Music has been around since humans first walked the earth, and it is one of the things that unites us all. It has the power to connect people from different backgrounds and cultures, and one instrument that embodies this is the Djembe Drum.
If you’re new to the world of music, you might not know what a Djembe Drum is or how to play it, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. What are Djembe Drums?
Originating from West Africa, a Djembe Drum is a type of wooden drum with a goat skin head that is played with bare hands. It is a versatile instrument that can produce a wide variety of sounds, from deep and resonant bass notes to sharp and crisp high-pitched notes.
Djembe Drums come in different sizes, with the largest ones capable of producing the strongest bass notes. What are Djembe Drums made of?
As mentioned earlier, a Djembe Drum is made of wood and goat skin. The wooden part of the Djembe Drum is usually carved from a single piece of hardwood, such as mahogany, or harvested from a tree known for its dense wood, like the Lenke tree.
The drumhead is made of goat skin, and the hair is usually removed to prevent it from getting in the way of playing. The skin is then stretched over the wooden part of the Djembe Drum and secured in place with a system of ropes or a metal ring.
How to Play Djembe Drums
Now that we know what Djembe Drums are and what they’re made of, it’s time to learn how to play them. Here are some tips and techniques to get you started:
Tips and Techniques
Playing the Djembe Drum requires years of practice, but with these tips and techniques, you can start your journey and develop your skills:
1. Relax your hands – Playing the Djembe Drum requires a lot of hand movements, so it’s important to keep your hands relaxed.
Tense hands can cause injuries and prevent you from playing fluidly. 2.
Use your whole hand – Unlike other types of drums that are played with sticks, Djembe Drums are played with bare hands. So, use your whole hand, including your fingers, palm, and edge, to produce different sounds.
3. Practice regularly – Regular practice is essential to become a great Djembe Drum player.
Make it a habit to practice for at least 30 minutes every day. How to Hold Djembe Drums, The Correct Technique
Holding a Djembe Drum might seem simple, but there is a proper way to do it.
Follow these steps to hold the Djembe Drum correctly:
1. Sit on a stool or chair – It’s recommended to sit on a stool or chair when playing the Djembe Drum, as it will help you maintain the correct posture and allow you to reach all parts of the drum.
2. Place the drum between your legs – Place the Djembe Drum between your legs, with the bottom of the drum resting on the floor and the top of the drum tilted towards you.
3. Hold the drum with your thighs – Use your thighs to hold the drum in place and keep it from moving around.
4. Use your non-dominant hand to support the drum – Place your non-dominant hand on the side of the drum opposite your body to provide additional support.
5. Play with your dominant hand – Use your dominant hand to play the drum and produce different sounds.
Basic Notes to Know
To play the Djembe Drum, you need to know some basic notes. Here are the notes you need to know:
1.
Bass Note – This is the deep, low-pitched sound that is produced by hitting the center of the drumhead with your entire hand. 2.
Tone – This is the middle-pitched sound that is produced by hitting the edge of the drumhead with your fingers. 3.
Ping Note – This is the high-pitched sound that is produced by hitting the edge of the drumhead with the tips of your fingers. 4.
Djembe Drum Slap – This is the sharp, crisp sound that is produced by hitting the edge of the drumhead with the back of your fingers. 5.
Muffled Tone – This is a muted version of the Tone, and is produced by hitting the drumhead with the palm of your hand.
African Music and Djembe Drums
One of the things that make Djembe Drums unique is their connection to African music. African music is known for being polyrhythmic, which means that it uses multiple rhythms and beats at the same time.
Polyrhythms are essential to African music and are a big part of what makes it so lively and energetic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Djembe Drums are a unique and amazing instrument that has the power to bring people together. Their versatility and connection to African music make them an instrument worth learning.
Remember, it takes time and practice to become a great Djembe Drum player, but with patience and determination, you can achieve your goal. So, grab a Djembe Drum and start playing today!
Adding Djembe Drums to Your Repertoire
If you’re a drummer looking to expand your repertoire or a performer looking to add some unique sounds to your act, Djembe Drums are a great addition. Not only are they fun to play, but they also produce a wide variety of sounds that can add depth and character to your performances.
In this article, we’ll explore the process of adding Djembe Drums to your repertoire, and provide some tips and techniques for making the most of this unique instrument.
Drumming with Djembe Drums
Before you can add Djembe Drums to your repertoire, you need to know how to play them. Djembe Drums are primarily played with bare hands, which means that the techniques used for playing them are different from those used for playing drums with sticks.
However, there are some similarities between the two, which means that drummers can easily add Djembe Drums to their repertoire with a little bit of practice. The first step in learning how to play Djembe Drums is to master the basic notes, which include the bass note, tone, ping note, Djembe Drum slap, and muffled tone.
These notes are the foundation of playing Djembe Drums and are essential for creating a variety of sounds. Another important aspect of playing Djembe Drums is the ability to perform polyrhythms.
Polyrhythms are a hallmark of African music and are an essential part of playing Djembe Drums. To perform polyrhythms, you need to be able to play multiple rhythms and beats at the same time, while ensuring that they all fit together seamlessly.
Performance with Djembe Drums
Once you’ve mastered the techniques involved in playing Djembe Drums, it’s time to incorporate them into your performance. The first thing to consider is the type of song or piece that you’ll be playing.
Djembe Drums work best with music that has a strong rhythm or beat, such as folk, world music or even pop music in some instances. When playing with other musicians, it’s important to listen to each other and maintain a steady tempo.
In a performance context, the Djembe Drum player is often considered the “timekeeper,” as they provide the beat and rhythm that the other musicians build upon. When performing solo, you have more freedom to experiment with different sounds and techniques.
You can use the different notes and techniques to create a variety of rhythms and beats, adding a unique twist to your performance.
Sound with Djembe Drums
One of the things that make Djembe Drums so unique is the wide variety of sounds that they can produce. The different notes and techniques can be used to create a range of sounds, from deep and resonant bass notes to sharp and crisp high-pitched notes.
The sound of a Djembe Drum can be further modified by adjusting the tension of the drumhead, which can produce different tones and pitches. When considering adding Djembe Drums to your repertoire, it’s important to think about the sound that you want to achieve.
The size of the Djembe Drum, the tuning of the drumhead, and the technique used to play the drum all influence the resulting sound. Experiment with different combinations to find the sound that works best for you.
Making the Most of Djembe Drums
To make the most of Djembe Drums in your repertoire, it’s essential to invest time and effort in learning how to play them correctly. This means practicing regularly and seeking out resources, such as instructional videos, books, and workshops, to improve your skills.
Incorporating Djembe Drums into your performances can add depth and character to your music. Experiment with different sounds, techniques, and rhythms to find the right combination for your style and genre.
With a little bit of practice, Djembe Drums can become an essential part of your repertoire, adding a unique and vibrant element to your music. In summary, Djembe Drums are a unique and versatile instrument originating from West Africa that can add depth and character to any performance.
To add Djembe Drums to your repertoire, it’s important to master the basic techniques and notes, including polyrhythms. When performing with Djembe Drums, it’s essential to maintain a steady tempo and listen to each other.
By experimenting with different sounds, techniques, and rhythms, Djembe Drums can become an essential part of any musician’s repertoire, adding a unique and vibrant element to their music.
