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August 7, 2009

Handbuilding Video - Sound Advice: An Expert Udu Drum Maker Shares Tips for Making Coil Built Forms That Can Take A Beating

by Frank Giorgini Read Comments (8)

Making an udu drum (narrow-necked, vaselike clay instruments - see image below) involves coil-building and hump-mold techniques and, as you can imagine, the forms need to be strong since they, literally, must be able to take a beating. Frank Giorgini first learned to make udu drums  in 1974 at a workshop taught by Nigerian udu drum maker Abbas M. Ahuwan and he has been perfecting his technique ever since. Recently, Frank decided to put his methods on a DVD, The Art of the Udu Drum. The DVD covers the process from the initial lump of clay to the final smoke firing. Obviously, I can’t show the entire process here, but today I decided to excerpt a couple of Frank’s techniques because they are applicable to any kind of coil-built form. Whether you plan to make a drum or not, these tips will help you make forms that are both beautiful and structurally sound.  - Jennifer Harnetty, editor.

 

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This clip was excerpted from The Art of the Udu Drum, which is available in the Ceramic Arts Daily Bookstore. Learn the art of Udu drum making from the initial lump of clay to the final smoke firing!

Buy the DVD here!

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8 Comments

  1. ruth | August 7th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    One of Frank’s Udu drums as well as his tiles are on display at the “Journey’s in Clay ” Exhibit, GCCA Mountaintop Gallery, Main Street, Windham, NY until August 30. 518-734-3104. Curated by Ruth Sachs.

  2. Cynthia | August 7th, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    I wanna see the rest!!

  3. Marisa | August 8th, 2009 at 1:31 am

    The video was very interesting, not just to make udu drums, but to make another pieces of that size. I would like to see more.

  4. Phyllis | August 8th, 2009 at 10:05 am

    This was an excellent lesson on handbuilding.

  5. Sue | August 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Fascinating and otherwise excellent video! Can’t afford any more goodies at this time but if’n I could, this would be on the top of the list! Thanks so much.

  6. Carol | August 8th, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    Great, what’s it sound like?
    show us some finished pots.

  7. Elisa | August 9th, 2009 at 6:57 am

    Frank does an excellent job speaking as he works. Not easy to do! Very well done video.

  8. Donna | January 24th, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    I am glad that I watched because it taught me a lot about how to shape clay. I have begun my first clay program at the elementary school level. I am 65 and not a young art teacher, the last time I did any clay work was 30 years ago at college and that was in a sculpture class. Not really the same as making small bowls and pinch pots K-5.
    Thanks for the video!

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