How the ashiko makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the ashiko belongs to the struck drums: a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
More broadly it is one of the membranophones (drums), where sound comes from a vibrating stretched membrane.
Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.
From Wikipedia
The ashiko is a drum, shaped like a tapered cylinder or truncated cone with the head on the wide end, and the narrow end open. It is made of hardwood and generally has a calfskin hide. Nowadays, goatskin is sometimes used, in imitation of the high sound of the popular djembe drum. It is played with the hands, and tuned by ropes. Ashiko drums – or variants thereof – are traditionally found in West Africa, as well as part of the Americas.
Other struck drums
Frequently asked questions
What does an ashiko sound like?
As one of the struck drums, its sound comes from the way a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
What type of instrument is the ashiko?
It is classified as struck drums (Hornbostel–Sachs 211.251.1).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q2655327 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Ashiko – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Freddythehat at English Wikipedia – Public domain