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Step 1
Hold the drum between your thighs while you sit upright on the edge of your seat. Keep your spine straight. Tuck your ankles beneath you and have them crossed so that the drum can rest tilted slightly forward between your thighs with the bottom of the drum in back of your heels. Make sure that the drum's bottom is clear and open so that air can move in and out to produce the bass tone.
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Step 2
Make sure your wrist is stiff to create the bass sound. This is called Gun or Dun. Raise the third knuckles of your hand and hit the center of the djembe. Drop the raised knuckles on the drum while your hand strikes and lift the hand immediately as though the hand has bounced.
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Step 3
Work the rim of the drum with your fingers for the slapping tone, also known as Ta or Pa. Fingers should be open and the hand in a relaxed position, almost curved. Slap the drum's rim with your last two knuckles and palms while the other two fingers stay open and strikes the head quickly to bounce back up.
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Step 4
Use your fingertips only to get the tone of Go or Do. Bring your fingers close with the hand flat and straight. Strike only at the edge of the drum, usually the top edge closest to your body.
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Step 5
Stay loose and relaxed so that you can maintain the faster rhythms. It's nearly impossible to keep up the speed when your body is tense.
