10 Best Udu Drum Reviews 2022 (Best Udu Drum Brands)

Coming from the African word for “pottery”, the udu drum is indeed made out of clay, resembling a regular pot in very many ways. The only difference is the side hole that makes it unsuitable for holding any type of content, as it was made for the producing of sounds and playing music.

This particular manufacturer strives to offer authentic Africa udus to its clients, so you can be sure that the instrument is made out of clay, as the tradition is requesting. In order to play the drum, all you have to do is to place it on your lap and hit it with your fingers or palms.

Depending on how you hit it and where you hit it, the drum will produce a variety of sounds. The best part about getting this drum is the fact that you can mount small microphones in each of the drum’s internal chambers, for a better caption for the sounds it makes.

This is extremely useful in the case of a public performance, as it allows every member of your audience to clearly hear the intriguing but pleasant sounds it makes. It is definitely an instrument you need to consider if you want to bring a distinct note to the music you make.

If most of the drums you’ve seen are round, this one is flat. And there is a reason its shape is this way. This udu drum was made to produce low pitched sounds only. If you will have the chance to play it, you will be surprised by the fact that it can produce sounds similar to the ones made by cows’ bells.

So, in this case, it really matters how you plan to use your udu drum. Due to its shape and sounds, its manufacturer recommends this type of udu drum from those that are accustomed to played bongo or conga, as the drum’s sounds may be of great use in this case.

The drum is made out of clay, just like the other kinds of udu drums, the only difference being its body and elongated neck, necessary in producing bright and loud sounds. Also, because of its rather flat shape, it is easier to hold this drum on the lap when performing.

Your hands will still be the ones that will make the drum sing, so don’t hesitate to experiment with it. If exotic instruments intrigue you, then most certainly you will find this drum more than interesting.

How about an udu drum with a modern design? While this instrument is still made out of clay, as it should be, the manufacturer decided to bring its look in our modern days. So, don’t be fooled by its appearance, which is rather far from its traditional cousin, as this is a great udu drum to have and play.

Those that tried it said that its quality is above the average one you can find in most udu drums available on the market at the moment. Is this true? Well, again, it depends on personal preference and how you feel the instrument when playing it. But, if you consider this one interesting, then it is definitely worth giving it a try.

The shape of the drum was specially created to give it a one-of-a-kind pitch and strong sounds. So, there are high chances that it will be an instrument that will impress you and your audience. Also, in spite of its size, the bass this udu drum has is quite hard to miss. If you want to bring the traditional African music making in our contemporary age, then this instrument will definitely help you do so.

Another great looking and impressive udu drum provided by Schlagwerk. The price tag can be scary for a beginner, but someone who knows this kind of instruments can clearly see the majestic nature of this particular drum.

The quality of this drum is outstanding, as the manufacturing company respects the shape and traditional material of the udu drum, but also makes sure that it follows modern standards at the same time. This is easily visible in the way the drum is made.

Only top-notch materials are used for the making of this product. The side hole will provide soft bass sounds while the thin layer of skin on one end will give you the chance to produce clear, high-pitched sounds. So, we can say that you can play an entire symphony with this udu drum, due to its versatility.

If you are attracted by the exotic nature of the udu drum but you also like something that looks contemporary and delivers high quality, then you need to take this option into account. For many, the price is not that high considering the amazing sounds this drum produces. Just do bear in mind that it is a fragile instrument, so handle it with care.

This is an incredible udu drum that is destined for those with a bit of experience in this field, as it peculiar shape is not that easy to handle. This particular model was developed by two amazing men, with extensive experience when it comes to percussion instruments.

We are talking about Frank Giorgini and Jamey Haddad, a professional percussionist. Thus, this model bears a name that is a mix of its creators’ names, Giorgini and Haddad, resulting Hadgini. As you can notice, this udu drum has a round chamber and a triangular chamber, each of them being capable of producing a different set of sounds.

Besides, each chamber presents various textures, which are also meant to help you deliver a complete and complex performance with one single instrument. Considering that this udu drum is the result of two men’s experience and findings in time, there are high chances that you will be satisfied by how this drum behaves under your hands.

Also, to get the most of what this drum has to offer, it would be ideal if you can install some internal mics inside the drum, as they give you the possibility of hearing and recording the sounds in their true splendor.

