The djembe drum, with its rich history and vibrant sound, has captured the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide. Originating from West Africa, specifically regions like Guinea, Mali, and the Ivory Coast, this goblet – shaped drum has been an integral part of cultural ceremonies, celebrations, and storytelling for centuries. Its unique construction and the ability to produce a wide range of tones make it a fascinating instrument to learn. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to start playing the djembe, from understanding its anatomy to mastering basic and advanced playing techniques.
Anatomy of the Djembe Drum
The Shell
The djembe shell is traditionally carved from a single piece of hardwood. The type of wood used can affect the sound of the drum. For example, African hardwoods like Siamang or Jackfruit are popular choices. The shell is shaped like a goblet, which is not just for aesthetic reasons. This shape allows for easy playing while sitting down and also contributes to the drum’s resonance. The smoothness of the shell’s interior can also impact the sound, with a well – carved interior helping the sound to project better.
The Head
The head of the djembe is typically made from goat or cow skin. In traditional construction, the skin is stretched over the top of the shell and secured. The tension of the head is crucial for tuning the drum. A tighter head will produce higher – pitched sounds, while a looser head will result in lower – pitched tones. The quality of the skin also matters. A good – quality skin will be more durable and produce a clearer sound.
The Ropes
The ropes on a djembe serve two main purposes. First, they are used to stretch and tighten the skin over the shell, which is essential for tuning. Second, they provide a way to carry and hold the drum. The ropes are usually made from natural materials like cotton or hemp. Higher – quality ropes are less likely to stretch or break, ensuring that your drum stays in tune for longer.
Different Types and Sizes
Djembe drums come in various sizes, and each size has its own unique sound characteristics.
Small Djembes
Smaller djembes, often with a diameter of around 10 inches, produce higher – pitched sounds. They are great for playing quick, intricate rhythms and are more portable, making them a good choice for beginners who may want to practice on the go or for those who prefer a lighter – sounding drum.
Medium Djembes
Medium – sized djembes, with a diameter of about 12 inches, are the most common. They offer a balanced sound, capable of producing both deep bass tones and higher – pitched slaps. This versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of musical styles and playing situations.
Large Djembes
Large djembes, typically 14 inches or more in diameter, produce very deep and resonant bass sounds. They are often used in large – scale performances or in ensembles where a strong, low – end foundation is needed. However, they can be heavier and more difficult to handle for some players, especially beginners.
Playing Positions
Sitting Position
The sitting position is one of the most common ways to play the djembe.
Choosing the Right Chair: Sit on the front edge of a chair. The chair should be at a height where your legs can comfortably grip the sides of the drum. Avoid using a chair that is too low or too high, as this can affect your posture and playing technique.
Positioning the Drum: Place the djembe between your legs. Use your knees to grip the sides of the drum gently but firmly. Tilt the djembe away from your body at an angle of about 10 – 20 degrees. This angle allows the sound to project properly as the bottom of the drum is open. Some players like to use their feet to hold the base of the drum for added stability, but make sure not to lift the drum completely off the floor. Lifting the drum while striking can cause it to slip and potentially damage the drum.
Maintaining Posture: Keep your back straight but relaxed. Avoid slouching or arching your lower back. Sit up tall from your hips, and keep your shoulders relaxed and down. Good posture not only helps prevent fatigue and injury but also allows you to produce better sound quality. You can also consider using a waist strap to keep the drum in place, especially if you find it difficult to hold the drum steady with just your legs.
Standing Position
Using a Stand: If you choose to play the djembe while standing, you will need a djembe stand. The stand should be adjustable to the right height for you. The height should be such that the drum is at a comfortable playing level, usually around waist – height.
Positioning the Drum on the Stand: Place the djembe on the stand and adjust the angle so that it is tilted slightly away from you, similar to the sitting position. Make sure the drum is securely fastened to the stand to prevent it from falling.
Body Posture: Stand with your feet shoulder – width apart. Keep your back straight, and your shoulders relaxed. Your arms should be able to move freely to strike the drum. When standing, you have more freedom to move around and add a dynamic element to your playing, especially in performances.
Basic Playing Strokes
Bass Stroke
Hand Placement: To execute the bass stroke, place your hand at the center of the drumhead. Your entire hand should be inside the rim of the drum. The hand should have a degree of firmness, not too rigid but also not too loose.
