Product · Waist Drums · Village Sourced
Waist Drums (腰鼓): Sizes, Skins & Wholesale Specs
A waist drum (yaogu / 腰鼓) is worn for dance, folk and parade performance. Buyers care about diameter band, strap balance, skin and wholesale fields. Matun Drums is a Village Sourced purchasing agent in Matun Village, Yanshi, Luoyang—not a factory-direct manufacturer.
12–20 cm
Common face band
Overview
Built for movement — not a second types encyclopedia
Compared with a floor tanggu, a waist drum is built for movement: straps (or similar harness), shell depth and weight balanced for wear time—not only maximum boom. Depths are often shorter relative to face width than a hall drum of similar diameter—confirm the actual shell; do not assume a fixed ratio.
It is not the same instrument as a lion dance ensemble drum. For the full buyer map (tanggu vs waist vs lion dance), use Types of Chinese drums. This page is the product / conversion hub for wholesale specs and quote fields.
Matun Drums coordinates partner village workshops, QC and export from Matun Village, Yanshi, Luoyang. We do not manufacture drums and we do not sell “factory-direct from our plant.”
- Common face band 12–20 cm with length bands for adult / youth / child — confirm measuring method
- Cowhide / buffalo hide common; synthetic when climate or school policy requires
- Straps, finish and packing confirmed in the quote — not assumed
- MOQ and lead time depend on model and workshop schedule — ask in the quote
Gallery
In Performance & Craft Detail
From the festival dance to the painted surface — see the waist drum in motion and up close.
Performance
Festival Group Dance
Craft Detail
Gold Floral Scroll Pattern
Specifications
Common size & skin ranges (confirm before PO)
Treat bands as starting points—not an official national-standard diameter law. Measuring method (skin face vs shell OD) and workshop tolerance must be confirmed before the purchase order.
Sizes
12–20 cm face, 26–40 cm length
Size 1 (large): 20 cm face. Size 2: 16 cm. Size 3: 14 cm. Size 4: 12 cm. Adult length ~40 cm, youth ~32 cm, child ~26 cm. Confirm skin vs shell measuring method.
Materials
Poplar or willow shell, sheepskin/cowhide
Lightweight poplar or willow shells paired with sheepskin or cattle hide. Finish and hardware confirmed per quote—not assumed identical across workshops.
Colors
Red, yellow, blue, custom
Bright festive finishes for visual group routines — or specify your own palette in the quote.
Weight
Approx. 0.3 – 1 kg (indicative)
Lighter shells for longer dance sets; heavier builds for outdoor projection. Weigh a sample if wear-time is critical.
Strap
Adjustable shoulder strap
Padded, length-adjustable strap with sturdy attachment points on the shell — confirm for your age group.
Beaters
Pair included (typical)
Matched wooden beaters with fabric streamers for visual performance when included in the quote package.
Buyer Data Sheet
Complete Procurement Specifications
Buyer-facing fields for waist drum (yaogu) sourcing via Village Sourced partner workshops. Size bands below are common ranges—confirm before PO. Mixed-size bulk orders welcome for troupes and schools.
Model Number
MT-WD
Family code. Sub-code by diameter: WD-06 / 08 / 10 / 12 / 13.
Drum Type
Waist Drum (腰鼓)
Single-headed conical drum, played hung from shoulder strap with two slender sticks.
Diameter
6" – 13" (15–33 cm)
Standard adult size 8"–10". Children / training 6"–8".
Height / Depth
5" – 8" (13–20 cm)
Conical body, narrower at base for leg clearance while marching.
Weight
0.8 – 2.5 kg (per drum)
Lightweight design for sustained group performance.
Shell Material
Poplar or birch hardwood
5–7 ply laminated hardwood. Conical steam-bent body.
Shell Thickness
5 – 8 mm
Standard 6 mm. Thinner shells for brighter crack; thicker for warmer body.
Drumhead Material
First-layer cattle hide or synthetic
1.0–1.4 mm thickness. Synthetic recommended for school / training sets.
Hardware
Iron rings, cotton shoulder strap, brass nails
Reinforced iron rims, brass tension nails, wide cotton strap with adjustable buckle.
Tuning Method
Nail-tuned (traditional)
Hand-stretched and nailed. Stable for travel and outdoor use.
Sound Character
Bright, crisp, cutting
Sharp attack with short sustain. Cuts through ensemble and outdoor noise.
Recommended Use
Group dance & outdoor parade
Folk dance, parade, school performance, festival procession, stage.
Recommended Users
Schools, dance troupes, festival teams, folk ensembles
Lightweight, suitable for ages 6+ and group performance.
Finish
Red lacquer with gold floral scroll
Traditional red with gold scroll. Custom colors and motifs available.
Logo / Branding
Painted, printed, or laser-engraved
Add school / team logo. MOQ 100 pcs for laser engraving.
Packing Size
8" drum: 30 × 30 × 25 cm per ctn
5-ply export carton. 4 pcs/ctn bulk for 8"–10" drums.
Gross Weight
5 – 8 kg per carton (4 pcs)
Includes straps, sticks, and outer carton.
