Slit drum

Slit drum

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Slit drum

Two Aztec slit drums, called teponaztli. The characteristic "H" slits can be seen on the top of the drum in the foreground.

An example of a slit drum from the Philippines known as a kagul by the Maguindanaon people<!-- cite web -->

An example of a slit drum from the Philippines known as a kagul by the Maguindanaon people^[1]

Wooden slit drums from Vanuatu, Bernice P. Bishop Museum

A slit drum is a hollow percussion instrument, usually of bamboo or wood, which is made more resonant through one or more slits in it.

Most slit drums have three slits, cut into the shape of an "H". If, as is usual, the resultant tongues are different lengths or thicknesses, the drum will produce 2 different pitches.

The ends of a slit drum are closed so that the shell becomes the resonating chamber for the sound vibrations created when the tongues are struck, usually with a mallet. The resonating chamber increases the volume of the sound produced by the tongue and presents the sound through an open port. If the resonating chamber is the correct size for the pitch being produced by the tongue, which means it has the correct volume of airspace to complete 1 full sound wave for that particular pitch, the instrument will be more efficient and louder.