Striking Motion: The goal is to bounce your whole hand off the skin without creating too much of a slapping sound. When struck correctly, the tone will resonate out from the bottom of the drum. You don’t need to hit the skin very hard. The right – hand bass note is often called ‘gun’, and the left – hand bass note is called ‘dun’ in traditional djembe terminology.
Practice Tips: Start by practicing slowly, focusing on the feel of the bounce. Try different levels of hand firmness to find what works best for you. Only one hand should be on the skin at a time when practicing the bass stroke.
Edge Tones (Tone Stroke)
Hand Placement: Move your hands towards the edge of the drum where your hands are lined up at the rim of the djembe closest to your body. Slide your hands towards you until your knuckles just come off the drum. The remaining pads of your fingers should be held over the drumhead.
Striking Motion: Strike the drumhead at the edge with the pads of your fingers. You can produce a ringing tone by either making your finger pads hit the skin very evenly or by striking the skin at more of an angle. The right – hand stroke for edge tones is called ‘go’, and the left – hand stroke is called ‘do’.
Practice Tips: Experiment with different finger – pad angles and pressures to create different tonal variations. Practice these strokes in combination with the bass strokes to start creating simple rhythms.
Slap Tones
Hand Placement: The slap tones are played near the edge of the drum. Position your knuckle line over the rim of the djembe, with your hand falling onto the playing surface. Relax your hand so that there is a little pocket of space between the drumhead and your hand. Your fingertips should almost reach the middle of the drum, and your palms should fall over the rim of the djembe.
Striking Motion: Your hand should bounce off the drumhead so that the fingertip pads flick quite sharply on and off the surface with a slap. The pocket of space under the palm gives the tone a hollow sound, and the flicking action produces a sharp – sounding tone. The reach of the fingertips towards the center of the djembe provides the lower tones. The right – hand slap stroke is called ‘pa’, and the left – hand slap stroke is called ‘ta’.
Practice Tips: This stroke requires some practice to get the right combination of hand positioning and flicking motion. Start slowly, focusing on getting the sharp slap sound. As you get more comfortable, you can increase the speed and incorporate slap tones into more complex rhythms.
Basic Djembe Rhythms to Practice
Bass and Tone Rhythm
Pattern: Start with a low – pitched bass sound (produced by the bass stroke) followed by a higher – pitched tone (produced by the edge tone stroke). For example, you could play a sequence of ‘gun – go’ or ‘dun – do’.
Practice Method: Repeat this pattern slowly at first, focusing on the transition between the two strokes. Try to make the rhythm smooth and even. As you get more comfortable, you can increase the speed.
Benefits: This basic rhythm helps you get used to switching between different strokes and lays the foundation for more complex rhythms.
Slap Rhythm
Pattern: Focus on achieving a sharp, high – pitched sound by striking the drumhead with your fingers using the slap stroke. You can create a simple pattern like ‘pa – ta – pa – ta’ or vary the sequence.
Practice Method: Practice the slap rhythm in isolation to improve your technique. Pay attention to the sharpness of the sound and the consistency of your strokes.
Benefits: Mastering the slap rhythm adds a bright and energetic element to your playing and is an important part of many djembe rhythms.
Call and Response Rhythm
Pattern: Play a simple rhythmic pattern (for example, a combination of bass, tone, and slap strokes) as the ‘call’. Then, respond to it with a different pattern. For instance, if your call is ‘gun – go – pa’, your response could be ‘dun – do – ta’.
Practice Method: This rhythm is great for developing your creativity and improvisation skills. You can practice with a partner, taking turns being the caller and the responder, or practice on your own by coming up with different call – response pairs.
Benefits: Call and response rhythms are a fundamental part of African drumming traditions and help you develop a sense of musical conversation and interaction.
Advanced Djembe Drumming Techniques
Solo Improvisation
Technique: Once you are comfortable with the basic strokes and rhythms, you can start experimenting with solo improvisation. This involves creating your own rhythms on the spot. Listen to the sounds you are producing and let your creativity flow. You can vary the speed, intensity, and combination of strokes to create unique musical phrases.