MOQ
Depends on model — ask in quote
MOQ depends on finish options and workshop schedule. Schools and troupes often order matched sets; we return a realistic range—not a fake single “official” MOQ.
Sample Availability
1–3 pcs in 5 days
Standard sizes often available as samples before mixed wholesale shipment; sample cost and freight quoted per case.
Sample Lead Time
5 – 10 days
From spec confirmation.
Bulk Lead Time
15 – 35 days (by quantity)
20–99 pcs: 15–20 days. 100–499 pcs: 20–28 days. 500+ pcs: 28–35 days.
Shipping Terms
EXW / FOB / CIF / DDP
EXW Luoyang, FOB Shanghai / Qingdao, CIF major ports, DDP US / CA / UK / EU on request.
Customization Options
Size, drumhead, color, logo, strap, packing
All listed fields above are customizable. Submit your spec sheet with your inquiry.
Estimated Price Tiers
Reference price ranges
| Order Quantity | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Sample (1–3 pcs) | from US$15 / drum |
| 20 – 99 pcs | Request quote |
| 100 – 499 pcs | Volume pricing |
| 500+ pcs | Custom quotation |
Reference ranges are indicative FOB/port terms in USD when quoted. Final price depends on size, finish, drumhead, packing and Incoterm. Tax / shipping not included until agreed.
Lead Time & MOQ
Production & delivery
MOQ
Depends on model — ask in quote
Sample Lead Time
5 – 10 days
Bulk Lead Time
15 – 35 days (by quantity)
Sample and bulk lead times start from spec confirmation and deposit receipt. Add freight time for ocean or air. Give your needed arrival window early.
Customization Checklist
Tell us what you need
Use this checklist in your RFQ to speed up quotation. Confirming these details up front avoids back-and-forth and gives you a more accurate price.
- Drum type & family code
- Diameter (6" / 8" / 10" / 12" / 13")
- Shell wood (poplar / birch)
- Drumhead material (cattle hide / synthetic)
- Color & motif (red+gold / custom palette)
- Team / school name on shell
- Strap material (cotton / leather / padded)
- Stick length & weight
- Stick material & finish
- Replacement head set
- Packing (4 pcs/ctn / 6 pcs/ctn / single)
- Quantity tier (sample / 20+ / 100+ / 500+)
Optional Accessories
Add to your order
| Item | Included |
|---|---|
| Cotton shoulder strap | ✓ |
| Wooden drum sticks (pair) | ✓ |
| Padded performance strap | + |
| Replacement drumhead | + |
| Carry bag (5 / 10 pcs) | + |
| Storage rack | + |
| Tuning kit (hammer + nails) | + |
| Bulk export crate (50 pcs) | + |
Packing & Loading
Built for export
5-ply export carton, EPE foam, desiccant, optional ISPM-15 wooden crate for full-container orders.
| Pieces per carton | 4 pcs (8"–10") · 6 pcs (6"–8") · 2 pcs (12"–13") |
| Carton size | 8" drum: 30 × 30 × 25 cm per ctn (4 pcs) |
| Gross weight per carton | 5 – 8 kg per ctn (4 pcs of 8"–10") |
| 20' FCL capacity | ≈ 4,000 pcs (8"–10") |
| 40' HQ FCL capacity | ≈ 9,000 pcs (8"–10") |
See full shipping & import options on Shipping & Import.
Who buys waist drums
Common buyer paths
Schools, troupes, festivals and importers — different wear-time and packing needs.
Schools / community
Matched classroom or festival sets; durability and spare skins.
Folk / dance troupes
Wearable weight, strap comfort, finish for stage or parade.
Festival organizers
Mixed sizes for age groups; cases for transport.
Wholesalers / importers
Size bands + MOQ discussion + Incoterm clarity — ask in quote.
FAQ
Questions buyers ask
What size waist drum do I need?
It depends on performer age/height and repertoire. Use the 12–20 cm face / 26–40 cm length table as a starting range, measure any drum your troupe already likes the same way, and confirm with the workshop before ordering. For type differences, see Types of Chinese drums.
What is your MOQ?
MOQ depends on model and workshop schedule—ask in the quote. We do not hard-code an unaudited single MOQ as the only official number on this page.
Are these factory-direct?
No. Matun Drums sources from village workshops (Village Sourced) and coordinates export QC. We are a purchasing agent—not a factory-direct manufacturer, and we do not claim “we build” or “our factory.”
Do waist drums come with straps and beaters?
Typical quote packages include an adjustable strap and a matched beater pair—confirm inclusions, spare skins and cases before the PO.
How do I request a wholesale quote?
Send quantity per size band (diameter × depth in cm), measuring method if known, skin/finish, straps/cases needs, destination/Incoterm, and whether you want a sample first. Use Get a quote, WhatsApp +86 18695901333, or WeChat 13213181166.
Ready to turn a size band into a shippable order?
Note diameter × depth (cm) + quantity + skin/finish. Open Get a quote, or WhatsApp +86 18695901333 · WeChat 13213181166. Village Sourced — not factory-direct.