Kanjira
PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This item is temporarily unavailable
REMOhas discontinued the cloth/mylar drumhead material. Please be patient as we source another suitable drumhead.
The Kanjira is a relatively recent innovation notably added to concerts of the Indian Carnatic music system as a supporting instrument for the Mridangam (the double headed barrel shaped drum). Today this small tambourine, with its unique sound and extraordinary tonal range, is widely popular and has an established voice of its own jazz, fusion and world music.
Cooperman has collaborated with virtuoso South Indian tambourine player Ganesh Kumar to introduce a kanjira that addresses the evolving role of the instrument, and that enhances the range and functionality of the traditional instrument. Our steam bent hardwood shell is 7 7/8″ dia. x 2 1/8″ deep. With a distinctive barrel-section profile for comfort and balance, and a slightly larger diameter to accommodate western play techniques, this evolved kanjira is fitted with a special Remo® cloth/mylar flim that imitates the flexibility of the traditional, but now endangered, lizard skin. A stack of coins are used as jingles to adds just the right cut.
PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT DELIVERY INFORMATION
Cooperman drums are crafted in small batches. Except for the instruments featured in our "Drums Available to Ship Now" section, it may take up to 4 weeks to build your drum from log to finished instrument. Please contact us if you have a specific scheduling issues about your purchase. Follow this link to view our Shipping Policy.
Cooperman Hand Drums start in the Vermont woods where we select native hardwood trees to mill, using methods passed down through generations of sawyers and drum builders to create our single-ply steam-bent wood shells. We mill a variety of wood species - primarily cherry, ash, and maple. We specify the wood for each model drum based on a variety of considerations, including sound characteristics of the shell, weight, and appearance.
Similarly, Cooperman offers drums with a variety of drumhead materials. We recommend synthetic heads - natural skin drumheads have a traditional and unique sound, but they are a great vexation to drummers since swings in temperature and humidity greatly effect tuning and playability. In many cases (as with the AIS series) we specify a particular drumhead (ie. REMO Renaissance or REMO Weatherking Clear). We use, exclusively, REMO synthetic products, choosing from their extensive catalog of options to suit the sound characteristics of the various drum models. We can mount a skin head at your request.
The drumhead is secured into an exterior groove, which is then covered with a colored cord. The default color is black, though in some cases we coordinate the color with other design features or decorative inlays.
All Cooperman drums are tunable. The tuning mechanism (US PATENT # 5,517,890) was developed and patented to address the evolving requirements of frame drummers. We believe it is the best system possible for keeping the drum in a desirable range while retaining the sound and visual aesthetic of a traditional frame drum. All drums are sold with a tuning wrench included.
Our standard finish is a clear, musical instrument grade lacquer. This finish protects and brings out the extraordinary grain of our native Vermont hardwoods. For some models, our drums are specified with decorative and colorful stains, inlays, or overlays. In most cases, you may choose to personalize your drum with a custom finish.
Many of the design specifications can be customized - wood choice. head material, diameter, depth, etc.. Contact us by email or phone to discuss your ideas.
We hope you will have a lifetime of satisfaction with your drum and spread the word about the instruments we make.
