Chinese drum terminology: English to Chinese glossary

shī gǔ

A flat, two-headed drum carried at the front of a lion dance troupe. Diameter typically 12-30 inches. Struck with two short sticks.

Also called 'lion head drum' in some regions. The lead drummer sets tempo for the lion.

táng gǔ

A large, barrel-shaped, two-headed ceremonial drum mounted on a wooden stand. Diameter 16-32 inches. Struck with two thick sticks.

Tang dynasty origin. Used in temple fairs, ceremonial processions, and large performances.

táng gǔ

A smaller, two-headed drum hung at the player's waist by a strap. Diameter 10-14 inches. Used in folk dance and yangge troupes.

Same characters as tanggu — distinguished by context. Often translated 'waist gong' or 'small tanggu'.

lóng gǔ

A flat, two-headed drum used in dragon dance processions. Similar in form to a lion dance drum but tuned for longer sustain.

Sometimes also used to describe large ceremonial drums in temple settings.

zhàn gǔ

A historical military-style barrel drum, larger and louder than tanggu. Diameter 20-36 inches. Used today in heritage performances and competitions.

Ming and Qing dynasty origin. Often painted with traditional motifs.

sìmiào gǔ

A large standing drum used in Buddhist and Taoist temple ceremonies. Hung vertically on a carved wooden frame.

Also called 'feng gu' (风鼓) or 'dharma drum'. Diameter commonly 24-32 inches.

biǎn gǔ

A shallow, single-headed hand drum. Smaller than a lion dance drum and lighter.

Used in folk ensembles and educational settings.

shēng pí

Untanned animal skin used as a drumhead. Most common material we ship. Requires oiling every 3-6 months.

Default material for lion dance and tanggu drums.

niú pí

Hide from cattle. The standard drumhead material — warm tone, moderate weather tolerance.

About 70% of drums we ship use cowhide.

shuǐniú pí

Hide from water buffalo. Denser and more weather-resistant than cowhide. Deeper tone, heavier weight.

Recommended for heavy outdoor use and tropical climates.

shānyáng pí

Hide from goat. Thinner and more responsive. Bright, cutting tone. The premium choice for competition drummers.

More expensive and higher maintenance than cowhide.

héchéng gǔpí

Mylar-style polymer film. Maintenance-free and weather-immune. Brighter and less warm than natural hide.

Used for schools, rental fleets, and venues with extreme humidity.

gǔ yóu

Lanolin-based leather conditioner applied to natural hide drumheads. Slows moisture loss and extends drumhead life.

Applied every 3-6 months in normal climates, monthly in dry indoor climates.

qiū mù

Lightweight hardwood with even grain. The most common shell wood for lion dance and tanggu drums. Warm, balanced tone.

Our default shell wood. Light enough for shoulder carry.

yáng mù

Soft, light wood. Used for budget drum shells. Less dense tone than catalpa.

Lower-cost option. Still serviceable for school and beginner use.

huà mù

Mid-weight hardwood with bright tone. Used for premium and competition drums.

More expensive than catalpa. Brighter attack.

yóu mù

Dense tropical hardwood. Premium choice for high-end drums. Very durable, deep tone.

Heaviest option. Used for display-grade and museum-quality drums.

jiāohébǎn gǔqiāng

Multi-ply laminated shell. Used for budget and export drums. Less resonant than solid wood.

Most affordable option. Suitable for entry-level and rental.

gǔ qiāng

The wooden body of the drum to which drumheads are attached. Diameter and depth determine pitch and tone.

Also called 'drum barrel' or 'drum case' in English.

gǔ huán

Metal ring that tensions the drumhead against the shell. Drums typically have top and bottom rings.

Pulled tight with rope or bolts to tune the drum.

shéngsuǒ tiáoyīn

Traditional method of pulling drumheads to tension using a network of ropes. Most common on lion dance and tanggu drums.

Allows precise tuning adjustment without tools.

luóshuān tiáoyīn

Modern method using bolts and lugs to tension drumheads. Used on larger and concert drums.

Faster tuning, more consistent, less authentic looking.

zhǐjiǎn

Quality control inspection. Every drum passes 10+ checkpoints before shipping.

Documented for export orders; reports available on request.

bēi dài

Adjustable shoulder strap for lion dance drums. Standard accessory.

Webbed cotton or nylon, with metal adjusters.

gǔ bàng

Wooden stick used to strike the drum. Length 30-40 cm for lion dance drums; thicker for tanggu.

Sold in pairs; junior size available for younger drummers.

EXW gōngchǎng jiāohuò

Buyer takes ownership at our factory floor. Buyer arranges pickup, freight, customs, and delivery.

Lowest quoted price, most work on the buyer side.

FOB zhuāngchuángǎng jiāohuò

Seller delivers to origin port and loads the vessel. Buyer pays ocean freight, insurance, and onward.

Most common choice for experienced importers.

CIF chéngběn bǎoxiǎn yùnfèi

Seller pays ocean freight and minimum insurance to destination port. Buyer handles import and last-mile.

Single shipping invoice, lower logistics complexity for buyer.

DDP wánshuì hòu jiāohuò

Seller delivers to buyer's warehouse, fully cleared and duty-paid.

Highest quoted price, zero logistics work for buyer.

HS biānmǎ

Harmonized System code used in customs declarations. Chinese drums typically classify under 9208.90.

Determines duty rates in destination country.

yuánchǎndì zhèng

Document certifying where the goods were manufactured. Required for customs clearance and preferential tariffs.

Issued by China Chamber of Commerce; Form E for ASEAN destinations.

shāngyè fāpiào

Document declaring the transaction value, quantity, and HS code. Required for customs clearance.

Standard document we provide with every international shipment.

zhuāngxiāng dān

Document listing every item in the shipment by carton, weight, and dimensions.

Used by customs and the buyer's receiving team to verify the shipment.

tí dān

Document issued by the carrier confirming receipt of cargo for shipment. Acts as title to the goods.

Required for the buyer to take possession at the destination port.

pīn guì

Ocean freight option where your shipment shares a container with other buyers' cargo.

Most cost-effective for 5-10 drums. Slower than FCL.

zhěng guì

Ocean freight option using a dedicated container. Required for 30+ drum orders.

20-foot container fits ~200 lion dance drums; 40-foot fits ~400.