I bought from Marcus Music (in the grounds of Tredegar House) and they are usually present at several festivals like Bromyard.

& Gerhard Cress because he made one in red just to tempt me. He now lives in Wales and usually is at Chippenham.

An adjustable one is a good investment. I prefer a single bar and not too deep sides. Get your hand inside the bar and bridge with the fingers, you should not have to stretch too far because an hour playing you will feel the strain. Mine have flat bars - it spreads the load on the back of your hand.

After that - just remember that as you hit the thing, you are prepared for the bang and the brain readies the ears/audio cortex, so you don't think you are as loud. Others will differ. And as you get confident you will get enthusiastic. That all means loud. PLAY QUIETLY until you can judge the effect.

Oh webmail from here for the killer joke to deploy when all the drum jokes are done - it silences the jokers AND is funny.