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Maintenance

The following tips will help you maintain the condition of your wadaiko.

  1. Avoid moisture.
    • Store the wadaiko in a well-ventilated location, and keep the heads off of the ground.
    • If the wadaiko becomes wet (i.e. by rain), immediately dry off, and then let dry in the shade.
  2. Avoid direct sunlight.
  3. Avoid beating the heads at the center.
    • Better sound is achieved by hitting the heads off-center.
    • Continuos beating of one spot will lead to faster wearing and tearing of the heads.
  4. Try to use both heads equally.
  5. Do no use frayed bachi drumsticks, as they will damage the leather.
  6. Avoid stroking the heads with the bachi as you beat.
  7. Avoid beating the rims with a hard bachi.

*Kodaiko (small drums) are particularly vulnerable to concentrated-beating and stroke-beating.
Prolonged beating of a single spot or with stroking style will lead to heating of the leather, causing it to wear and/or tear.