Andrea
The Cajon drum is getting famous in fusion and pa tune. In case you need to own one, you may even build it yourself! Zero to drum will give you simple step-via-step commands on how to build a cajon drum box.
What is Cajon?
A Cajon drum box is a field-formed percussion musical tool that lines its roots to the early enslaved Africans delivered to Peru. The Cajon is performed by way of sitting at the pinnacle floor and keeping the field barely willing. The participant slaps the front head, called the TapaTapa, with his bare arms. The again or edges also can be slapped for added sound results. Additionally, positive items like sticks may be used to play the device for numerous beats.
The device is a six-sided box made from stable timber or plywood. The sides, pinnacle, and bottom surfaces are made from thicker material, even as the TapaTapa and the returned are the product of thin timber sheets. A circular hole in the produced surface allows the air to escape and create an acoustic impact.
Which wood is best for a Cajon?
While picking out wooden for a Cajon drum, you need to have a specific expectation concerning sound output. It might be unique if you settled for fiberglass or plastic; it either sounds extremely good or impartial without lots of flexibility. A number of the popular timber kinds suitable for Cajon drums consist of:
Famous for its balanced output, Maple wood is suitable if you want better tones at the drum. It usually promises vivid sound tones. The gain of balance kicks in while you play the Cajon drum in a wide range of scenes, which it handles well. More technically, wooden maple acts as a beneficial radiator of sounds, with the capability to enlarge distinct tones while you want it. The impact applies even if you use maple on the drum’s front plate. But, you must make the rest of the frame of any other type of hardwood.
If the density is a concern, birch is one of the pleasant woods to build a Cajon. Proper out the gate, it supplies an enormous dynamic sound range, and you would occasionally get excessive tones with deep bass. The bass tones are one specific motive you’d locate birch on some of the good Cajon drums. Perhaps that’s why birch is notably higher priced than different wooden kinds.
Mahogany is a standard hardwood you can use to reap heavy bass and high tones. It sits on the tone spectrum’s hotter facet and nicely suits the Cajon’s frame.
Possibly the least regularly used on the listing, all right works fantastic for Cajon’s, particularly when you need quantity and heft. However, all right wooden demands a further layer of care, as it’s miles brittle. Some of the pleasant Cajon builders could typically cut the all-right in wood blocks in preference to ply layers.
How is a cajon constructed?
The Cajon body has six sides: the front and back, two shorter sides, and two long sides. The front plate, or TapaTapa, is attached to the two shorter sides with screws, while the back plate is only glued on. The two longer sides are left open at the top and bottom.
A hole cut into the back plate allows sound to escape and creates an acoustic effect. The size of the gap varies depending on the desired sound.
The Cajon is usually made from plywood, although some high-end models are made from solid wood. Birch, mahogany, and maple are all popular choices for the body, while the front and back plates are usually made from thinner plywood.
The Cajon is played by sitting at the pinnacle floor and retaining the container among your legs. With their hands, the player then strikes the front head, called the TapaTapa. The back or the edges can also be attacked for different sound effects.
Step by Step to Making Your Own Cajon Drum
Here’s an easy way how to build a cajon.
- Start build a cajon is cutting out the six sides of your Cajon. You can use a jigsaw, Sawzall, or any other saw type. The front and back plates must be crafted from thinner plywood, even as the perimeters may be thicker.
- Cut a hole in the back plate; This will be the sound hole, and its size will determine the sound of your Cajon.
- Assemble the sides of the Cajon with screws or nails. Make sure the front and back plates are flush with the sides.
- Practice glue to the edges of the again plate and connect it to the Cajon.
- Cut a piece of fabric or carpet to fit the bottom of the Cajon; This will help muffle the sound.
- Build a cajon is now complete! Sit on the top surface and start playing. Remember to strike the front head (TapaTapa) with your hands. You can also strike the back or the edges for different sound effects.
Tips for Making Cajons
There are some things to keep in mind while build a Cajon:
- The size of the sound hole will determine the sound of your Cajon. A giant hole will create a higher pitch, while a smaller hole will create a lower pitch.
- The type of wood you use will also affect the sound. Birch and mahogany are famous for the body, while maple is a good choice for the front and back plates.
- Try different woods for the other parts of Cajon to create a unique sound. For example, you could use cherry for the body and walnut for the front and back plates.
- You can also experiment with different fabrics or carpets for the bottom of the Cajon; This will affect the sound and the way the drum feels when you play it.
Final Thought
The cajon is a percussion instrument that has exploded in popularity in recent years. It’s easy to make your own cajon, and even easier to personalize it to get the perfect sound for your style of music. So what are you waiting for? Get started on build a cajon today!