Practice Method: Start by improvising for short periods, maybe 30 seconds to a minute. As you get more confident, increase the length of your improvisations. You can also record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Benefits: Solo improvisation allows you to express your musical personality and develop your own style of playing. It also helps improve your musical memory and quick thinking.
Incorporating Flams and Rolls
Flam Technique: A flam is a drumming technique where you strike the drum with both hands nearly simultaneously. The main stroke is followed closely by a lighter stroke from the other hand. For example, you could start with a bass stroke on the right hand and then quickly follow it with a light edge – tone stroke on the left hand. This adds a bit of emphasis and complexity to your rhythm.
Roll Technique: Rolls involve repeated striking of the drum in rapid succession. You can start with simple single – handed rolls, where you quickly strike the drum with one hand multiple times. As you get more advanced, you can try double – handed rolls. To execute a roll, you need to have a quick and coordinated movement of your hands.
Practice Method: Practice flams and rolls slowly at first, focusing on the timing and coordination of your hands. Start with simple patterns and gradually increase the complexity. You can incorporate these techniques into your existing rhythms to add more variation.
Benefits: Flams and rolls add a new dimension to your playing, making your rhythms more interesting and dynamic. They are often used in more advanced drumming styles to create a fuller sound.
Polyrhythms
Understanding Polyrhythms: Polyrhythms involve playing multiple rhythms simultaneously. In djembe drumming, this could mean playing one rhythm with your right hand and a different rhythm with your left hand. For example, your right hand could play a bass – tone – bass – tone pattern while your left hand plays a slap – slap – tone – slap pattern.
Practice Method: Start with simple polyrhythmic patterns. Practice each hand’s rhythm separately until you are comfortable with them. Then, try playing them together. It may take some time to coordinate your hands, but with practice, you will be able to create rich and intricate sounds.
Benefits: Polyrhythms are a characteristic feature of African drumming and add a complex and engaging element to your playing. They challenge your brain to think in multiple rhythmic patterns at the same time, improving your musical coordination and understanding.
Accompaniment Techniques
Playing with Other Instruments or Dancers: When accompanying other instruments or dancers, you need to be aware of the overall musical context. You can vary the dynamics (loudness and softness) of your playing, add accents at appropriate moments, and adjust your rhythms to complement the other elements. For example, if a dancer is performing a fast – paced movement, you might play more energetic and quick rhythms.
Practice Method: Practice playing with recordings of other instruments or with live musicians. Pay attention to how your playing interacts with theirs. Try different variations of dynamics and rhythms to find what works best in different musical situations.
Benefits: Accompaniment techniques make you a more versatile drummer. You learn to be a team player in a musical ensemble and enhance the overall musical experience for everyone involved.
Tips for Beginners
Posture and Comfort
Maintaining proper posture is crucial. Whether sitting or standing, keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and your body in a comfortable position. This not only helps prevent injury but also allows you to play more efficiently. If you feel any discomfort or pain while playing, stop and adjust your posture.
Starting Slow
Don’t rush to play complex rhythms right away. Start with the basic strokes and rhythms and practice them slowly. Focus on getting the technique right, the sound clear, and the rhythm even. As you gain more confidence and proficiency, you can gradually increase the speed and complexity of your playing.
Using a Metronome
A metronome is a great tool for beginners. It helps you keep a steady rhythm while practicing. Set the metronome to a slow tempo and practice your basic rhythms along with it. As you improve, you can gradually increase the speed of the metronome. This will help you develop a strong sense of timing.
Finding a Community or Teacher
Consider finding a local drumming group or a teacher. Playing with other drummers can be inspiring and help you learn from their experiences. A teacher can provide personalized feedback, correct your technique, and guide you through the learning process more effectively. You can also join online drumming communities where you can share your progress, ask questions, and get advice from other djembe players.
Conclusion
Learning to play the djembe drum is a rewarding journey that allows you to connect with a rich cultural heritage and express your creativity through music. By understanding the anatomy of the drum, mastering basic and advanced playing techniques, and practicing regularly, you can become proficient in playing this unique instrument. Remember to have fun, be patient with yourself, and let the rhythm guide you. Whether you’re playing in a drum circle, accompanying other musicians, or performing solo, the djembe has the power to bring people together and create beautiful music. So, pick up your djembe, start practicing, and let the music flow!
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