it. As your hand
approaches the skin, you will hear overtones (if any) disappearing and the tone getting
more exposed. Additionally, you will hear the tone pitch going slightly down. Do master
drummers use this effect?
Drum till they dance, and on.
DJ Embe and the Vegetarian Researchers (DJ's multiple alter egos)
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