My name is Chris Bittner, and I am a drum maker living in central Pennsylvania. As you already know, drumming is fun, it is powerful, and oftentimes spiritual for people. We know that we enjoy the rhythm. But many people are left curious about the drums themselves: what are they made of, and how are they made? I would like to describe my drum making experience, so that you can learn a little about what I do.
Although I have been making drums for just five years, my drum journey really began when I was a child. My brother went around playing rhythms on everything, and since I had to copy him, I did it too. This is something which has never left me. I played “drums” on my dinner table, car dashboard, etc. When I was a child, I also learned to enjoy working with wood. My father taught me to use tools and make small projects. In my early twenties, I began making wood sculptures. Then about ten years ago, I began playing in any drum circle I could find, as well as a local West African drum and dance troupe. In 1999, I combined my love of woodworking with drumming, and began making drums.