Meinl ID10WH Quinto Ibo / Udu

General

The udu is a traditional Nigerian instrument. Its origins are quite clearly visible, as it was initially created by creating a hole in the side of a ceramic water jug. It is also known as an Ibo drum - named for the Nigerian Igbo dialect, in which the word 'udu' literally means jar.

Meinl ID10WH Ibo / Udu

As you can see on the image, the udu has an opening on the side. By striking the hole with the palm of your hand, you create a deep bass sound, while striking the instrument with your fingers allows you to create a wide array of sounds. A tap on the bottom, for instance, results in a sharp, tabla-esque sound. If you want a clear overview of how this instrument is meant to be played, and would like some examples of its range of sounds, please take a look at the accompanying videos on this page. The first video shows the Meinl ID10WH. The other videos, in which other udus are used, are mostly there for inspiration.