A Guide to Djembe Drum Care

Your djembe drum is an investment, you have spent both time and money to get it. Now you have your djembe drum you'll need to know how to care for it. There are certain ways to care for your djembe including getting a djembe bag to transport your drum in and also regular maintenance of the skin.

Your drum will need to be stored somewhere when it's not in use so it does not get unnecessarily damaged. To preserve the longevity of the skin, it is helpful to detune the djembe when it is not in regular use. The constant tension on the skin can cause wear, giving it a break from time to time will extend the life of the skin. Plus the life of the drum head itself could be extended by as much as fifty percent.

It is also necessary to rubdown the drum skin occasionally. Rubbing the skin with a light coating of oil or lotion will rehydrate it a little. By looking after the skin it will really help maintain the sound quality and look of your drum. Before applying to the whole drum skin, test the oil or lotion in a hidden part to make sure no undesirable discolouration occurs. Drums with synthetic skin may not benefit as much from this rubdown, but be sure to let your drum know it's nothing personal.

Djembes should only be stored where it is dry and cool. Sun can really damage the skin on a drum, making it dry and brittle. Excess moisture will cause your drum to go mouldy or rot. A mouldy drum can be unpleasant and certainly won't go unnoticed when you take your drum to your drumming group.

Storing and transporting your djembe drum in a djembe bag is wise move, it is well worth investing in a decent bag. Investing in a decent bag will also pay dividends as some bags are padded, go for the best you can afford as it will be worth it. Your djembe will most likely get damaged during transit. When purchasing a bag be sure to properly measure your drum to insure a snug fit. An ill fitting bag will not provide as much protection to your djembe.

You should get into the habit of looking after your djembe. If you look after your djembe it will be with you for many years to come.