teponaztli
Quick Summary
The teponaztli is a type of slit drum, a percussion instrument made from a hollowed tree trunk with a lengthwise slit. The edges of the slit are often of different thicknesses to produce different pitches. Unlike membrane drums, slit drums are classified as idiophones, meaning they are resonant solids.1
These instruments are found globally and can range from large, hut-enclosed tree trunks to small bamboo instruments. The teponaztli, specifically, is a Mexican slit drum of Aztec origin, often featuring an H-shaped slit that produces two distinct pitches. Slit drums were frequently used in rituals, sometimes associated with magical attributes, water, death, and resurrection. They also served as signaling instruments, capable of transmitting messages by mimicking human speech inflections. Elaborately carved animals often adorned these drums.12
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Native American musicCentral Mexico…are the log drum (teponaztli) and single-headed drum (huéhuetl); these instruments have been played since pre-Columbian times. Central Mexicans also play Spanish instruments such as the violin, guitar, and harp. In addition, the Mixtec have adopted certain percussion instruments introduced by African peoples; these include the cajón de tapeo,…
Read More…are the log drum (teponaztli) and single-headed drum (huéhuetl); these instruments have been played since pre-Columbian times. Central Mexicans also play Spanish instruments such as the violin, guitar, and harp. In addition, the Mixtec have adopted certain percussion instruments introduced by African peoples; these include the cajón de tapeo,…
Read More- Native American musicIdiophones
…is the log drum or teponaztli, which consists of a hollow tree trunk with a carved H-shaped slit that creates two tongues, each of which produces a separate tone. The teponaztli may be placed horizontally and played with mallets or carried on a person’s back to be played by someone…
Read More…is the log drum or teponaztli, which consists of a hollow tree trunk with a carved H-shaped slit that creates two tongues, each of which produces a separate tone. The teponaztli may be placed horizontally and played with mallets or carried on a person’s back to be played by someone…
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percussion instrumentIdiophonesCharacteristic of the well-known teponaztli is the form of its slits, cut to form an H with tongues of different thicknesses, thus allowing it to emit two differently pitched sounds. Formerly, Zapotec warriors of Ixtepeji, Mex., went into battle carrying an idol and singing to the accompaniment of the…
Read MoreCharacteristic of the well-known teponaztli is the form of its slits, cut to form an H with tongues of different thicknesses, thus allowing it to emit two differently pitched sounds. Formerly, Zapotec warriors of Ixtepeji, Mex., went into battle carrying an idol and singing to the accompaniment of the…
Read More
Latin American musicPre-Columbian patternsThe teponaztli, a two-key slit drum played with a mallet, and the huehuetl, a single-headed cylindrical upright drum played with bare hands, occupied a special position in Aztec rituals and were considered sacred instruments. Many of the archaeological examples of these drums carry elaborate carvings with…
Read MoreThe teponaztli, a two-key slit drum played with a mallet, and the huehuetl, a single-headed cylindrical upright drum played with bare hands, occupied a special position in Aztec rituals and were considered sacred instruments. Many of the archaeological examples of these drums carry elaborate carvings with…
Read More