The Tambor, a traditional drum integral to Cumbia music, pulsates with the heart of Colombian culture. Explore the Tambor’s role in Cumbia, detailing its historical roots, various types, construction methods, playing techniques, and the celebrated drummers who have left an indelible mark on this genre.

What are the types of Tambor Drums in Cumbia?

Cumbia features several types of Tambor drums, each with unique characteristics and roles. We examine the differences in their construction, sound, and how each contributes to the unmistakable rhythm of Cumbia.

Tambor Alegre:

• Construction: The Tambor Alegre is a medium-sized drum, usually made from wood and animal hide. It has a slightly conical shape, with the head typically made from goat skin for a resonant sound.
• Sound: This drum produces a warm, melodic tone that adds depth to Cumbia music. It is known for its versatile sound, capable of producing both low and high pitches depending on the playing technique. The Tambor Alegre is often used to provide the main rhythm in Cumbia ensembles. It is played with the hands, using a combination of open and closed strokes to create complex rhythms that drive the dance.

Tambor Llamador:

• Construction: The Tambor Llamador is smaller and deeper than the Tambor Alegre. It is typically constructed from wood, with a tight animal hide head, often from a cow or a calf, to produce a distinct sound.
• Sound: This drum has a deep, bass tone that serves as the foundation of the Cumbia rhythm. Its sound is powerful and grounding, providing a steady beat for dancers to follow. The Tambor Llamador is aptly named for its “calling” function in the music. It plays a repetitive, steady rhythm that calls the dancers to the floor and anchors the ensemble’s overall sound.

Tambora:

• Construction: The Tambora is a large, double-headed drum, often made from wood and cowhide. It has two distinct sides, each producing different tones, and is played with sticks.
• Sound: This drum is known for its loud, explosive sound. One side of the Tambora produces a deep, bass tone, while the other side offers a sharper, higher-pitched sound. In Cumbia, the Tambora is used for accents and emphasis. It adds dramatic flair to the music, with drummers often using it to punctuate the rhythm and highlight certain parts of the song.

The Art of Making a Tambor

The creation of a Tambor is an art form, involving traditional methods and natural materials like wood and animal hide. This craftsmanship involved in making these drums emphasizes the artisanal skills passed down through generations.

• Material Selection: The choice of wood is crucial for the Tambor’s sound quality. Artisans often select hardwoods like oak or mahogany for their durability and resonance. The animal hide, typically from a cow or goat, is chosen for its thickness and elasticity, which affects the drum’s tone.
• Shaping the Drum Body: The selected wood is carved and shaped into the desired form of the Tambor, whether it’s the conical shape of the Tambor Alegre or the cylindrical form of the Tambor Llamador. This step requires precision and skill to ensure the drum’s structural integrity and sound quality.
• Preparing the Hide: The animal hide is cleaned, soaked, and stretched to prepare it for mounting on the drum. This process is crucial for achieving the right tension and texture on the drumhead, which influences the Tambor’s sound.
• Mounting the Drumhead: The prepared hide is carefully mounted onto the drum body and secured with ropes or metal rings. Artisans must ensure an even tension across the drumhead to produce a consistent and clear tone.
• Tuning the Tambor: Once the drumhead is mounted, the Tambor is tuned by adjusting the tension of the hide. This is often done by heating the drumhead or tightening the ropes or rings, depending on the drum’s construction. The tuning process is vital for achieving the desired pitch and resonance.
• Decorating the Tambor: Many Tambors are adorned with decorative elements like carvings, paintings, or fabric, adding a cultural and personal touch to the instrument. This step showcases the artisan’s creativity and adds to the Tambor’s visual appeal.

Mastering Tambor Techniques

Playing the Tambor requires skill and rhythmical acumen. Drummers use the Tambor to communicate and interact with dancers and other musicians. Beginning with basic techniques like hand positioning and stroke types, this part progresses to more complex rhythms and patterns unique to Cumbia.

• Hand Positioning: Proper hand positioning is crucial for producing the desired sounds on the Tambor. Players typically use the dominant hand for striking the center of the drumhead to produce the bass tones, while the non-dominant hand is used for tapping the edges to create higher-pitched sounds. The interplay between the two hands creates the dynamic rhythms characteristic of Cumbia.
• Stroke Types: There are several stroke types used in playing the Tambor, each producing a different sound. The open stroke (golpe abierto) involves striking the drumhead with a relaxed hand to produce a resonant tone. The closed stroke (golpe cerrado) is a sharper, more muted sound created by pressing the fingers against the drumhead immediately after striking. The slap stroke (golpe de palma) produces a loud, crisp sound and is used for accents and emphasis.
• Basic Rhythms: Cumbia drummers start by mastering basic rhythms like the cumbia beat, which is a repeating pattern of bass and higher-pitched tones. This foundational rhythm serves as the backbone of Cumbia music and is essential for maintaining the tempo and groove of the song.

Legendary Tambor Players

CumbiaFM pays homage to legendary Tambor players like Rafael Cassiani Cassiani and Lisandro Meza, who have elevated Cumbia music with their mastery.

• Rafael Cassiani Cassiani: As the leader of the renowned group Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Rafael Cassiani Cassiani is a revered figure in the world of Cumbia. His mastery of the Tambor Alegre has been central to the group’s signature sound. Cassiani’s playing style, characterized by intricate rhythms and dynamic expression, has been a source of inspiration for countless musicians and has helped to preserve the traditional essence of Cumbia.
• Lisandro Meza: Known as “El Rey Sabanero,” Lisandro Meza is a multi-talented musician who has excelled as a Tambor player, accordionist, and singer. His ability to seamlessly blend the rhythmic patterns of the Tambor with other instruments has contributed to the evolution of Cumbia. Meza’s innovative approach to the Tambor has expanded the instrument’s role in the genre, making it a more prominent feature in modern Cumbia arrangements.

The Tambor is not just an instrument; it’s a dance partner in Cumbia. The Tambor continues to be the rhythmic backbone of Cumbia, an emblem of its rich cultural tapestry. Its deep, resonating beats not only drive the music forward but also connect listeners to the history and soul of Cumbia. As the genre evolves, the Tambor remains a constant reminder of the power and vibrancy of traditional music.

Photo credit: Antonio @ Flickr