Anatomy of Shells

Question 1

Sound characteristics of segmented shells

Answer 1

Similar to stave shells, they have a short sustain and higher and more focused fundamental pitch.

Question 2

Sonic characteristics of “spun” shells

Answer 2

Spun shells are brighter and more sensitive and vibrant with a long sustain and lower fundamental pitch.

Question 3

What is the sound characteristics of steam bent?

Answer 3

Vibrant characteristic sound with long
sustain and true fundamental pitch.

Question 4

What is the most important part of the drum shell’s tonal qualities?

Answer 4

The shape of the bearing edge is absolutely the most important
part of a drum shell’s tonal qualities.

Question 5

Sonic characteristics of “Bent” type metal shells

Answer 5

Bent drums are also bright in tone, but because of the welding, have a shorter sustain than the other types of metal shells.

Question 6

Translate to danish

Lug

Receiving end of the tuning rods on the hoop.

Answer 6

Spændehus

Question 7

What is a “spun” type shell?

Answer 7

Spun shells are made from a single piece of metal that is spun and pressed into a cylinder

Question 8

Which shell composition has the most true sound to the nature of the wood being used?

Answer 8

Steam-bent

As it is one piece of wood with minimal amounts of glue.

Carved or core is similar

Question 9

What does shell diameter determine?

Answer 9

Shell diameter determines pitch range. Smaller is higher, larger is lower.

Question 10

Segmented shells

Answer 10

Segmented shells are often made from stacking
and gluing rings of wood cut from a single piece of wood.

Question 11

What is the qualities of shallower shells?

Answer 11

Shallower shells have a longer sustain, lower
attack (because of the increased sustain) and higher tuning
range.

Question 12

Does the bearing edge shape and amount of contact affect the shell’s contribution to sound?

Answer 12

Yes absolutely!

Shell contribution depends on bearing edge shape and amount
of contact with the head.

Question 13

What qualities does thicker shells have?

Answer 13

Thicker shells
increases volume and raises fundamental pitch.

Question 14

Sound characteristics of “Carved” or “Core” shells

Answer 14

Carved shells have a long sustain, true tone and higher fundamental pitch. But very expensive

Question 15

What is a “Cast” type shell?

Answer 15

Cast shells are made from a cast metal cylinder that is shaved into a precise thickness.

Question 16

What is a “Bent” type shell?

Answer 16

Bent shells are made from a sheet of metal that is formed by bending the metal around a cylinder form and then welded to retain the shape

Cheapest type of metal shell

Question 17

Stave shells

Answer 17

Stave shells are made from vertical pieces of wood that are cut to length, glued into a cylindrical shape

Question 18

What does thickness of the shell determine?

Answer 18

Thickness of shell determines volume and fundamental
pitch.

Question 19

Which type of bearing edges have the least amount of shell contribution?

Answer 19

Single cut bearing edges (like in a DW collector’s series) have the
least amount of shell contribution and the sound is mostly from
the head selection.

Question 20

What is the sound characteristics of plywood?

Answer 20

Long sustain with plenty of volume, due to its rigidity and density.

Question 21

Which bearing edges transfer the most energy to the shell?

Answer 21

Bearing edges centered on the shell allow for the most transfer
of energy to the shell.

Question 22

Sonic characteristics of “Cast” shells

Answer 22

Darker and louder
with a long sustain and higher fundamental pitch.

commonly found in snare drums
such as the Tama Bell Brass

Question 23

Sonic qualities of Steel

Answer 23

Bright and clear highs, average midrange and low end. All-purpose.

Question 24

Sound characteristics of “Stave” Shells

Answer 24

Short sustain and higher fundamental pitch.
Stave drums will be louder, are more responsive and can be tuned lower

*due to the orientation of the wood and the
fact that it remains in its natural state, *

Question 25

Steam-bent

Answer 25

Steam bent shells are made from a single piece of wood that
is treated and bent into shape with steam, then glued to hold
shape.

Question 26

What is the qualities of deeper shells?

Answer 26

Deeper shells have a shorter sustain, more attack and
lower tuning range.

Question 27

What does shell depth determine?

Answer 27

Shell depth determines fundamental tuning range, sustain, and
attack/punch.

Deeper is lower, longer and more attack, shallow is higher, shorter and less attack

Question 28

What qualities does thinner shells have?

Answer 28

Thinner shells are quieter and has a lower fundamental.

“As they vibrate more freely and are less rigid”

Question 29

What is the qualities of round bearing edges?

Answer 29

Round edges reduce overtones and increase energy dissipation
into the shell, reducing attack, sustain and volume.

Question 30

Translate to Danish

Hoop

Answer 30

Reife