Basler drum

Basler drum is a two- coat drum. The percussion instrument takes its name from the use of the Basel Customs (eg Basler Fasnacht ). The drum player called drummers, with several drummers usually form a group drummers for use in a marching band.

Drums of the same type are used as Swiss drum or ordinance 82 in the whole of Switzerland in drummers and pipers clubs as well as in Swiss military music.

Method of construction

Until the late 18th century drums were primarily made of wood, but since the early 18th century brass frames are detected in Prussia. In the 19th century, copper, tin and nickel silver were used. Today, the frame is usually made ​​of chromed brass. In addition, but one also sees Sides unverchromtem brass, aluminum ( weight advantage ), and recently even carbon fiber. For some time wooden drums are again increasingly used, not only because of the look, but also because of their much lower weight. In addition, also the drier sound of the wooden drum by many drummers will be perceived as more pleasant.

The tires of the metal drums are mostly black and white ( oblique) striped because the heraldic colors of Basel Black and white are. ( In other cantons correspondingly different colors are used, the Swiss army used red and white tires. Colors of guilds or family coat of arms are now used only rarely. ) The tires on wooden drums are usually left natural color. While the color scheme formerly strictly obeyed the Heraldry and only for wooden drums an exception was tolerated is allowed today, anything goes. But Chrome frames with black and white tires and black or white billets continue to dominate the picture.

About the two open ends of the frame ( in Basel and "Boiler " or " bucket " ) are stretched two skins. These are made of plastic or calfskin parchment, with calf skins are enjoyable to play on due to their soft rear suspension. However, natural skins can be used only in dry weather, otherwise they will be lax. One -covered with calf skin drum is thus made in practice requires the possession of a second drum with plastic coat.

The eardrums are ( in the second case today with a carbon core to minimize weather-related voltage fluctuations ) held together by the rope drum, which is made of plastic, or hemp and passing through holes of the two tires, under tension and tuned sound. In earlier times the rope was simply wrapped around the tires or attached by means of an iron hook on it. To tension the ropes, tires are pressed against each other in a buck. Then the rope tightened around, again and again until all sections are excited about the same. Before the drum re- ' relaxed ', the protruding end of the cable that is drawn through a loop at the beginning, turned into a so-called ' screw '. The excess rope is attached to the lower tire.

The leading on the outside on the bottom head ( resonant head or strings fur ) eight drum strings ( snares ) from intestinal or plastic, usually in combination with metal strings, drum owes the rattling sound. The top coat ( batter ) is damped by a damper to avoid a Reverberation ( "Sing " ) of the drum.

The diameter of a Basler drum is measured on the outside of the frame and is usually 40 or 41cm, sometimes 42 or even 43cm. A larger diameter leads to a fuller sound, the drum makes but, especially when it is covered with natural skins, maintenance- intensive. The height of the frame usually corresponds to the diameter.

History

The oldest drum of this type dates from 1571. She is standing Basel Music Museum. The Swiss Customs and church festivals such as Carnival, the guild life and public events with dancing, games and entertainment were often accompanied by drum sounds.

Until the 19th century reported marching drums in Europe and in the colonies in general to this type. Accordingly, such drums are also, for example, to see again and again in Wild West films set in the time of the American Civil War. Even with performances by groups that have the prescribed music of that era, such drums are generally used. The evolution of the marching drum then went in the direction that around since the beginning of the 19th century the ropes replaced by a clamping mechanism with metal screws and the frame was getting shorter. Basler drum stayed with the old design.

Play

The drum is always diagonally in front of the spool. As the holder of the drum on the left side ( Bandalier; This wide leather belt that is worn over the shoulder ), it thus runs from top left to bottom right. (From the point of view of the swift seen )

To play the drum, hold the two drummers (wooden) Schlegel in his hands. On the right hand of the flail is completely enclosed by the hand and kept angled ( so that the hand is with the forearm in a line ). On the left hand of the flail is placed on the ring finger and held with the index, middle finger and thumb.