Udu
{{Short description|Musical instrument of the Igbo of Nigeria}}
{{Other uses|Udu (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
The kim-kim or Udu is a plosive aerophone (in this case implosive) and an idiophone of the Igbo of Nigeria. In the Igbo language, ùdù means 'vessel' or 'pot'.{{Cite journal |date=1999-10-01 |title=Rhythm & beauty:jazz |journal=Choice Reviews Online |volume=37 |issue=2 |pages=37–0844-37-0844 |doi=10.5860/choice.37-0844 |doi-broken-date=1 February 2025 |issn=0009-4978}} This is a hand percussion instrument and it is one of the most important instruments in Igbo music.
About
Early Udu drums were simply water jugs with an additional hole and were played by Igbo women for ceremonial purposes.{{cite book |last=Nzewi |first=Meki |year=1991 |title=Musical Practice and Creativity: An African Traditional Perspective |publisher=University of Bayreuth |page=68}} Legend says that the Udu drum was made accidentally because a punched hole was on the side, making it useless. Instead of throwing it away, the owner started to drum it.
Construction
Usually, the Udu is made of clay. Sometimes, the ashes of relatives are used to make them too, but it also can be made out of plastic or glass. Today it is widely used by percussionists in different music styles.
Playing and technique
The Udu is played in two primary ways: it is either placed on the lap or secured to a stand using duct tape.{{Citation |title=Drums for winding wires and strips for electrical purposes for use in the United Kingdom |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3403/30307817 |access-date=2024-04-03 |publisher=BSI British Standards|doi=10.3403/30307817 |url-access=subscription }} The player produces a bass sound by quickly striking the larger hole.{{cite web |title=Schlagwerk percussion website |url=http://www.schlagwerk.de/produkte/udu-drums/udu-classics/bass-udur-das-original/ |publisher=Schlagwerk |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407144005/http://www.schlagwerk.de/produkte/udu-drums/udu-classics/bass-udur-das-original |url-status=dead }} Various pitches can be achieved by adjusting the hand position over the smaller upper hole. Additionally, the body of the instrument can be played using the fingers, creating a diverse range of sounds.
Udu makers
- Clive Sithole{{Cite web |title=On Family and Reflection: Clive Sithole at Mid Career |url=https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-article/On-Family-and-Reflection-Clive-Sithole-at-Mid-Career-213741 |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Default |language=en}}
- Eugene Skeef{{Cite web |date=2016-11-02 |title=Sound Futures: Exploring Contexts for Music Sustainability. {{!}} Loud Mouth - The Music Trust Ezine |url=https://musictrust.com.au/loudmouth/the-world-of-music-new-series-vol-4-2015-1-sound-futures-exploring-contexts-for-music-sustainability/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |language=en-AU}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2020}}
