Why People Play African Drums

Series Summary

The djembe is a large, goblet-shaped drum that is skin-covered and played with bare hands. The drum is a membranophone, meaning its covering is a shell, usually rawhide. Its origins trace back to West Africa, where it is a monumental part of the culture and musical history. According to African tradition, the djembe contains certain spirits which motivate the drummer and are an active part of the experience for the listener, as well. While the djembe drum has found popularity in the Western world as a part of a drum circle, its intended ensemble use is with a doundoun drum and bells. Soloists or lead drummers will beat rhythms to accent and accompany dancers, signaling changes in dance steps as well as adapting to the dance.

African drums, such as the djembe, can be used to produce a variety of tones and unique sounds. In this free video series, a musician will teach you how to play the djembe and how to produce different sounds and rhythms. Starting with bass sounds, tones, and techniques for slapping a djembe, you'll move on to learn about playing kuku rhythms on a djembe. You'll also learn how to play kuku parts on a songba, kenkini, and doundoun drum. African djembe drumming requires a lot of skill and practice, and this musician will introduce a number of hand exercises for you to practice. With these tips and techniques, you'll be able to tell your own story with a djembe in no time.

Video Transcript

"In this clip, I am going to tell you what really is an African drum, and why people play the drum. In Africa, the djembe is not only for music playing. They include the djembe in all celebration. Wedding, birthday, everything. And, also is not only the instrument to play for wedding or birthday, but also an instrument that they use as fun. They play it to give message to another village and make everybody come together. For example, if they have an announcement to do. One leader is coming to the village. The drummers come and play the drum and have everybody around them and they start telling the message. So, drumming is not only to get on stage and play. And also, in Africa they compete a lot about drumming. They have many festivals that they use the drum for people to compete against each other."