Pronounced (" doon-doon "), and sometimes referred to as a talking
drum, is a wooden hourglass-shaped, two-headed drum covered with goatskin, whose
twin heads are laced together by thongs of gut or leather. This instrument is
cradled under one arm while the other hand strikes one side of the drum with a
curved wooden stick. By manipulating tension on these thongs, the player can alter
the pitch of the tone he/she is making, thus enabling the dundun to "talk" or
produce the tones that sound like words. A master drummer can maintain a regular
monologue on a talking drum, saying hi to different people, cracking jokes, and
telling stories.
The WORLD BEATS video features live,
costumed performances of ancient, ethnic, percussive traditions. Aaron Plunkett
puts it all together in this fascinating 33 minute program. SEE
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