The drums head is delicate and not designed to withstand the force or playing with sticks.

The beauty of playing with your hands is that you can control the pace and the depth of the sound perfectly.

But before you rush in, there are three basic notes you need to learn how to play. Master these, and you’ll be a champion drummer before you know it:

Bass

The basic note you need to know how to play is the bass. The bass is played in the centre of the drum, but some people prefer to play slightly off centre. This is the main note you will need to know how to play, as it is the basis for all performances and songs. To play this note, you simply hit the drum in the centre, pulling your hand away immediately.

Tone

The next note you’ll want to learn is called the tone. The tone is played with the underside of your fingers, and the joint where your fingers and hand join should be placed around the rim of the drum. To play this note correctly, all of your fingers should hit the skin at the same time. They must also be kept flat to play the note correctly.

Slap

Generally the most difficult note for beginners to master is the slap. With your hand and arm relaxed, hit the drum in a slap like motion. Keep your hand in a similar position to that of the tone, and hit the very rim of the drum. As your hand is more relaxed than when playing the tone, the sound produced is different.

This great video shows you, in great detail, how to play these three notes accurately:

Ashiko

Similar to the djembe, the conical shaped hand drum is popular in numerous African societies. Ashiko means “freedom” and is often playing during religious ceremonies, storytelling and initiations. The drums head is made of goat leather, while the body is made from a variety of hard woods.

Talking Drum

The Talking Drum or the ‘dundun’ is different from the djembe as it is played with a curved beater. This hourglass shaped drum is traditional slug over one shoulder, while tucked underneath the other. The talking drum gets its name from the variants in pitch when played, almost mimicking language tonality. Traditionally, this West African drum was used as a telegram in times of war or celebration.

Adondo

Adondo’s are a type of talking drum and also mimic the sound of talking. The adondo is played with a small stick or mallet, while the musician squeezes strings to alter the pitch and tone. This drum is traditionally playing during celebrations and funerals in its native African societies.

Bata

Played with either sticks or the hand, Bata is a set of three different sized drums. They vary from other drums from West Africa as they have two heads. Popular in Cuba, this drum is used in religious ceremonies across the region.

Ngoma

Used most commonly throughout central, eastern and southern Africa, the Ngoma is a popular drum for drumming circles and group performances. It is often played alongside three drums in order to vary the deep bass, sharp sounds and other tones that are produced.

Bougarabou

Originating from Gambi, the Bougarabou is a single, cylindrical shaped drum with only one head. Musicians often play wearing bracelets in order to enhance performances, by creating a richer, much more diverse sound.

With such a diverse range of drums, West Africa has had a huge influence on Western music. More and more people take up the djembe, or one of these other drums, all the time. Isn’t it time you learnt a great new skill?

Basic Notes

This first video demonstrates the five basic notes you need to know to start playing. This simple and informative video tells you all about how to position your hands when playing, and the most comfortable ways to hold the drum. Once you’ve mastered these tones and notes you’re well on the way to playing like a pro.

Increasing the Pace of Playing

The second video comes from a really informative series of videos that all beginners should follow from start to finish. This particular video teaches you how to increase the pace of your playing with a simple pattern.

Controlling Faster Rhythms

A really informal Vlog, this video will show how to play a fast but controlled rhythms. Easy to follow for beginners and intermediates, this video takes a no-nonsense approach to increasing the speed of your playing and mastering note patterns.

Adding the Finger Roll

Once you have mastered the tones and notes of your djembe, and have increased the speed with which you play, this video teaches you the next step. Adding a finger roll gives an extra dimension to your playing and shows off your new found skills.

Learning a Rhythm Pattern

After mastering all these notes and skills, the final video teaches you how to play a basic rhythm on your new djembe. This is one of many similar tutorials, so if it’s not for you make sure you search around until you find one that best suits your ability.

