Djembe Drum Buying Guide

No comments yet - Check Manuel Career's News! --> Manuel Marino Official <--

Article by Kristin Royce

When preparing to buy a Djembe drums, it’s important to determine the type of sound you’re looking for before you start shopping. After reading the information below, you’ll be able to make a clear and confident decision.

Types of djembe drums

The djembe drum originated in West Africa, where it was used in ceremonial dances and sometimes even as a means of communicating over long distances. All djembe drums are the same basic shape, and resemble huge goblets, with a relatively slim base widening out to a large drumhead. A typical djembe drum is around 24 inches in height with a drumhead diameter of around 12 to 14 inches across, but these sizes do vary considerably. The drumhead is traditionally tightened with a system of ropes, although modern drums occasionally employ key tuning.

The shape and size of the drum is important; the distinctive “goblet” form makes a djembe drum into a large resonating chamber and gives the drum its distinctive deep bass note. Too small and the bass will be too high-pitched, too large and it will be impossible to hear. The sound quality is also affected by the interior of the drum. Traditional djembe drums are not totally smooth on the inside, but have special patterning or indentations carved into the interior, which enhances the tonal quality of the drum.

Materials used to construct a djembe drum

Djembe drums are traditionally carved from a single piece of solid African hardwood. African mahogany, iroko, and lenge wood are all excellent materials to use in this regard; Siam oak is a common substitute for drums made outside Africa. The hardness of the wood is important; it allows the shell of the djembe drum to be quite thin, which in turn improves the resonance and sound quality of the drum. Djembe drums made from softer woods are generally inferior.

In addition, modern djembe drums can be made of synthetic materials such as Acousticon, which replicate the strength and timbre of a traditional hardwood djembe drum surprisingly well. The drumskin on a djembe is commonly made of goatskin, though other animal skins are also used; African goatskin is said to provide a distinctive sound. Nowadays, djembe drumheads can also be made from synthetic materials, and these are excellent substitutes.

Three top Manufacturers of djembe drums

X8 Drums recommends these three manufacturers of djembe drums based on sound quality, durability and variety: Tycoon Percussion Djembes (most popular line being the Tycoon Fantasy Series Djembe), Remo Crown Percussion, and Mid East Ethnic Instruments (specializing in hand-carved African Djembe drums).

Find a djembe that will fit any player’s needs at X8drums.com. Specializing in African djembes for the professional percussionist looking for full tonal quality and a beautifully constructed hand drum.

LAUS DEO SEMPER www.CobusPotgieter.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com TWITTER: www.twitter.com ______________________________ 30 Seconds To Mars – Vox Populi (aka Call To Arms) from their 2009 release “This Is War” is the copyrighted property of its owner(s). itunes.apple.com This cover was recorded between 30 August 2010 and 1 September 2010 as part of The Fuego Series, released early 2011. NO drum replacement or triggering was done in this series, what you hear is just a mixed version of a 100% acoustically produced track. ______________________________ Whattt an epic song! Sheesh. I find that the covers people respond to most are the most sincere and passionate ones, regardless of any other external factors. I absolutely LOVE this song, and apart from the very “new-age” message, This Is War is a melodically monstrous album. Increeeedibly fun and expressive songs to play along to. An interesting note.. we reskinned the kit right before we started recording, so the skins naturally went out of tune a little, and we had to keep an eye (ear?) on them. The snare, on the other hand, completely went out of tune towards the end of No More Sorrow (which was recorded right before this) and we only noticed it at the end of the recording of Vox Populi. This was a huge problem since I was too tired to try and “replicate” my first REAL performance, but since I’ve mixed MUCHHH worse recorded audio, I was brave enough to give it a go That’s why this snare tone is completely different …
Video Rating: 4 / 5

More Drums Articles

Posted by Manuel Marino | Filed Under Drums

Tags: .com, Djembe, Djembe drum, djembe drums, drum, drums, Facebook, goatskin, height, information, interior, Mid, piece, Remo, right, shell, sound quality, substitute, timbre, turn, Twitter, type, Types, Vox, wood

country radio

Name

Email

Website

Cancel reply

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

You can add a link to follow you on twitter if you put your username in this box. Only needs to be added once (unless you change your username). No http or @:

This blog uses premium CommentLuv which allows you to put your keywords with your name if you have had 3 approved comments. Use your real name and then @ your keywords (maximum of 3)