Nepalese Drum on a Stick

Nepalese Drum on a Stick lesson plan

Enjoy the lively rhythm of a handmade percussion instrument! This one is designed to look and play like the damaru drum of Nepal.

  • 1.

    Many drums are struck only on their tops with hands or sticks. The damaru of Nepal is played on both sides. Find Nepal on a map. What countries surround it? Research information about the damaru. With what materials is it traditionally made? When and how is it played?

  • 2.

    To make your own replica of a damaru from Nepal, find a small recycled plastic container with a tight lid, such as a margarine tub. Remove the lid. <B>Ask an adult</B> to poke a small hole in both the center of the lid and the center of the bottom of the container.

  • 3.

    Cut yarn that is about 3 times as long as the depth of your drum. Push yarn through the holes. Tie a knot on the yarn end on the bottom of the drum.

  • 4.

    Tie a fairly large bead to the end of the string that is dangling from the lid. (Make sure the string isn't too long, or it will get tangled. To play your drum, the bead will hit the container when it is twisted.)

  • 5.

    <B>Ask an adult</B> to cut a hole in one side of your drum, and in the side directly opposite the first hole.

  • 6.

    Push a short, fairly thick dowel stick, a stick fallen from a tree, or a recycled wooden spoon into the holes. Wrap yarn around the outside edges where the stick enters and exits the drum. Hold the yarn in place with Crayola® School Glue. Glue the lid to

  • 7.

    Decorate your drum with Crayola Gel Markers. Enjoy playing music with your classmates.

Benefits

  • Students locate Nepal and surrounding countries on a map.
  • Children research information about the construction and use of the Nepalese damaru drum.
  • Children create an original drum that is similar to the damaru of Nepal.

Adaptations

  • Research traditional patterns in the artwork of Nepal, and include them in your drum's decoration.
  • Create several different sizes of damaru drums, leaving some without sticks. Compare the sounds these various drums make.
  • Find recordings of the damaru being played. Try to duplicate the rhythms and tones.
  • Research the drums played in countries surrounding Nepal. Compare the damaru to those drums.