Once you’ve received your new djembe, following Internet tutorials is a great way to learn how to play – especially if there are no classes in your area. This new skill is extremely rewarding, and is one you can continue adding to, long after playing your first note.

In this post we’ve put together 5 great children’s percussion instruments that you can buy on our website:

Double Rattan Caxixi

Two heads are definitely better than one when it comes to this instrument. A pair of individually woven rattan caxixi are joined together by a looped handle. Each sound chamber is filled to the brim with beads which collide with each other and the sides of the instrument to make the instruments unique sound.

Beaded Coconut Maraca

Our Beaded Coconut Maraca is the ideal percussion instrument for children as it is simple to play, easy to store and not too noisy. The maraca has two unique layers of sound – the first coming from the beads inside, and the second coming from the Jentri beads wrapped around the outside.

Frog Caller

A great, novel and fun instrument is the Frog Caller. Shaped like the amphibian, this children’s percussion instrument is constructed in Sono wood with a hide skin. When your child pulls the handle, this quirky instrument replicates an authentic sounding frog call. Children can also swing the handle more vigorously to create a louder, rasping sound.

Rain Maker

Another great instrument your children can enjoy is the Rain Maker or the Rain Stick. As the name suggests, when slowly rotated the beads inside cascade down the tube and replicated the sound of falling rain.

5 Headed Maraca

Our final percussion instrument for children that is easy to play is the 5 Headed Maraca. This vibrant hand-held shaker features five heads (obviously!) attached to rattan sticks. Each head is decorated in traditional African colours and patterns, and is filled with an array of beads.

Simply shake the maraca in time with the beat and your child can add a whole new dimension to any musical performance. These light and playful instruments are perfect for young children as they’re so lightweight and extremely easy to play.

No matter how big your house, you can encourage your little ones to get creative with our great collection of children’s percussion instruments. Contact us today if you’re looking for anything specific and we’ll see what we can do!

There are several ways in which you can preserve your new djembe such as regular maintenance, storage and a little bit of common sense. This post will give you a few ideas of how you can keep your new instrument in pristine condition for years to come:

Detune

If your djembe is going to remain un-played for any length of time it’s a good idea to detune the drum. The constant tension on the skin will sometimes result in irreparable wear and damage to the drum head. By detuning the drum when it’s not in use, you could extend the life of the head and skin by up to 50%.

Storing Your Djembe

As well as making sure your djembe is only tuned when it use, you need to consider how you’re going to store it. In order to preserve the colour of the drum, the tension in the ropes and the quality of the skin, it’s advisable to store your drum in a cool dry place. As well as keeping your drum aesthetically pleasing, storing it in this way will help preserve the beautiful, natural sound of the instrument.

Cleaning Your Djembe

You may not realise it, but the skin of your drum can dry out and become dehydrated. This not only affects the quality of the sound, but leave it too long and the skin can crack and break. In order to stop this from happening, you should regularly apply a light covering of oil or lotion to the drum head.

Before you plaster the whole of the instrument in oil though, we’d advise testing a small amount of oil on a hidden part of the drum to make sure no discolouration occurs. However, if you purchased a synthetic or fibreglass djembe, they won’t benefit from this kind of care.

Djembe Accessories

Another really simple but effective way to store and care for your drum is with a fitted and padded djembe bag. These are great for protecting the instrument during storage and transportation. When purchasing a bag, ensure you have accurately measured the djembe to make sure it’s a snug fit.

If you’re joining a drumming circle, it would also be wise to invest in a djembe strap. This will help you carry the drum, and minimise scratches to the body and reduce the risk of dropping the heavy instrument.

Only Play With Your Hands

Our final tip is to only play your new drum with your hands. Unlike drum kits, the djembe head will not withstand the damage from aggressively playing with sticks. You simply tap out a gentle rhythm with your hands, and beat beautiful, authentic sounding notes.

By following these simple tips for caring for your new drum, you will be able to enjoy it for years to come. Investing in an instrument is something many families don’t take lightly, so it’s vital you look after your djembe in this way so it remains part of your family for a long time.

