noun Tassa is a form of kettle drum, presumably of Persian derivation that was brought to the Caribbean by indentured Indian workers durin gthe 19th centruy. It is made by tightly covering a clay shell with goat skin; early versions were covered in monkey skin as well. When ready to play, the goat skin is heated by aid of a fire to tighten the head, making the pitch higher. Modern versions are made of metal 'fiberglass' clay pots with a plastic head that is tightened with screws or even a plastic head that is tied on to the pot. These last longer and do not have to be adjusted as frequently.
noun The music made by tassa drums.
related
comments
d
this is what a tassa looks like
PRAKASH13 years ago
PRAKASH
13 years ago
WHO CREATED THE GOAT SKIN AND THE PLASTIC SKIN TASSA
J
JJohnlast year
J
John
last year
The goat skin tassa drum was re-invented in Trinidad when our forefathers had to improvise. The Plastic skin tassa drum...there are many who claim, but so far Krishna Soogrim-Ram from Malick Tassa Drummers had the most evidence of inventing, but let's assume that people from different countries had similar ideas. Vijay Rambair of Malick Youngstars Tassa "invented" the Freon tank tassa shell!