Drums, Percussion and Drum Lessons

"A good drummer listens as much as he plays." ~ Indian Proverb

Percussion Store     Drummers     Drum Lessons     Drumming FAQs

Testimonials     Guarantees & Policies     International Shipping

 

Listen to Jazz!

gift ideas

Conga   conga drum

Djembe    Gong

Drum

 Paiste Gong

Drums & Percussion

Percussion Store

Drum Sets & Cymbals

 Drum Sets

Cymbals, Hardware & Accessories

Latin Percussion

LP Drums & Percussion

Congas

Bongos

Batas

Brazilian Percussion

Cajons

Chimes

Djembes

Timbales

Tambora

Udu

LP Hardware, Accessories & Replacement Parts

Hardware, Accessories & Parts

Bags and Cases

Heads & Skins

Rims

Stands

Side Plates

Tuning Lugs

Middle-East Drums & Percussion

Doumbeks & Darbukas

Alexandria Aluminum Doumbeks

Soloist Doumbeks

Mother of Pearl Doumbeks

Copper Pro Turkish Darbuka

Ceramic Doumbeks

Brass Darbuka

Doumbek & Darbuka Bag

African Drums & Accessories

African Drums & Accessories

Chinese & Eastern Drums & Percussion

Gongs

Paiste Gongs

Sabian Gongs

 Wuhan Gongs

Singing Bowls

Gong Mallets

Gong Stands

Gong Bags

Gong Videos

Taiko Drums

Tablas, Accessories & Parts

Irish Drums & Percussion

 Bodhrans & Frame Drums  

Orchestra Bells & Chimes

Bells

Chimes

Drum & Percussion Hardware

Hardware & Accessories

Gibraltar Hardware

LP Replacement Parts & Hardware

Conga Drum

History of Djembe Drum

Djembe History & Playing Styles

The Djembe is named from the Djem tree, which is largely found in Mali was used originally used in the making of Djembe shells.   The  In the Djembe creation process the shell would be carved in one piece, in the shape of a goblet, with two open ends out of a significant section of a Djem tree.   On the larger open end a animal (typically Goat) skin was then stretched the top and secured by a special tightening process using rope.  The process hasn't changed too much today, except many djembes, such as the LP Djembes use lugs rather than rope for tightening.  Nonetheless, more traditional rope tuned Djembes are still popular and are outstanding instruments.
The traditional African way to play the Djembe is by standing.  A should harness strap helps support the drum and the lower portion of the drum rests between the legs.   Sometimes the strap is even wrapped around the players waist.  Both hands are used to play the Djembe but the legs are also important for balancing and controlling the instrument.   The Djembe is played in countries around the globe now.  It is also common to play Djembe while sitting down.  The players legs wrap around or 'hug' the shell for control but the should harness is not typically used or necessary for the sitting position.  
The Djembe produces a range of percussive sounds.  This enables the Djembe to be used effectively as a bass drum or solo instrument.  It may have the widest range of tones of all hand drums.  Its healing power is complimented by it's power to make people dance.  Both it's healing and dancing powers are admired and practiced by drummers from Africa and around the globe.  

Djembe Drum History - History of Djembe & playing styles

 

History of Drums & Percussion Instruments

Djembes

LP Djembes