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Plans for Building a Steel Drum

Steel pans or drums are more than just some dents in a can. Crafting professional steel drums calls for advanced skills, taking years of training to hone. For those less crafty, there is another steel drum that anyone can create called a "dudup" -- named after the particular sound it makes when struck. The dudup is a two-note drum, simple enough for children to construct and intriguing enough to hold an adult's attention. A dudup sounds good in any key.

Things You'll Need

  • Large coffee can, olive oil can or 25-gallon steel barrel
  • Small hammer or ball-peen hammer
  • 6 inches of a 1/2-inch dowel
  • Rubber bands
  • Rubber bouncing ball
  • 8 inches of a 1/2-inch wooden dowel
  • Epoxy glue
  • Scissors or knife
  • Chalk or pen
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Instructions

  1. Dudup Sticks

    • 1

      Make dudup sticks. For children or a small stick, take 6 inches of a 1/2-inch dowel and wrap rubber bands at both ends.

    • 2

      Cut a rubber ball in half and glue one half to an 8-inch wooden dowel for an adult or larger dudup stick.

    • 3

      Make a hole through the middle of the rubber ball and add more glue at the hole to better secure the ball.

    Sound the Drum

    • 4

      Rest the can or barrel on a flat surface that is firm and solid.

    • 5

      Draw a line slightly off center across the top of the can or barrel. The line should divide the round area of the can into two slightly different sizes.

    • 6

      Pound a hammer up and down the drawn line, making a valley along the line. The valley stretches the two areas, making them tight and resonant.

    • 7

      Test the drum periodically to make sure each side is producing a different sound. As the tension increases the different sounds will become more apparent.

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