Drums: musical instruments
Playing the Drum
There are typically three types of drums, the bass drum, the tenor drum and side drum. They all consist of varying sizes and produce a range of sounds from deep tones to higher pitched sounds. Drums are usually struck with drum sticks or mallets, however, some drums are struck by hand.
Like any other instrument, Learning to play drums, like most any other instrument, can be hard to master. The student has to learn and practice the coordination of the drum beat. It can be tough at first to get your hands and feet to to do what you want them to do.
Sound Percussion Labs Junior Kicker 5-Piece Drum Set Black
Sound Percussion Labs Junior Kicker 5-Piece Drum Set
African D'jembe Drums
Djembe Drums
The origin of the name djembe comes from "Anke dje, anke be," - a Bamana language phrase which translates to "everyone gather together in peace".
The Bamana people are a West African ethnic group that are primarily located in southern Mali (once part of the Greater-Mande Mali Empire), however, they also live in Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. The Bamana Language, also known as Bambara, is a language spoken by more than 15 million people in West Africa, and is the national language of Mali. Bambara is also spoken in Côte-d'Ivoire, Gambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. However, Bambara is not widely spoken within Ghana.
A general overview of the djembe drum The djembe drum is a skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands. It is rope-tuned and is originally from West Africa.
The invention of the djembe drum
The djembe drum is believed to have been invented by the Mandinka people of West Africa in the 12th or 13th century by the Numu (a caste of blacksmiths among the Mandinka people). They would play the djembe while smelting iron ore. The djembe, along with its culture, spread into other parts of West Africa as the Numu migrated throughout West Africa. Hand-Carved Djembe Drum from GhanaPopularity and Uses of the djembe
The djembe is still made in Mali today and has become a staple of West African life. It is a large part of the daily life in Guinea, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. The djembe is used in ceremonies such as: celebrations like marriages, births, and deaths. It is used to mark the cycles of the moon and seasons such as the harvests. The djembe is also used by Healers to help calm patients.
The djembe has a powerful Spiritual significance which is used, in traditional African ceremonies, to create a sense of unity and community. The rhythmic beats provide therapeutic qualities that helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
The Inspiration for the djembe drum:
The blacksmiths received their inspiration for the djembe drum from the repetitive sound pattern of the women pounding grain in a mortar. The first phase of what came to be the djembe was a transformed mortar into a drum by piercing a hole in the bottom and covering it with animal skin. Later came the Custom-made djembe. They were made by the blacksmiths to fit the drummer who would play it, and the blacksmiths would make offerings to the spirits of the trees which they cut down to make the drums.From my own personal experiences, each drum has a different spirit. So, listen to several different drums to find the one that speaks to your spirit!
Recap and Conclusion
* The name "djembe" is derived from a phrase of the Bamana people: "Anke dje, anke be", which translates into English as; "everyone gather together".
* Traditionally, a djembe drum is carved from a single piece of hardwood which is then covered with an animal skin for the drumhead.
* The djembe gets its goblet shape due to the drum being made, originally, from a mortar which women used for pounding grain.
* The djembe, historically, is used in ceremonial life in the West African countries such as: Mali, Guinea, Côte-d'Ivoire, Gambia, and Senegal.
* Also note that in the Mali Empire, the djembe was played to announce the arrival of the king. It was also used as a form of long distance communication.
* Fodéba Keta, creater of the "Les Ballets Africains in 1952", brought the djembe to the attention of audiences outside of West Africa.
* Lessons on how to play the djembe were taught in the United States by Ladji Camara, a member of Les Ballets Africains, in the 1960s and 1970s.Africa Heartwood Project Hand-Carved Djembe Drum from Ghana - 13"x24" Authentic African Drum Circle Village Djembe - Solid Wood & Natural Goat Skin - Ready to Play Out of the Box Musical Instrument
Brand: Africa Heartwood Project; Material: Tweneboa Wood; Model Name: TD13V
AUTHENTIC HAND-CARVED QUALITY: Each djembe drum is meticulously hand-crafted in Ghana, Africa, by village cultural artisans, ensuring an original and unique musical instrument. Made from solid wood and adorned with traditional African carvings, this drum provides good sound quality and durability, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of West African music and craftsmanship.
