Posts Tagged ‘percussion’

Do Djembe Drums Make Good Children’s Musical Instruments?

January 12th, 2012

Whether at school or at home, children’s musical instruments are a great way to enrich the lives of your kids and teach them a few things along the way. Playing an instrument can help your child learn in a fun and exciting new way. A djembe drum is a great way to get your their creative juices flowing.

Children's Small Handheld DjembesCultural 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.

MusicalityChildren's Ratten Double Caxixi

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.

Child's 5 Headed MaracaCo-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.

ResponsibilityChild's Jammer Djembe

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.

Why Choose a West African Drum

July 12th, 2011

West African drums have been growing in popularity in the UK in recent times. The beautiful, earthy sound is unlike anything else and is a favourite amongst drumming circles and school percussion groups.

Handheld West African DrumsThe drum is one of the oldest and most popular musical instruments in the world. Used by various communities and cultures for a multitude of ceremonies and celebrations, drums are also famously very noisy.

It is this that has made drums an increasingly popular choice of musical instruments amongst children and teenagers. If you’re looking for an alternative to a drum kit, why not consider a West African drum from Djembe Drum Shop?

These drums, djembes in particular, are a great alternative to the large and expensive drum kits. These compact and affordable instruments can be tidied away and take up little room in a bedroom or lounge.

They have a much nicer sound too. Even when your child is learning or playing alone, West African drums have a unique and glorious sound. A djembe drum will bring the carnival spirit into any home. This type of drum is fast becoming the most popular hand drum in the world.

What Are The Other Benefits of a West African Drum?West African Maracas

A drum such as a djembe is a great introduction into playing a musical instrument. Your children can slowly learn the art of playing the djembe as well as increasing their hand-eye coordination. Djembe drums are also a great way to teach your children about other cultures and give them a sense of responsibility.

West African drums and instruments such as percussion shakers and rain sticks are also a great way to get your children involved in drumming circles or school. This is a great way to encourage team building and friendship amongst children. It’s also a great way to meet people you wouldn’t normally.

What Are The Most Popular West African Drums?

The djembe is the most common and well known West African Drum but there are a whole host of other drums of all shapes and sizes to choose from:

  • Bougarabou Africa – traditional drum from the Jola people of Senegal often has a softer deeper tone than the djembe
  • Bougarabou Tribal – has a rich warm and very loud tone.
  • Dundun Range – played with a drumstick and open hand these drums have a rich booming tone

We have a great selection of West Africa drums and instruments to choose from, contact us today to see what we can do for you.

Other African Instruments for sale

June 1st, 2011

As well as the djembe drum, we also have a whole host of African Instruments for sale. Africa is famous for its colourful instruments and heart warming music. Snapping up one of these authentic instruments for your school or band is guaranteed to bring the warm feel of Africa to even the most traditional of bands.

African Instrument Beaded Coconut MaracaPercussion Shakers

Our African Instruments range contains two types of percussion shakers. The lightweight 5 Headed Maraca is a vibrant sounding instrument consisting of 5 synthetic sound chambers bound to a rattan and bamboo handle. The Maraca is decorated in a traditional painted pattern and is topped with Jentri Beads for added decoration. This instrument has a light an playful sound and is perfect for schools and beginners.

Our Beaded Coconut Maraca is a high quality maraca constructed in coconut and sustainable teak wood handle. The bead filled maraca is also covered in a string mesh threaded with Jentri beads which bang and scrape the coconut sound chamber when played adding a second layer of sound to the traditional maraca.

African Instrument Rain MakerRain Makers

The Rain Maker, or Rainstick is an essential part of any percussion set. A favourite amongst children and schools, the Rainstick’s amazing unique sound stimulates the sound of falling rain. You don’t need any music ability to make fabulous music with one of these.

The Rain Maker is made of bamboo and is covered in either blue or red cloth with a rattan lattice. At 100cm or 39”, anyone can play the play weatherman with the Rain Maker.

African Instrument Carved and Painted DidgeridooDidgeridoo

The Didgeridoo may not be an African instrument but it certainly makes for a colourful addition to any percussion band.  Traditionally played by the Aboriginal people of Australia, these instruments are recreated in mature bamboo.

They are easy to learn and fun to play making them a very popular item, especially when combined with the Carry Case and Instructional book to make a package offer. We stock a ‘Carved’ and a ‘Carved and Painted’ Didgeridoo so there is one for every pocket.

The Next Step

If that’s given you the musical bug and you would like to try out any of our African instruments, contact us for free today.

Gil Sharone: Cape Breton International Drum Fest

March 15th, 2009

An awesome clip of Gil doing his thing. :]]

Duration : 0:3:18

» Read more: Gil Sharone: Cape Breton International Drum Fest

Drum trio on stools

March 13th, 2009

Very cool 3-man drum act

Duration : 0:4:8

» Read more: Drum trio on stools

frame drum Video Podcast – Special Edition – Part 1

March 9th, 2009

http://www.framedrums.net Hatem Ammous, Percussion Professor at the University of Sfax, teaches Tunesian Rhythms and playing techniques on Bendir, Riq (Tar) and Darbouka.

Duration : 0:9:3

» Read more: frame drum Video Podcast – Special Edition – Part 1

www.drum.com DW DRUMS AT 2008 NAMM SHOW

March 7th, 2009

DW DRUMS at the 2008 NAMM Show. Watch drum solos, drum lessons and more at: http://www.drum.com

Duration : 0:3:47

» Read more: www.drum.com DW DRUMS AT 2008 NAMM SHOW

Trilok Gurtu Project – Pasha´s Love (solo on tabla & drums)

March 5th, 2009

solo performance on an exclusive gig with Nils Petter Molvær at…

Duration : 0:6:40

» Read more: Trilok Gurtu Project – Pasha´s Love (solo on tabla & drums)

4 Year Old Djembe Drummer

March 3rd, 2009

Isaiah Chevrier from www.rootsyrecords.com play solo djembe.

Duration : 0:2:29

» Read more: 4 Year Old Djembe Drummer

MAGICAL MALI : Sweet Dance, Chants and Djembe Drums: “Danza”

March 3rd, 2009

Dancers (Ami Doumbia left and Malodone right) from the award winning…

Duration : 0:3:3

» Read more: MAGICAL MALI : Sweet Dance, Chants and Djembe Drums: “Danza”