Udu Drums

Jonathan Vencore presents his sculptural ceramic drums based on the Udu which is an African drum originating from Nigeria.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ceramics
• drums
• udu
• sculpture
• art

[jonnda]

I find that cone 10 kills the sound, but around bisque fireing tmep it sounds okay. what cone did you use?

[JonathanVencore]

Very interesting. These have been taken up to around 1280c through reduction gas firing. General stoneware temperature would be cone 8 at 1263c and below cone 11 at 1315c. Its unlikely any of the firings made it to cone 11. I found it hard marrying practical function with visual and sculptural aesthetic. There is something much more appealing about stoneware to earthenware with the way the material meld together in the firing.

[JonathanVencore]

I have been content with the fact they do make a sound, my musician friends can get a much better sound out of them then I can. I was always discouraged from instruments when I was younger and this type of thing has provided and opportunity for me to reclaim some of what I have missed out on.

[JonathanVencore]

This year I have decide to put aesthetics aside and focus on more practical functions, I think slip cast will improve sound quality and reduce weight. And as you say earthen ware would produce better sound so this may be an opportunity for single firing and Ill need to develop a surface slip thats easy to clean.

[zimmelzumm]

great stuff. I would make some bigger udus if i were you. For the basses and the richer midrange. Anyways, congratulations for your drums.