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Selecting a drum
When selecting a djembe drum, there are several considerations to point out; cost, size, sound preference, aesthetics and cultural relevance to mention a few. How much to pay Djembe drums range in price from as low as $20 - $30 to as much as $600. Authentic West African djembes come primarily from Ghana , Ivory Coast , Mali , Guinea , Senegal , and Gambia . There are also other sources of non-traditional Djembes namely Indonesia and China . The best drums on the market will be professional quality djembe from West Africa . Professional quality djembe drums will cost anywhere from $200 - $600 and sound and look like it. These drums will have a well made shell out of a hard wood like Mahogany or Iroko wood or other medium to high density types of wood. Keep in mind that when you buy a djembe, you are really paying for the shell – all the other elements that make up the drum are cheap and easily replaceable so when purchasing your drum, focus on the shell which should last a lifetime.
Tuning an African made Djembe drum Why tune your drum?
A well tuned drum will produce a wonderfully diverse range of sounds between the high and low frequencies and everything in between. Also, the drum will produce well rounded sound and not vibrate or rattle. The bass tone should be deep yet tight and demand your attention. It is important to understand that tuning a djembe is not an exact science. There are generally accepted ranges that sound good to an experienced drummer or listener but at the end of the day, it is your drum – let the sound be pleasing to your soul. The easiest way to tune your djembe, is to use the excess tuning rope to increase the tension of the vertical ropes. This process will add diamonds to the vertical roping system and raise the pitch of the drum. The method of adding diamonds is the most easily controllable method of tuning your djembe. A few diamonds may be added for subtle changes in the pitch or add several diamonds for greater pitch adjustment. Conversely, you can decrease the tension of the vertical ropes and thus the pitch of your djembe by removing the diamonds until the desired sound is achieved. If there is no excess rope on your drum, you can use rope from the handle or add tuning rope by attaching more rope to one of the vertical ropes.
Tuning instructions
In these instructions, we will be tuning the drum to the right (once you get the idea, you can tune your drum to the left if you are so inclined) 1. Pass the tuning rope (to the right) UNDER two vertical ropes. 2. Bring the rope back (to the left) OVER the second vertical rope and UNDER the first vertical rope. 3. Pull the rope (to the right) until the vertical ropes flip and create a diamond. 4. Repeat steps until desired sound is achieved.
Playing your djembe drum
Standing/Sitting position and posture
Sitting I find sitting to be the best way to play my djembe drum. Sit towards to front of a bench/or chair in an upright position. Cross your ankles. Place the drum between your legs and have the open bottom end of the drum rest behind your feet Make sure the end is open to allow the sound to serenade all that are within ear-shot. It is more relaxing and intimate when playing with multiple people and drum circles. It is certainly more conducive to pausing for minute to reach for you beverage of choice.
Standing The standing position while playing is mostly practiced by more experienced players and performers. It is more complicated simply because you will need an additional apparatus. You will need a harness, strap or stand of some sort to prop up the djembe. If using your person to prop up the drum then it may be cumbersome. But if you have a few dancing moves to accompany your drumming then standing has to be the option for you.
Relaxation
Make sure you are relaxed and stay relaxed.
If you are new to drumming, you will find that you sometimes have to consciously remind yourself to relax. Very soon relaxation will happen naturally and then you will have discovered the cheapest and most enjoyable therapy available mankind.
Let the rhythm flow from you and through the drum.
Get to know your djembe
Physics and phonics
The most important element of the djembe as it pertains to how it sounds, is the drum shell. The drum is inherently “tuned” by the physical shape of the drum and the material used to make the shell. The membrane (drum head) of the drum vibrates to produce sound waves. The larger part of the djembe drum is the resonant chamber which amplifies the sound and the port tube is essentially the tuning port. Given a similar Chamber, varying lengths of the port will result in appreciably different sounds particularly with the lower frequencies (bass). Also, flared versus straighter ports will produce different sounds but the differences will be less dramatic.
Safe and healthy drumming
Posture
Ensure that you are comfortable while drumming you find that you play better and for longer periods – to state the obvious.
Always take a moment before you start playing to make sure your hands can comfortably maneuver around the drum to produce the different notes.
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