PREMIUM NATURAL MATERIALS: Our djembe features a high-quality West African goat skin drumhead, known for its superior tone and resonance. The natural materials used ensure a a rich and vibrant sound, perfect for both beginners and intermediate drummers. This hand-carved drum promises longevity and an quality playing experience, making it an excellent addition to any musician's collection.
READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX: This djembe drum arrives fully tuned and ready for immediate use. Each drum is individually inspected, cleaned, and tuned by expert craftsmen to ensure optimal sound quality. This attention to detail means you can start playing right away, enjoying the vibrant tones and rhythmic possibilities of this exceptional instrument.
DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABILITY & QUALITY: The Drum Circle Djembe by Africa Heartwood Project offers an affordable, good-quality option for intermediate drummers seeking to play on an African-made djembe. Hand-carved in Ghana, these djembes are perfect for recreational rhythm-making and are an upgrade to those found in Ghanaian open-air markets. The standard full-size of 13"x24" ensures comfortable playing height and the full range of bass-tone-slap sounds.
SUPPORTS A CAUSE: Your purchase of this djembe helps support the efforts of Africa Heartwood Project. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your purchase contributes to a meaningful cause while enjoying this musical instrument. Each sale aids in providing essential resources and support to communities in need, making your musical experience both enjoyable and impactful.
Africa Heartwood Project Hand-Carved Djembe Drum from Ghana - 13"x24" Authentic African Drum Circle Village Djembe - Solid Wood & Natural Goat Skin - Ready to Play Out of the Box Musical Instrument
How the djembe is played
The djembe is played by striking the head in three different ways to produce different sounds:
* Bass a lowest-pitched sound that is produced by striking the center of the drum with a flat palm and a heavy hand.
* Tone is a medium-pitched sound that is produced by striking the edge of the drum's head with a flat hand while using the whole arm to propel the hand towards the drum.
* Slap The slap is the highest-pitched sound. It is produced by striking the edge drum's head with the top of the palm while allowing the fingers to rebound off the drum.When playing the djembe:
Sit with your legs wrapped around the drum and tilt it slightly forward. Find a comfortable position for your fingers. Then practice the basic patterns that combine the three main tones.Africa Heartwood Project Hand-Carved Djembe Drum from Africa - 9"x18" Classical Heartwood Djembe Musical Instrument (Random Carving) Solid Wood & Natural Goat Skin - Ready to Play Out of the Box
Brand: Africa Heartwood Project; Material: Mansonia wood; Model Name: Classical Heartwood Djembe Drum 9"x18"
HANDCRAFTED IN AFRICA: Each djembe drum is hand-carved by skilled artisans in Ghana who are trained by Africa Heartwood Project to ensure quality of craftsmanship and sound. Our methods preserve traditional drum building techniques passed down through generations, reflecting the rich rhythmic heritage of West Africa.
QUALITY MATERIALS & TRADITIONAL SOUND: Constructed from solid hand-carved wood and featuring natural West African goat skin drumheads, our djembes produce rich, resonant tones. The 9"x 18" size delivers high slaps and a full open tone as the base note, making it versatile enough to be played as a djembe, bongo, or dumbek.
READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX: We ensure every djembe drum is thoroughly cleaned, inspected, and tuned before it reaches you. Each drum is individually played to check for sound quality, guaranteeing it arrives ready to use. If needed, the drum can be easily tuned to suit your sound preferences.
VERSATILE & AESTHETICALLY PLEASING: Classical Heartwood Djembes are crafted not only for excellent sound quality and playability but also with a focus on aesthetic appeal. The 9"x 18" is a small size version of the real thing, capable of producing a full range of djembe sounds with surprisingly great volume and depth. The decorative carving feature geometric and traditional designs to enhances its visual appeal.
SUPPORTS A MEANINGFUL CAUSE: Your purchase of this djembe contributes to the efforts of Africa Heartwood Project's non-profit Village Water Projets and Orphan Support Programs. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your purchase supports to a meaningful cause while also enjoying an authentic connection with traditional African rhythmic culture. Every djembe supports the livelihoods of up to 30 African individuals and families who contributed to the making of a single drum.
Africa Heartwood Project Hand-Carved Djembe Drum from Africa - 9"x18" Classical Heartwood Djembe Musical Instrument (Random Carving) Solid Wood & Natural Goat Skin - Ready to Play Out of the BoxAmazon Associate Program: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
