How to Play the Single Stroke

The djembe drum is held between your knees and played with your hands, unlike drums played with two sticks. The lack of rebound from the use of sticks makes a different style of sound, one that helps identify the djembe. For the musician, playing by hand rather than with sticks is a completely different experience. Read on to learn how to play the single stroke.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Sit down so that your feet are planted firmly on the floor and your thighs are not supported by the chair you're sitting in. You need to sit tall and straight to play properly.

2. Place the djembe securely between your knees. Rather than setting it completely upright, most players find it easier to tilt the djembe slightly away from them and play on the edges of the drum's face rather than at the center.

3. Beat the single stroke by striking the drum with one hand first, followed by the other. One hand should strike the drum while the other is in the air. Repeat this process again and again to create the single stroke roll.

4. Strike the drum in a rhythmic fashion by leaving the same amount of time, or musical beats, in between each strike of your hands.

5. Experiment with the single stroke by beating the drum faster, leaving less time between each strike. You can also play a slower rhythm by leaving more time between each strike.