Common Mistakes Made When Playing the Djembe Drum

Hand drums have become extremely popular over the last few years, both for use on stage and in informal settings like drum circles. The djembe drum has proven itself to be incredibly versatile in both scenarios. A few common mistakes exist that players often make when playing this or any other type of hand drum.

The djembe drum is a very good choice for players looking for a single drum to cover many different sounds. Many different styles of djembe drums are available to appeal different player's preferences. Some drums have synthetic heads and others have natural-skin heads. Each type of head has its own challenge. Synthetic head can get tuned too tight, causing a lot of "ring" and overtones that you don't want. With a natural head, the tones tend to be more "organic" and the drum produces fewer overtones. If the head gets over-tensioned, it can be tricky to down-tune it. The easiest way to avoid this is to tune the synthetic head a bit at a time and checking the tone as you go.

Another misconception is that as the drummer you should play louder, or that the bigger drums should be played louder. This is a common problem, but it isn't very considerate. If you go to a drum circle with a few people playing djembe drums you will probably notice all of the players pounding away and the volume steadily increasing. Djembe drums are capable of being very loud, but the beauty of the djembe is that you don't have to be the loudest to be heard.

Another issue that goes hand-in-hand with this problem is that players have a tendency to speed up as they play louder. The best way to avoid these two issues is to simply use your ears. If you can't hear the players around you, then you are probably too loud. Some people find it very helpful to close their eyes for better focus; after all, the drum won't go anywhere.

The djembe is a great drum, and it is easy to play, even for a beginner. However, just because it is easy to play doesn't mean that the basics should be ignored. Many casual players have a good time just pounding away without knowing how to coax the variety of sounds that are possible out of the drum, while other players take the time to learn the basics of where the tones are located and how to bring them out of the djembe. Knowing how to create the three basic tones on the djembe drum will allow you to play it like a symphony.

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Traditional rope tuning or modern key tuned Djembe?

By selecting purchase djembe drum, you need to know where the two main types you'd like to own as to how the djembe is tuned. There are two main systems of tuning for djembes-rope tuned, key tuned systems. Here is a brief description of each type of system and design:

Lina tuned

They are all tuned in traditional djembes from lin, in fact, this is the original form of the drum. Djembe rope tuned raised or lowered in pitch as the thin rope that spans the rim of the djembe. These ropes are suspended horizontally from a metal rings that hold the skin. There may be two or three rings around the head drum djembe, and these are usually thinner than key tuned drums.

When drummer wanted to tune this type of drum djembe, he pulls the rope in such a way as to make the nodes set up tensions, which collect the rings around the head drum closer. This increases the tension on the skin of the drum and to increase the pitch. The term "pulling a diamond" refers to the alignment of nodes to tune the drum. Waves of Mali is of type node is used in the rope drum tuning these systems.

Tuned key

Key tuned drums used in tuning the system for different and more modern. In this system, which are similar to systems used for conventional drums such as traps and Tom toms, bolts are tightened around the head of the djembe with the wrench. This in turn tightens the large metal housing around the head drum, which in turn calls the spring drum.

Screw tuning and General assemblage on key djembe tuned are quite bulky, and some believe that they are clumsy side. Remember that if you buy this type of djembe, which appears quite a lot of shiny metal and that it will be some added weight in comparison with a rope tuned djembe.

What tuning system you should choose?

The advantage of the system key is easily tuned to understand and implement. However, it is to the individual, many players feel that the advantages of the djembe generally stop there. Tuning rings for key system tuned is the spatial, and some believe that even you can get in terms of playing the instrument. However, others do not mind the hardware that comes with this system and appreciate the convenience of being able to tune the drum easily.

Djembes lina tuned are more authentic in that it is made, the manner in which djembes originally is carried out by West African Nations, such as the Mandika in times of antiquity. So you want to be true for this type of drum's Beginnings go with djembes lina tuned. The traditional type of djembes are slightly more involved to learn to tune correctly, but they are easy and convenient, however Palm after learning. Also, some believe that thinner rings rings and more unobtrusive placement also allow easier drumming. This on multiple levels, rope tuned djembes may be a better solution. Again, however, all this is in fact the drummer.

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