About us

We are Nelis and Runi and our family. We are at home in the woods of Mecklenburg (NE Germany).
Here is also our workshop, where we are making our own drum frames, mostly from spruce wood, which is light and sturdy. We can make frames of different sizes and shapes.
We are using the hides of animals who hae lived freely here in Mecklenburg. They are either of roe deer, fallow deer, or red deer.
We do not skin the animals ourselves, but we do the cleaning of the skins (removing meat and hair) and the drying.
For making the drum itself, we cut the dried skin to size, soak it, and stretch it over the drum frame using dacron line for the "webbing" and cotton thread for the handlecross.
When the skin has dried again, the drum has come alive.
You can see a variety of our drums here
We would be happy to build a drum specially for you, or to guide you in building your drum yourself. We are offering drum building workshops several times a year, and individual arrangements are possible as well.

Drum Building

In this video we show how we make our drumframes and put a skin on it. It's recorded in our old workshop :-)

Our Drums

Here we present all the drums currently available. There are recordings of every drum, played by hand, and using a beater. Obviously each recording is an actual recording of the very drum it appears next to!! Then, of course, a drum's sound changes depending on things like humidity, mood, style of play. We can only offer a glimpse into the drum's possibilities.
Prices are excl shipping costs:
€7,50 within Germany, €15 within the EU and €30 to the rest of the world.
Have you found your drum in this list, email us (mail@nelisdrums.de), let us know which drum it is, and best your adress as well. Then everything will turn out fine! We don't have a click-click-buy system! :-)
Have you not found your drum in this list, but think that we should build it, or that you need to build it yourself, contact us (mail@nelisdrums.de), and we will find a way!

rtr076
Rothirsch/ Red deer, 42cm, 488g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€166

rtr082
Reh/Roe Deer, 31cm, 358g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€122

rtr083
Reh/Roe Deer, 33cm, 392g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€133

rtr095
Reh/Roe Deer, 31cm, 360g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€122

rt409
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 34cm, 444g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€133

rt423
Rothirsch/ Red deer, 56cm, 1190g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€266

rtr102
Rothirsch/ Red deer, 45cm, 796g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€177

rtr107
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 640g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt434
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 900g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rtr111
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 48cm, 894g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€199

rt453
Rothirsch/ Red deer, 45cm, 898g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt454
Rothirsch/ Red deer, 52cm, 1054g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€222

rtr127
Rothirsch/ Red deer, 52cm, 1094g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€222

rt455
Rothirsch/ Red deer, 58cm, 1136g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€288

rtr129
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 42cm, 754g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€166

rt458
Reh/Roe Deer, 48cm, 698g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€199

rtr133
Reh/Roe Deer, 33cm, 492g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€133

rt459
Reh/Roe Deer, 36cm, 490g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rtr135
Reh/Roe Deer, 36cm, 436g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rtr136
Reh/Roe Deer, 37cm, 620g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rt462
Reh/Roe Deer, 37cm, 588g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rt464
Reh/Roe Deer, 37cm, g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rtr138
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 778g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt466
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 750g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt468
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 1202g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt469
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 52cm, 1492g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€222

rtr140
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 55cm, 1176g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€255

rtr141
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 880g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt472
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 52cm, 1002g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€222

rtr142
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 44cm, 672g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€177

rtr143
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 44cm, 724g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€177

rt474
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 44cm, 830g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€177

rtr149
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 33cm, 324g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€133

rtr151
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 33cm, 324g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€133

rt480
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 39cm, 570g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rt482
Reh/Roe Deer, 39cm, 542g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rt486
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 33cm, 326g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€133

rt488
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 58cm, 1060g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€277

rt489
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 58cm, 1276g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€277

rtr152
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 56cm, 1168g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€266

rtr154
Reh/Roe Deer, 36cm, 378g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rt490
Reh/Roe Deer, 42cm, 690g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€166

rt491
Reh/Roe Deer, 42cm, 616g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€166

rt492
Reh/Roe Deer, 36cm, 370g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rtr155
Reh/Roe Deer, 42cm, 646g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€166

rtr156
Reh/Roe Deer, 36cm, 370g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€144

rt493
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 774g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt494
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 38cm, 460g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rt495
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 38cm, 478g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rtr157
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 38cm, 438g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rtr158
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 38cm, 452g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rtr159
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 38cm, 474g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rt496
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 38cm, 464g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€155

rt497
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 42cm, 806g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€166

rtr160
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 42cm, 628g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€166

rtr161
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 48cm, 890g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€199

rt498
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 692g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

rt499
Damhirsch/Fallow deer, 46cm, 842g

Hand Schlägel/Beater

€188

Flutes

Who doesn't know the hair-raising skwieky noises that recorders produce in the hands of children.
The Native American style flute is everything the recorder should have been. And yes offcourse she can make skieky noises. But with the first air chamber compensating pressure fluctuations, it is far more easy to make a nice sound with it. This, together with the pentatonic minor tuning, means that everyone can summon a few satisfying melodies out of the flute in almost no time.

