Wolf Tunable Goatskin Shaman Frame Drum 40cm

A 40 cm handcrafted frame drum with a hand-carved wolf head handle, made from acacia wood and goatskin in Indonesia. The drum is tunable via a hand-pump system, allowing you to adjust the skin tension and pitch. Comes with a padded beater.

What This Drum Offers

• A deep, resonant tone produced by goatskin stretched over a 40 cm acacia wood frame — large enough to produce a full, room-filling sound.
• The hand-pump tuning system lets you tighten or loosen the drumhead to adjust the pitch and response. This is practical in changing humidity and temperature conditions.
• The reverse features a hand-carved wolf head that serves as both the handle and a sculptural element — making this a display piece as well as an instrument.
• Weighs approximately 0.811 kg — light enough to hold in one hand while playing, as is traditional for frame drums.
• Comes with a padded beater designed to draw the best tone from the goatskin head.

Acacia Wood, Goatskin, Hand-Carved

The frame is made from acacia wood — a hardwood valued for its strength and resonance. The drumhead is natural goatskin, which produces a warm, organic tone distinct from synthetic drum heads. The wolf head handle on the reverse is carved by hand from the same wood, then finished with rubber grips for comfortable holding. Dimensions: approximately 40.5 x 40.5 x 6 cm. Weight: approximately 0.811 kg. Handmade in Indonesia.

Playing and Tuning

Hold the drum by the carved handle with your non-dominant hand, and strike the goatskin head with the included beater using your dominant hand. Experiment with striking closer to the centre (deeper tone) versus the edge (higher, sharper tone). To tune, use the hand-pump mechanism on the back of the frame to adjust the skin tension — tighter skin produces a higher pitch, looser skin a lower, more resonant tone. Goatskin responds to humidity, so you may need to retune when moving between environments.

The Wolf in Tradition

The wolf is a symbol of intuition, guardianship, and social bonds in many indigenous and folk traditions across the Northern Hemisphere. It appears in the mythology of Native American, European, and Asian cultures. Frame drums themselves have ancient roots — they appear in archaeological records from Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and indigenous cultures worldwide. In contemporary practice, frame drums with animal spirit motifs are used in drumming circles, sound healing sessions, meditation, and shamanic-inspired practices.

A Gift with Presence

The combination of a playable instrument, a hand-carved sculpture, and symbolic meaning makes this drum a distinctive gift for musicians, practitioners, or anyone who appreciates handmade craft.

Common Questions

Do I need drumming experience to play a frame drum?
No. Frame drums are one of the most accessible percussion instruments. Hold and strike — rhythm develops with practice.

How does the tuning system work?
A hand-pump on the back adjusts air pressure behind the drumhead, changing the skin tension and therefore the pitch. It works like a small bicycle pump.

Is the goatskin head durable?
Yes, with reasonable care. Avoid exposing the drum to sustained moisture or extreme heat. Store flat or hanging in a dry space.