Djembe Recommendations?

March 28, 2009 10:03 AM

I want to learn to play the djembe. What should I buy, and where can I find some good learning resources?

So I've been a drummer for a few years now, but up to this point all I've played is a standard drumset. I'm wanting to branch out and learn something new, and the djembe caught my eye because it'd give me something much more portable than the full drumset. The problem is, I don't have a clue what to buy, in terms of manufacturer, size, and price point. I also don't really know where to go to learn how to play the thing.

So, what would you guys recommend as far as what I should buy? I don't really want to spend too much (under $100 would be great) for now...if I really take a liking to it, I'll probably buy a more expensive one later. I just want to learn for now. And, I see there are several different sizes, so I don't really know what the difference is or which one I should go with. Specific product recommendations would be great.

And, where should I go to learn how to play it? I'm sure I can just beat on it for a while to figure out how to make the different sounds, but I definitely want to find some learning resources specific to the djembe. What would you all suggest?

Thanks for the help!

posted by DMan to media & arts (7 comments total)

Well, smaller drums are going to have a higher tone/less bass than larger drums. You probably want something with a 11" or 13" head, especially if your hands are on the larger side.

If your budget were higher, I'd say you should buy one of the djembes my husband makes. :) But since it's lower, I'd suggest looking at the Mother Rhythm website. The "Ruby Geometric Pro" on his homepage is a really nice drum & has great sound. $129 including a bag is a great deal on it, too. His Tribal Faces djembes are beautiful.

A lot of cheaper djembes you'll find either have poor quality rope that stretches too much (so you have to keep re-tuning it) or the shell isn't carved very well, so the sound isn't great.

There are classes & teachers all over. Where are you located?
posted by belladonna at 10:22 AM on March 28

You'll probably need a pair of percussion pants.
posted by Aquaman at 10:55 AM on March 28 [1 favorite]

any djembe you buy for $100 is going to be small and/or used.

the Remo djembes are nice, though maybe a bit out of your price range. maybe you could find a used one. not the same as a playing a hand-made djembe with a natural head, but they are VERY snappy, have a tons of sound and are easy to adjust.

i bought an african-made djembe at a music festival many many years ago. it still plays great. tightening and/or re-skinning the head is a serious bitch. i'd recommend you look for a teacher in your area...they'd be a great resource and could probably direct you to a good place to buy one.

and check out some Doudou Ndiaye Rose. (not all djembes, but still amazing, and a great inspiration.)
posted by gnutron at 11:18 AM on March 28

My personal opinion:

You want a real goatskin djembe, not a synthetic Remo or something like that. Africa is preferable to Indonesia. And $100 probably isn't enough for anything playable. $200 is probably closer.

(That said, you shouldn't worry too terribly much about quality on your first drum: it's actually somewhat helpful to learn on a somewhat lower-quality drum, because it will force you to work harder for your intonation. Then when you do make the switch to a really good one, you'll sound awesome.)

As for where to learn: find a local class; djembe is meant to be played as part of a group.
posted by ook at 11:24 AM on March 28

any djembe you buy for $100 is going to be small and/or used.

I disagree. My first djembe was bought for 100$, but I had to go out of the city for it (in my case, I was in Toronto but bought it from an arts and crafts store in some tiny town in Northern Ontario). It was great and quite large and Indonesian-inspired.

As for learning, I taught myself. Like you, I was a drumset player for years and decided to branch out. At the time I had never really been into electronic music but I started buying house and techno cds to play along to. They're very simple, very repetitive, and the tempo is constant.

What I always tell people who are trying hand drumming for the first time is to think of the center of the drum as the bass, and the rim as the snare.
posted by mannequito at 11:38 AM on March 28

I first started playing hand-drums in a drum circle (not djembe, but djun-djuns, the bass drums). Most drum circles I've been to are welcoming and suitable for any skill level. According to the
Drum Circles network there is (or was) a drum circle near you on Saturdays at 10pm, called Rhythm Method drum circle at Hub City Burrito Company, Lubbock, TX (806-745-5832).
Most of the hand-drummers I know have more than one djembe because if the goatskin head rips, it takes a small block of time to put on a new head. So....maybe someone you meet at a drum circle will sell you a used one, show you how to tighten/loosen the head, and share a few basic techniques. A good used goatskin djembe is MUCH better than a brand new synth-headed djembe. Plus, nearly every hand-drummer I've ever met LOVES to share knowledge. And to second ook, djembe is best played with others. Lastly, don't feel obliged to stick with traditional african rhythms. Learn the voices of you djembe and play whatever you groove on. Have fun!
posted by Jezebella at 6:00 PM on March 28

Where do you live? Are there any West Africans there? FIND THEM. They will likely be able to steer you to the serious Djembe drummers in your area.

Good Luck.
posted by StUdIoGeEk at 6:06 PM on March 29