The skin on my pandeiro arrived really loose. Is this normal?
Yes, it was tuned all the way down intentionally. You should actually do the same whe you’re not playing it. It takes the tension off the frame as well as the skin itself. This is good for the longevity of both! Many luthiers and players recommend tuning and de-tuning using a diagonal, criss-crossing technique to make sure you’re putting even tension on each side of the drum. Whichever way you decide to tune and de-tune you should be aware of the balance of tension on the rim. This is important!
