Nothing represents African music more than percussion instruments. They are a ubiquitous presence in every special occasion within an African community. In ancient times, African music served as a way to bring people together, with social gatherings, meetings, and ritual events often accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of percussion instruments. Here are some African percussion instruments that you are likely to encounter in any part of the community.
The Djembe Drum
The djembe drum is easily recognizable by its animal skin-covered head. It has a wider top half and a slimmer lower half, resembling a goblet. Traditionally, the body is made from a hollowed-out log to enhance its acoustic properties. The drumhead is tightened using ropes, although modern variations may use steel hoops, nylon core ropes, and rubbers for tuning. The djembe serves as the centerpiece of the percussion section, producing different tones and rhythms depending on its size and style. It is played by striking the drumhead with fingers or hands to create a range of tones.
Udu
The “udu” is a clay vessel that was originally used for drinking. This percussion instrument produces sound through an additional hole located on its body. The sound it produces is similar to that of a glass bottle. To create sound, one hand covers the top hole while the other hand manipulates the other hole. This allows for the production of various tones.
Slit Drums
Another popular African percussion instrument is the slit drum. This drum is typically made from hollowed-out or carved wood to create a resonating chamber. It can also be made from logs or bamboo. The drum is struck either by hand or mallets. Similar to the udu, the slit drum produces a variety of tones.
Double Bells
Double bells consist of two metallic bells forged together to resemble a horseshoe shape. These percussion instruments are played using mallets to produce two distinct sounds. In African percussion, double bells are often used to mark beats and maintain the rhythm for other percussion players.
In addition to these four instruments, Africans also utilize hand-shakers, wooden xylophones, and lamellophones (finger pianos) among other percussion instruments. These instruments further contribute to the rich and diverse musical landscape of African culture.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME