Udu

Sound and Character

The sound of the udu combines a dry clay click on the surface and a deep, guttural, droning bass thud when the side hole is sharply closed with the palm. It creates a hypnotic, watery, and very organic groove.

Design and Features

A handmade clay jug with two openings: a classic neck at the top and an additional round hole on the side. The musician strikes the jug with fingers and palms while alternately closing and opening the side hole, changing the volume of air inside.

Genres Used In

• African traditional music
• Ethnic jazz, new age, and percussion solos
• Acoustic studio experiments