Traditional Myanmar Musical instruments such as Ozi, Dobat, Byaw, Sidaw, Patma, Sito, Sakhan, Chauklon Pat and the Patma bodies are all made of wood and their membranes are of leather, and then tuned according to the required sound. These musical instruments are detrimental for Myanmar musician who use them for traditional musical performances. The Dobat or Double- Headed slung drums are an essential part of the Myanmar religious and charity scene here in our country. These musical instruments like the Sidaw, Patma and Sakhun are the main essential instruments in a Myanmar Saing Waing or Drum Ensemble. From the smallest 2 and half inches drum to the largest which will be 7 and half inches there will be 21 drums in the drum ensemble with each drum tuned to the desired sound from low to high by using kneaded dough on the membrane of the drums. These musical instruments are made from padauk or kokko wood. First of all, we cut the wood to the necessary length, drill a hole in the middle, then with a gouge you chisel out two holes at both ends and use files to make the inner surface of the drum smooth and later on you also smooth out the outer layer of the drum. Then to prevent insect infestation, water left overs and cracks and to get a good resonation you paint on oil dregs and let them dry for half a day. Cow's leather is used, for the membrane and you have to cut as much as you need for the membrane and when you make the membranes, you scratch the middle to make it thinner. To make the leather soft, you soak it in water for half an hour. Then when it becomes soft you make holes on the edges of the leather for the cords, which will hold the leather tightly stretched. These cords are also made from cow leather.

Then the hollowed wood, covered with the membrane by attaching the cords around the edges. Leather pieces are put under the membrane's edges so that when tuning is needed they will come in handy. This is called “Putting in the pieces”.
To control the two surfaces of the double headed drum, the specially made cow’s leather rope is used, Cow’s leather is the best one to be compared with that of others which can keep the level of the melodious sound we need.
Later on use a rope and tie this rope tightly between the two hallow holes of the drum and then we paint with oil paint so that the membrane can be easily tuned. Then enamel paint is applied in the original cow’s leather surfaces to prevent moisturizing and for turning out pleasant melody. Small rounded space, which has not been painted intentionally, is for adjusting the sound level of the double-headed drum.

And with this final note, we have bought to you this programme on Myanmar musical instruments made from hides such as the short, long, pot and double headed slung drums which are essential Myanmar musical instruments among the five basic Myanmar musical instruments which consist of the bronze, string, leather, wind and clapper.
Hope you enjoyed our programme and till next time.