42" Buffalo
Thunder Drum
I
call these large ones "Buffalo Thunder". When played softly,
they make a sound reminicent of distant thunder.
It was reported by the Lewis and Clark expedition that
the passage of an indigenous bison herd made sound
much like the sound of thunder. And could
take up to three days.
Oftentimes, when I am playing these drums, I imagine the
Spirit Bison Herd coming from the clouds in the
sky.

Leopold Vista
overlooking the Gila Wilderness of Southwest New Mexico.
Buffalo Thunder requires about
thirty hours labor spread out over about a two week time span
including preparation of the hides. I purchase the hides
from packing firm here in Colorado. I process the hides
myself. That is why they have more hair left on them.
The frames are constructed of sections of redwood cut and glued
together and then sanded. I find the redwood to be light
weight and durable. I use one hide each on the top and the
bottom. The drum heads being taken from the center of the
hide. The hide from bison is much different than that of
cattle. Where cattle are fairly uniform in thickness across
the back, bison have areas of differing thickness. This
allows the drum to have different tones when
played.
32" An
average price being around $800.00
From the belly and the smaller hides, I build the Shaman's
Drum with the double sided drum typically coming from the rump of
the bison hide. It is small to fit the lap. And is
durable and resistant to climate change. Such as in the
Sweatlodge Purification Ceremony. The single sided drums work
well for the Shamanic Drumming Journey. These I create
with thirteen sections of cedar wood glued together and
sanded. Thirteen is in honor of the Grandmothers.The back is
then tied with seven laces to honor the directions. I like
thirteen to seventeen inch diameter.

Price range for
these drums is $70.00 to $200.00. Depending on size,and
sound.

Drying the hides. The hide tightens as it dries.
This is why some drum frames warp and break.

"My
back yard."
This is a typical
inventory of drums on hand.
These smaller ones
are 13" to 17" in diameter.
With the Thunder
Drums being from 32" up 44" in diameter.
No two drums are
the same.
Each has
individual characteristics.
I do my best
to match a drum to the person it is going to.
And the climate in
which they live.
Please feel free to
contact me with any details to best fulfill your needs.
Wholesale orders
are welcome.
