The modern Djembe drum.

Although the modern style Djembe drums may not look as ornate as the traditional ones, they are much easier and quicker to tune-up. Most of the modern djembes use a screwing nut tuning method. This is useful for two reasons, firstly it means that the drum can be tuned in a matter of minutes, and secondly it means that the drum can be de-tuned easily which in turn will help to preserve the drum skin as they can have a tendency to split if they are kept tightly tuned for long periods of time.

The moral is 'Shop around', don't feal as if you have to buy the most expensive drum straight away. Perhaps start with a basic modern style small djembe like the one shown here. Then, as your experience and interest in drumming develops, you can branch out for the more expensive traditional drum.

Happy Shopping.

Djembe - The traditional Djembe drum

Before you go out and purchase your first Djembe drum, consider the type of drum you want and how you intend to use it. The traditional West African drums are hand carved and use a rope tuning method. The traditional djembes create a warm sound as well as a sense of authenticity in playing 'The real deal' djembe drum. However, their are certain draw backs. The robe tuning method can be a timely procedure. Traditional drums can also be very expensive and if the skin splits, it can be both difficult and costly to find someone who knows how to re-skin and re-tune the drum.

Djembe Slap Tone

When playing the slap tone. Remember to hit the drum using the tips of your fingers, keeping your hand relaxed and your fingers slightly apart.

Djembe Open Tone.

When playing the open tone, remember to hit the drum with the lower part of your fingers. Keep your hand relaxed.

Djembe Bass Tone.

When playing the bass tone, remember to hit the drum with the palm of your hand keeping your fingers together. Remember to keep your hand relaxed.

Djembe hand drumming technique Bass Tone

To play the Bass Tone: 1) Lift your arm from the elbow and strike the centre of the drum using the palm of your hand, keeping your hand flat and fingers together. 2) When striking the drum, allow your hand to bounce back off the drum head. 3) Alternate playing the bass tone with your right and left hand.

Djembe hand drumming technique basic hand position

The natural hand position for playing the Djembe is to have your hands forming a traingle shape. Remember that in order to create the best sounds from the drum, your hands should be relaxed.

Djembe hand drumming technique open tone

To play the open tone: 1) Raise your arm from the elbow and strike the drum using the weight of your fingers. 2) Keeping your fingers together and relaxed, strike the drum and allow you hand to bounce back off the drum head. 3) Alternate playing the open tone with your right and left hand.

Djembe hand drumming technique open tone side view

When playing the open tone, remember to focus the weight of your hand to the lower part of the fingers and not the tips.

Djembe hand drumming technique open tone

Now, see if you can practise playing both the bass and open tones by alternating your hands e.g. bass, bass, tone, tone, bass, bass, tone, tone (right, left, right, left) and so on. Alternating your hands when playing is known as 'Hand - to - Hand' playing. This is a preferred method of playing as it enables you to play a wider and varied range of rhythm's.

Djembe Hand drumming technique slap tone

Remember when playing the Slap Tone, to keep your fingers apart slightly.

Djembe hand drumming technique slap tone hand position

To play the Slap Tone: 1) Raise your arm from the elbow. 2) Allow your fingers to open slightly and strike the drum using the tips of your fingers. 3) As you strike the drum with your finger tips, you should notice that your hands are in a relaxed curved position. 5) Remember to focus the weight of your hand to your finger tips as you strike the drum and keep your hands relaxed. 6) The slap tone should sound louder and sharper compared to the open tone. 7) Practise the sequence Tone,Tone,Slap,Slap, remembering to alternate your hands each time.

Djembe hand drumming technique slap tone

Djembe hand drumming technique open tone

Djembe hand drumming technique bass tone