The Complete Guide To Buying A Djembe Drum

Shopping for djembe drums can be daunting, if you don’t know what you need. A drum's personality is created by its size, tuning mechanism, shell composition and head type. The drum is your voice; hence, it should be an extension of yourself. By studying the buying guide, you will learn a lot about the subject, ensuring that you pick the perfect drum to suit your needs.

Deciding on the Shell Material

Djembes can be made in many varieties of shell, including both synthetic and natural materials. You need to consider what type of environment you will be playing in when you make your decision. If you opt for a natural or wood body material, it has to be one that was specifically treated to prevent rot or bugs in the drum. 

Use caution when purchasing a traditionally made drum, as this can sometimes be a problem in some parts of the world. Most major manufacturers use a form of fiberglass to form the body of the drum. These man-made drums are quite sturdy; they play well and hold up admirably despite poor conditions. The tonal qualities are slightly different and less “earthy” but you can still project just fine when you play.

How to Choose a Good Drum Head

According to custom, the head of a djembe drum consists of animal skin, typically from a goat. They are adequate, especially for traditional drums, but they do need additional maintenance. The best drum head for a dry environment is made of natural skin, which has a sound that is very rich. 

However, if you live in a climate with higher humidity, you may want to opt for a drum that has a synthetic drum head instead. Most synthetic heads are made of Mylar, or other types of polyester films. A synthetic head is designed to reproduce the tone and feel of its natural counterpart; additionally, it sounds great when used in the studio. 

Heads made of man-made materials work well in nearly any weather conditions - a versatile advantage that distinguishes them for players who aren't professionals.

Selecting a Tuning Method

Most drums that are manufactured use mechanical tuning, meaning that not rope, but bolts are used. This is a popular design since it is very easy to understand the way to tune and put on different drum heads -- just unscrew the bolts then take off the head. 

In terms of a drum tuned with rope, additional practice is required. If your tuning is like this, you need professional assistance for the first few times so you can become skilled with the tuning procedure and skin changing. You don’t want to damage your drum by tuning it incorrectly!

A more common method is rope tuning and if the head is natural, this makes the sound more special and authentic.

Using Djembe Drums for Music Therapy

Hand-crafted African djembe drums are beautiful musical instruments with an interesting sound. Not just that, these drums are useful for therapy and recovery. Rhythm is an important element of the human experience, starting with the sound of the mothers heartbeat while still in the womb. Drum therapy develops that sensation to further promote healing.

Music therapy with djembe drums can be employed in many different institutional surroundings. For example, school kids of every age group like a session of playing rhythm musical instruments. However the gain goes over and above simple pleasure. Making music has been discovered to be beneficial to a child's intellectual advancement in addition to minimizing stress levels, both facts that make drumming useful as a therapy for youngsters with problems like ADHD, mental retardation, or physical difficulties.

The djembe drum extends back about seven hundred years, where it was initially created in the African country of Mali. The craftsman carves the drum from a single length of tree trunk and tops it with an animal skin drum head. The drum was designed to fit between the legs of the player and be drummed on with the hands. Musicians can learn conventional rhythms or play depending on the way they feel.

Drum circles can be used various kinds of therapy. When employed in an organization, the feeling of community aids the music in generating well being. Drum circles have been seen to be useful for stroke victims, cancer sufferers, people attempting to break addictions, and other individuals young and old who are dealing with difficulties. Drums are used with Alzheimer's patients and it's thought that drumming may even assist the immune system.

In the drum circle, the lead djembe drummer will often lay out the rhythm for the circle, with other instruments following his lead. Other instruments used include rattles, shakers, bongo drums, rhythm sticks, and tambourines. Schools often buy the instruments in classroom kits to ensure that there will be something for everyone to play.

When selecting a djembe drum, it is essential to think of the size of the person who'll be playing it. Heights of the drums range from 12 to 28 inches with the diameter of the head increasing proportionately. The drum should rest on the floor or chair when the player is seated. The top of the drum really should be located 3 or 4 inches above the lap. Consequently, the smallest children ought to be equipped with the shortest size of djembe drums.