How to Play the Djembe

Have you ever wanted to play a drum? Tap in to the spirit of Africa with the exotic sound of a djembe drum. Popular at drum circles, the djembe is fun and easy to learn. Whether you're learning in a group or on your own, here are some basics about playing the djembe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Get Ready to Play

1. Sit on a stool with the drum facing you.

2. Grab the djembe with both hands and tip it away from you, so that the front of the base is on the floor but the rest of the base is off the ground. Make sure the hole at the bottom is not obstructed because this is where the sound will escape.

3. Hold the drum between your knees. This will free your hands for drumming. You may want to insert a strap between the lacing of the drum and sit on the strap ends so you don't have to worry about the drum falling.

Make the Sounds

4. Get ready to play the bass sound, the lowest of three basic sounds on the djembe. Rest your hand near the middle of the drum with a straight wrist, fingers straight. Now pick up your hand and strike the drum.

5. Make the tone sound by holding your fingers together near the drum rim. The top of your second set of knuckles should make contact with the drum.

6. Do the slap sound with your fingers together but relaxed. Hit the drum rim with your fingertips. It should sound different than the tone sound.

Read Music for Djembe

7. Read music as B, Gun or Dun for bass.

8. Read T, Go, or Do for a tone sound.

9. Read S, Pa or Ta for the slap sound.

10. Try BTT, BTT, BTT or TSS, TSS, TSS for practice. Alternate hands. Check out the Worldwide Drums website for more exercises. Practice all sounds until they become second nature.

Djembe Tips

11. Allow your hands to come off the drum quickly, or rebound, after making all sounds.

12. Respect the instrument. You don't need to slam your hand down on the drum, risking injury to yourself, the drum and the vibe you're trying to create.

13. Do not wear jewelry such as rings while playing the djembe.