Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Percussion instrument making

Section one - About you

Section two - Description of the craft

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:
  • Market issues: The biggest problem is that most instruments are made for the cheaper end of the market and consumers buy from known brands. These manufacturers are driving standards down as they constantly aim to reduce costs. Additionally there are a large number of drum makers who assemble components to produce bespoke drums – there are still quite a few who even make the shells and components themselves. Becoming more specific there are very few people who make kettle drums and specialise in specific areas of percussion making, but the market is very small and niche, so increased supply from emerging makers actually reduces the viability of established small businesses. Ultimately what needs to happen is that players should support instrument makers by buying from them, but that is my job to persuade them of the merits of doing so.
  • Raw materials: Honduras rosewood is one of the most expensive timbers in the world and an endangered species. It is one of only a few tonewoods that are suitable for making percussion instruments and is still used for top qualiity orchestral instruments. Most mid range xylophones made in the UK are made from Padauk, (Pterocarcarpus angolensis). Equally copper reserves are falling, so prices are going up constantly for it and all copper alloys. Because of the relatively small quantities used in percussion making it is difficult to compete with the larger manufacturers on both price and the ability to invest in stocking raw materials.
  • Training and recruitment issues: there are no training courses for percussion instrument making.

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools

If yes, please describe the issues below

i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts

If yes, please describe the issues below

Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict

If yes, please describe the issues below

Please describe any other issues

Section five - Current Initiatives to preserve craft skills

Please describe any UK projects or schemes

Section six - Main players in the craft – please tell us who you know about

Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.

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Add practitioner

Section seven - Optional additional information

It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.

e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.

e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.

This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.

e.g. books, websites etc.