Music therapy is a fast growing field and has already been used to help people ranging from cancer patients to children with ADD. Music has also been shown to help ward off depression, reduce your blood pressure and ease pain and muscle tension.

But it’s not just people who are ill that can discover the benefits of music. Learning and listening to music can do wonders for everyone’s health:

Brain Waves

Research has shown that music with strong, changing beats can stimulate your brainwaves. A fast tempo increases concentration, while a slower one promotes a calm state of mind. Djembe drums are great for playing a whole host of different beat patterns, so are guaranteed to get your brain working.

Even after you’ve stopped listening or playing, the research showed that your brain becomes able to maintain speeds more easily on its own. This is a great long term benefit that playing and listening to music can bring.

State Of Mind

Learning to play an instrument and listening to music regularly can have a really positive impact on your state of mind. Music can help make you more positive and keep depression and anxiety at bay. We all know how bad stress is for our bodies, and creativity can help keep us all feeling much more positive.

Acquiring a new skill, such a learning to play a djembe also has a profound effect on your state of mind. As you get better and your confidence improves, you naturally feel better about yourself. The self pride that comes with playing an instrument certainly can’t be beat.

How Can I Get Started?

You don’t have to be a musical maestro to make the most of musical therapy. In fact, here at Djembe Drum Shop we sell a whole host of African Instruments that even the most novice of musicians can master.

Our range of hand-held djembes are really easy to play. You simply tap out the rhythm with your hands and as you improve you’ll be able to play different notes. Our fibreglass djembes also have their own unique sound so you can find the perfect drum for you.

We also stock a variety of percussion shakers, all of which are extremely easy to play. It doesn’t matter what you play, as long as you enjoy making music.

Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

What is a Drum Circle?

Drumming circles originate from West Africa, where entire communities would come together to play djembes, percussion shakers and other hand-held instruments. This extremely social form of music brought communities together and was a great way for people of all ages to bond.

Drum circles are made up of a group of people of all ages and abilities, playing hand drums and percussion shakers. They are all about having fun. No-one necessarily ‘leads’ and there is no set music to follow.

Ranging in size from a handful up to a hundred participants, you follow the beat at your own pace and play as and when you feel confident to. Drumming circles are a great way to get to know fellow djembe players in your local area.

Where Can I Find a Drum Circle?

It is really easy to join your local drumming circle, and there are loads of ways to get involved. Local church halls and community centres are a good start. Check out notice boards and ask around to see if anything is held there. You can also look online at forums and websites, to find out where any local drumming circles meet.

If you can’t find any, why not start your own? Place notices in local press, stores and community centres. Start of at someone’s house and as your troupe grows move into church halls and community centres.

What Do I Need to Get Started?

All you need to get started is a passion for music, a little enthusiasm and of course an instrument. You can choose to build the beat with a djembe drum. We sell a wide range of djembes in all sizes, so you can begin with a handheld djembe drum and move on to larger ones if you wish.

It is advisable to invest in a djembe strap if you’re planning on joining a drumming circle. The strap will add support when playing the larger drums and is also needed for carnivals and outdoor performances. A djembe bag is also a vital piece of kit as it helps you to safely and securely transport your drum to and from your drumming circle meetings.

If you’re not confident enough to play a djembe, we also have a large range of other African instruments for sale including rain makers and percussion shakers. All of these will add to the impact of your circle and are really easy to play.

If you’re looking to join a drumming circle, contact us today and we can kit you out with everything you need.

Cultural Awareness

An instrument like the djembe drum is steeped in cultural history and is a really easy way to teach your children all about other traditions and customs. Pronounced ‘jem-bay’, the drum originates from the Mali Empire of West Africa.

The djembe drum was originally used for ceremonial services, and motivating warriors into battle. Today, the drum is often used to unite communities and as a form of entertainment.  The djembe is West Africa’s most popular drum and is fast becoming the most popular hand drum in the world.

