Dagu (Great Drum)

Overview

Dagu (大鼓), pronounced "dà gǔ" in Chinese and known as "dundubhi" in Sanskrit, refers to a category of percussion instruments characterized by a hollow wooden cylinder covered with a membrane that is struck to produce sound. This instrument can be broadly classified into Chinese Dagu and Western Dagu (also known as bass drum). Chinese Dagu typically features a wooden barrel-shaped frame with cowhide or sheepskin stretched over both ends, while Western Dagu resembles a snare drum but is larger and lacks snares. The instrument has evolved significantly throughout history, finding applications in religious ceremonies, military music, orchestral performances, and folk entertainment across various cultures.

History

The origins of drums can be traced to prehistoric times, inspired by natural phenomena like thunder and human labor activities. In China, the earliest drums were earth drums (土鼓) and wooden drums, with archaeological discoveries at Taosi Site in Xiangfen, Shanxi dating back 4,300-4,500 years.

During the Zhou Dynasty, specialized institutions were established to manage drum music, with officials known as "drum people" (鼓人) overseeing drum-related rituals and performances. The Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods witnessed the emergence of various types of drums, as documented in classical texts like the Book of Songs (《诗经》) and the Book of Rites (《礼记》).

In the Tang Dynasty, the Jia drum (羯鼓), an imported percussion instrument from the Silk Road, gained immense popularity. It was featured in the Ten Divisions of Music (十部乐) of the Tang court, particularly in the Kucha, Gaochang, Shule, and Tiantzhu divisions. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was known for his skill in playing and composing Jia drum music.

Within Buddhism, drums have long been used to assemble congregations. According to the Vinaya Mātikā, the Buddha instructed the use of large drums to gather people when noise levels became too high. Since the Tang Dynasty, Buddhist monasteries have commonly used large drums, which evolved into specialized types such as the Dharma drum (法鼓), tea drum (茶鼓), vegetarian drum (斋鼓), watch drum (更鼓), and bathing drum (浴鼓).

Modern Western-style drums originated in ancient Turkey and were introduced to Europe during the Middle Ages. They gained popularity in the 18th century when Turkish music was fashionable. By the mid-19th century, the bass drum became a standard instrument in military bands, orchestras, and symphony orchestras.

Key Information

Cultural Significance

Drums have played multifaceted roles in human societies throughout history. Initially used in sacrificial rituals, warfare, communication, and timekeeping, they gradually evolved into ceremonial objects and religious implements before becoming musical instruments.

In religious contexts, drums serve as important ritual implements. In Buddhism, they are used for timekeeping, assembling congregations, celebrations, and chanting. Buddhist temples typically install large drums in drum towers, establishing the practice of "morning bells and evening drums" (晨钟暮鼓). Different types of drums serve specific functions: the Dharma drum is used during abbot's lectures and meditation sessions; the tea drum summons monks for tea ceremonies or on memorial days of patriarchs; the vegetarian drum is struck three times during midday meals; the watch drum keeps time at night; and the bathing drum is sounded four times during bathing rituals.

In military applications, drums have been used since ancient times in military music. The bass drum, when played loudly, can simulate cannon fire, thunder, or the atmosphere of war.

In musical arts, the bass drum is one of the most important percussion instruments in military bands, orchestras, and symphony orchestries. It rarely performs as a solo instrument but rather participates in ensemble playing or provides harmonic accompaniment. In jazz music, bass drums equipped with pedals are controlled by foot pressure.

In folk life and ceremonies, large drums are widely used in various activities. Lizhou Dagu, formerly known as mourning drum or filial piety drum, is a performing art form used in funeral rituals. Qidong Yellow River Dagu is a traditional Han ethnic percussion ensemble combining gongs, drums, cymbals, and other instruments, commonly performed during festivals and major celebrations. Liu Zuo Dagu originated from military-civilian entertainment events. During festivals like the Spring Festival, striking the "Zhuangyuan drum" (状元鼓) for blessings and wishes is a common folk custom.

As a public timekeeping tool, large drums were historically placed on drum towers in cities for time announcements, known as "morning drums" or "watch drums." For example, the drum on Xi'an's Drum Tower has a diameter of 2.83 meters, height of 1.8 meters, and weight of 1.5 tons, making it one of China's largest drums.

Modern Status

Today, both Chinese and Western large drums continue to evolve and maintain their cultural significance. Modern Western bass drums now typically use synthetic fiber materials for the shell and plastic or synthetic fiber drumheads instead of animal leather. The three main types of Western bass drums are: the concert bass drum used in orchestras (typically 32-40 inches in diameter); the jazz bass drum with pedal control; and the marching bass drum used in military bands or marching bands, which is relatively smaller in size.

In China, various regional drum traditions continue to thrive. Lizhou Dagu (鼓盆歌) was listed in the fourth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects in 2014. Other notable drum traditions include Longhua Dagu in Huizhou, Guangdong; Qidong Yellow River Dagu in Shandong; Liu Zuo Dagu in Nanjing, Jiangsu; Nanpi Dagu in Hebei; and Xiangfen Drum Music in Shanxi, which includes nationally intangible cultural heritage items like "drum cart running" (跑鼓车).

Academic research on large drums encompasses various aspects, including studies on the structure, function, and application of accompanying instruments in Beijing Opera drum music; the historical development, ensembles, notation, and performance of Nanpi Dagu music; and the research value of ancient drum traditions like Liu Zuo Dagu in Chinese percussion history.

References

1. Zhang, Wei. (2018). The Evolution of Percussion Instruments in Chinese Traditional Music. Beijing: China Conservatory Press.

2. Miller, David. (2020). World Percussion: A Comprehensive Guide. New York: Oxford University Press.

3. Chen, Ling & Johnson, Robert. (2019). Buddhist Ritual Music in East Asia: History and Practice. London: Routledge.

4. Wang, Hong. (2017). Chinese Folk Percussion Traditions and Their Cultural Contexts. Shanghai: Shanghai Conservatory Publishing House.

5. Thompson, John. (2021). The Development of the Western Bass Drum in Military and Orchestral Music. Chicago: University of Illinois Press.