Description
The udu is a clay vessel drum, and the Professional Udu Drum n.7 is a wheel-thrown example with a deep, bending bass and bright, dry tones across its body. The instrument comes from the udu tradition of the Igbo people of Nigeria, where the word means “vessel” or “pot” and the first udus were water jugs with an extra hole, played by women in ceremonies.
Sound and Playing Technique
The n.7 speaks in two voices. Strike the side opening with an open palm and release it, and the air moving through the chamber gives the low, bending bass the udu is known for. Tap the shoulders and belly of the pot with the fingertips for bright accents, and move a hand over the neck opening to shape the pitch. Most players sit with the drum on the lap or on a stand, so both openings stay within reach.
There is no skin to tension and nothing to tune. The note is fixed by the volume of air inside the pot and the size of its openings, both set when the clay is shaped and fired. Because every udu is thrown individually, no two share exactly the same fundamental note. If the pitch matters for your setup, ask us before ordering and we will check the drum in stock.
Handmade in Menemen, Izmir
The n.7 is shaped by Ahmet Tashomcu, a master potter from Menemen in the province of Izmir who has worked at the wheel since childhood. He won the world pottery championship in 2017 and 2019, is listed in Turkey’s National Inventory of Living Human Treasures, and throws the clay shells of both the udu drums and the clay darbukas in the Tapadum range. Each udu is made from the iron-rich red clay of Menemen, fired after shaping.
Design of the n.7
The body follows the classic udu profile: a rounded, teardrop-shaped chamber that narrows into a short neck with a lipped mouth, and a single round opening on the side. Fine throwing lines remain visible on the earth-toned clay, and a cream band with a brown brick-pattern motif circles the neck. It is the most restrained design among our udus, while the Udu Drum n.8 and Udu Drum n.9 carry darker decorative bands across the body.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Udu — clay vessel drum |
| Body | Wheel-thrown Menemen red clay, fired |
| Openings | Round side opening and open neck |
| Tuning | Fixed pitch, set by the chamber volume and openings |
| Decoration | Earth-toned body; cream neck band with brick-pattern motif |
| Maker | Ahmet Tashomcu, Menemen (Izmir) |
Who It Is For
The udu suits first-time players as well as experienced percussionists. Its core sounds come quickly with a light touch; the skill lies in controlling the long bass and how completely the side opening is sealed. It works in hand-percussion setups, acoustic ensembles and studio recording, and its warm, dry voice fits ambient and meditative music. Compare the whole udu drum collection, or read our guide to the udu drum for its history and technique.
Care
An udu is fired pottery, so a hard knock or a sudden change of temperature can start a crack. Carry it with both hands by the body rather than the neck, wipe it with a soft dry cloth, and never soak it in water. Store it upright on a padded surface where it cannot be knocked over, let it reach room temperature before playing, and use a padded case for travel.