Most think of Slow Floating New Age Indian Music when they think of the NAF, For wich it is actually ideal. But they are much more varied than just that, you can play slowly, quickly, swinging, dragging, but also staccato.

All our flutes are treated with non-toxic tung oil and beeswax.

Prices exclude shipping
€ 6.50 in Germany, outside Germany mostly around € 15
We don't ship to America get your flute from a native when your living there :-)

All of our flutes are a bit different, they are made of wood, so they all look different, but the sound of one is a bit airier, the other is warmer or clearer. that is why we took photos and recorded the sound of every flute. The audio samples that are next to each flute are from the flute that can also be seen in the picture. The recordings are without effects, so just the raw sound of the flute.
Click on the picture to see the rest of the photos of the flute.

fl010

€88

G# Hz

Länge: 49,5cm, Gewicht: 110g Holz Flöte: Lärche, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl018

€111

C 440Hz

Länge: 75,5cm, Gewicht: 232g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl020

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 45,2cm, Gewicht: 106g Holz Flöte: Kiefer, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl028

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 44cm, Gewicht: 68g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl029

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 43,7cm, Gewicht: 80g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl031

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 44cm, Gewicht: 76g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl033

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 44,4cm, Gewicht: 72g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl034

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 44,1cm, Gewicht: 70g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl038

€99

F# 440Hz

Länge: 51,5cm, Gewicht: 140g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl041

€66

C 440Hz

Länge: 37,2cm, Gewicht: 48g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl042

€66

B 440Hz

Länge: 39cm, Gewicht: 60g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl043

€66

B 440Hz

Länge: 40cm, Gewicht: 60g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl044

€66

B 440Hz

Länge: 40cm, Gewicht: 60g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl045

€66

B 440Hz

Länge: 39,7cm, Gewicht: 54g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl046

€66

B 440Hz

Länge: 39,7cm, Gewicht: 62g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl047

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 44,5cm, Gewicht: 66g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl048

€66

B 440Hz

Länge: 39,8cm, Gewicht: 62g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl053

€66

C 440Hz

Länge: 37cm, Gewicht: 44g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl060

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 44,3cm, Gewicht: 70g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl064

€88

G 440Hz

Länge: 51,5cm, Gewicht: 104g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl069

€88

G 440Hz

Länge: 51,5cm, Gewicht: 90g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl074

€66

C# 432Hz

Länge: 36cm, Gewicht: 64g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl075

€66

C# 432Hz

Länge: 35,5cm, Gewicht: 52g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl076

€66

C# 432Hz

Länge: 36cm, Gewicht: 54g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl079

€88

G#4 432Hz

Länge: 50,5cm, Gewicht: 118g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

fl082

€77

A 440Hz

Länge: 44,5cm, Gewicht: 68g Holz Flöte: Fichte, Vogelchen: Tropisch

Workshops

We are currently offering weekend workshops at our home (max 7 participants) in the woods. You will build your own drum from roe deer (max 42cm), fallow deer (max 52cm), or red deer hide (max 58cm), and get to know it in a guided journey.

The costs of €285 include all materials, (simple) accomodation, und exquisite food (ecological/wild). Vegetarian upon request. Vegan not possible.

For more information in English (or Dutch) contact us: mail@nelisdrums.de

Workshop Dates

  • 18/ 19/ 20 Oktober.
  • 22/ 23/ 24 November.

FAQ

There are some questions we have answered again and again, so now is the time to collect them here. We will add to this collection whenever we come across some interesting or amusing question. If you have a question that isn't answered here (or isn't answered well enough) do ask us! :-)


Does my drum come with a beater?

Yes, it does.
We're sending a beater along with each drum we make. (Unless you tell us specifically not to!)
Personally I prefer playing by hand, because you can have more dynamics and more emotion in your play when using your hands. Most beaters I've seen with shaman drums are large and unwieldy. Those that we make are simple and light, allowing for greater versatility in play.


Can my drum be tuned?

No, it can't.
Now there are opinions ranging from "drums without tuning possibility are worthless" to "Shamans in old times didn't have tunable drums either". The first opinion is insulting drums, and therefore me personally. The second opinion... oh well. The indians [North American natives] that everyone is so taken with didn't have horses or large cotton teepees before contact with Europeans. And what is the cliché image of an indian?! So what is "original", now?!
Basically, having no tuning options means that the drums will lose tension when you are outdoors in the evening and it gets colder and more humid. Then again, you will probably be having a bonfire when you are foing to play your drum outdoors at night. And that solves the problem.
Tuning options can be useful, but they also mean greater responsibility. I don't want to know how many drums died because their tension has been increased when the evening was humid, and then it has been forgotten to decrease tension before the next hot day.


My drum has completely lost tension. What can I do?


Contact us

We are best reached by email. Our email address is mail@nelisdrums.de

We do have a phone with the number +49 151 456 83 202. But it's usually offline, and/or lying at its designated place which is usually not where we are.

Our post address is:
Försterei 1
17237 Klein Vielen OT Brustorf.

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