Originally, the Surdo is a derivative of the bass drums played in European Street/brass bands, while, in terms of rhythm, its musical role is directly linked to African drumming traditions.
In samba percussion ensembles (baterias), its function is to emphasize the main beat (pulsation) and bring variations to the second beat of a 2-beat, basic pattern.

Surdo is played with mallets; generally with one mallet and one bare hand to modify the sound length and pitch by pressing the drum head. Mallets' ends are often thick and soft in order to make the impact with the head and the resulting sound softer.

Contemporânea, Brazilian leader in percussion-making for 50 year, has designed the "Light" range to give a large public access to quality instruments with reasonable prices.

Diameter : 18 in
Head : synthetic
Shell : metal
Tension rods : 8
Weight : 6.3 kg
Delivered with a tuning spanner