For those of you that are familiar with percussion instruments, especially with those that utilize your hands to produce sounds, then this particular instrument may interest you. This is an udu drum that has two different chambers, designed to provide a broad range of sounds without the need to use several drums during a performance.

This is possible due to the fact that the rounder chamber produces round bass sounds while the flat upper chamber will produce sharper sounds. So, with one single drum, you will be able to deliver great music with minimum effort.

In case you are looking to invest in an instrument that can answer to your preferences and help you produce amazing music, then this udu drum may have what it takes.

It will attract attention not just with its shape, but also with its unique sounds. So, whether you are looking to integrate the udu drum sounds in your music, for a more exotic performance, or you want to enjoy these sounds as they are, pure and simple, just like Africans do, you will manage to do exactly what you want. In other words, check this drum out and see if it has all the specifications you are looking to find in an udu drum.

You never played an udu drum before and you are also a beginner when it comes to percussion instruments? Then this particular model of udu drum is just right to open the door toward new experiences.

While it is true that there are other models of udu drums, more complex, if you are a beginner it is recommended to start with a simple model, until you get familiar with the instrument and develop the necessary playing skills.

Besides this, the shape of this udu drum will also help you, as due to the fact that it is formed just like a tear, it is more comfortable to hold in the lap while using your hands to play at it.

Considering the way you need to hold it and the fact that you need to play the udu drum with two hands, it is easy to understand why you need to be able to hold it right and not risk dropping it.

You won’t have a hand available to secure it in place, so an udu drum with a balanced shape will make things easier for you. You will love the warm, almost liquidy, sounds this drum will produce.

This is another incredible udu drum, with various chambers that will give you the chance to enjoy a complex performance. As you can tell by its shape, the instrument will be capable of producing a wide range of sounds depending on where you will hit it. So, feel free to experiment with this udu drum, enjoying its versatility, passing from full and rich sounds to extreme and sharp sounds with one single instrument.

The round, melon-shaped lower chamber, which is also the base of the drum, will provide bass tones, which are round and mellow. The upper chamber, with a shape that is slightly flatter, is capable of offering sharp and bright sounds.

In case you are familiar with the sounds made by tabla, the Indian instrument, then it is worth knowing that the upper chamber of this udu drum will come up with similar sounds. So, if you decide to opt for this drum, you will actually get two different drums in one, considering the different chambers this instrument has.

It is more complex than regular udu drums, so if you are just starting out to play such instruments, it may take a while until you get the hang of it.

When it comes to udu drums, one thing is for sure, and that is the fact that they must be made out of clay. The material from which they are made gives them not just the unique appearance, but also the unmistakable sounds it is so appreciated for. So, this udu drum is made, of course, out of clay. But, it also has a special particularity that isn’t seen in all udu drums.

Shaped as a bottle, besides the side hole that allows the sounds to escape from the drum, it also has an oben covered by goatskin. This oben must be always placed upwards, as it is also utilized in playing the instrument. Thus, when playing this drum, you can obtain a wider range of sounds than when playing an udu drum that does not feature a goatskin oben.

But, in the end, it all depends on your expectations from this instrument, your skills when it comes to playing an udu drum, and how you plan on using it. Nevertheless, it is an incredible instrument to have around. It is worth knowing that by simply covering the hole, completely or partially, you can easily moderate the sounds it can produce.

The whole idea behind getting an udu drum is to have one that is made in an authentic manner, just as African tribes are making them for so long already. So, if you want a real clay drum that is made according to the African traditions, then this one will certainly suit your needs.

It is up to you if you decide to play it with your palms or fingers, according to the tune you want to produce. Also, the surface of this udu drum has sections with a special texture, which allows you to rub your fingers on them and produce a new kind of sound.

Besides the traditional size, the brand offers several other sizes as well, each of them having a particular tonality. This is very useful when looking to perform a complex tune, as the udu drum is capable of producing a wide range of sounds depending on how large or small its body is.

If you never played such an instrument before, you will find the drum’s tear-like shape be extremely comfortable to hold while performing at the instrument. So, don’t hesitate to enter the world of the fascinating African culture with this amazing drum.