How to Use Different Technique on Djembe Drums

The djembe is a traditional West African drum made from wood and animal skin. Although it's been around for centuries, the djembe only gained widespread popularity after the 1950s. Since then, it's become one of most popular international percussion instruments in the world. Here are a few basic techniques to help you get the best sound out of your djembe drum.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Sit close to the ground on a comfortable chair, cushion or couch. Relax your arms and core muscles so that you're loose and ready to play.

2. Hold the djembe between your legs using the insides of your thighs.

3. Bend your arms and wrists so that your hands have easy access to the top of the drum.

4. Strike the drum with the palm of your hand and your fingers at once to produce a bass sound. Make sure the bottom of your palm is inside the drum's rim.

5. Produce a "tone" by gently squeezing your fingers together and hitting the head of djembe. The bottoms of your fingers should hit just inside the rim of the drum. Keep your wrist and hand firm.

6. Make a "slap" by repeating the tone strike while allowing your fingers to naturally spread out. Relax your fingers and let their tips whip onto the drum's head to produce a high-pitched note.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with your hand position during each of these techniques. The slap and tone especially take a bit of tweaking to sound clear and crisp.