This makes for the perfect children’s musical instrument as they can learn all about this drums illustrious history whilst learning how to play.

Musicality

Learning to play the djembe Drum is also fun and simple way to become musical. It’s a great idea for young children to play a musical instrument and something like the djembe is perfect. Playing an instrument is a great way to make friends and learn team building skills in a fun and child-friendly way.

Learning one instrument often paves the way for a keen interest in music and is an easy way for children to mix with others and learn new life skills.

Co-ordination

Playing the drums is a great way for your child to improve their hand-eye coordination. The djembe drum makes for a great children’s musical instrument has it is easy to learn and will help improve their coordination no end.

An improved confidence and coordination can then result in your child taking up sports and other extracurricular activities. All of these will help give your child some great skills for later life.

Responsibility

Giving your child a musical instrument like the djembe is a great way to teach them to be responsible. By putting them completely in charge of the drum and its care, your child will learn the value of their possessions in the way most modern, electrical toys do not.

The djembe makes the perfect children’s musical instrument. Your child will not only have fun learning to play the instrument, but learns a whole host of valuable life lessons.

Other Types of Children’s Musical Instrument

As well as the djembe drum, we also sell a wide selection of exciting children’s musical instruments for your child or school.

Lightweight Djembe Bags

Our range of lightweight djembe bags are the perfect bag for the lighter, fibreglass djembes.  The backpack-style bag lets you carry your drum around with ease.

This range is made from traditional, colourful Bogolan cloth. The patterns are inspired by the traditional West African mudcloth and are the perfect companion for our fibreglass and jammer series djembes.

Padded Djembe Bags

Our range of padded djembe bags help keep even our wooden drums safe and secure. With dense padding, fur lining and a unique 3 zip system, these backpack

style carry cases keep you djembe safe from all the elements.

The padded, heavy duty shoulder straps make carrying even the heaviest hardwood djembes easy and comfortable.

How Do I Find The Right Djembe Bag For My Drum?

If you are looking to purchase one of our djembe bags, please be sure to accurately measure your drum. The outer dimensions of the top diameter, base diameter and height of the drum will help you pick the right sized bag for your drum.

Our full range will help protect your djembe from changing weather conditions and help stop damage to the wood.

How Else Can I Protect My Djembe?

There are loads of ways you can make sure your drum stays as good as new. Here are a few simple ways to look after your djembe:

• Only play with your hands – sticks and mallets will damage the head
• Be careful with it – try not to hit it on doorframes, walls etc
• Don’t expose the goat skin drum head to rain – if it does get wet, don’t use a hairdryer on it
• Use spray furniture wax and a soft cloth to gently clean your drum
• Play often!

View our full range of accessories to find the perfect djembe bag for you. Make sure you watch this video for all you need to know about djembe bags and hats:

Our economy djembe drum pack is ideal for primary schools. It contains a great range of drums and is excellent value for money. Suitable for 11 players, the economy pack includes:

• 4 x 5″ handheld djembes
• 3 x 5.5″ medium handheld djembes
• 2 x 6.5″ large handheld djembes
• 2 x 8″ Jammer djembe

Our much larger Mixed Percussion Pack is suitable for 40 players so is perfect for larger schools or percussion groups. With a range of instruments, musicians of all abilities can enjoy playing these traditional African instruments. This pack includes:

The most expensive of our school percussion packs is the Large Drum Pack. This pack is suitable for more experienced musicians or older children and is perfect for creating a wonderfully traditional African sound. This pack is for 24 players and consists of:

• 1 x Sangban
• 1 x Kenkeni
• 6 x Jammer Djembe 8″
• 6 x Jammer Djembe 9.5″
• 1 x Gourd Shekere
• 2 x Jammer Djembe 12″
• 4 x Caxixi
• 3 x Gourd Sheker

If you’re a teacher looking for a school percussion pack, you need look no further than Djembe Drum Shop.