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Djembe Drum

The Main Differences Between a Key Tuned Djembe and a Traditional Djembe

A djembe is an African instrument made out of a tree trunk. It is covered by goatskin and tightened on the sides by a rope to create tension and create the various sounds when hit. You can say it is a type of drum except it produces different sounds depending on where you hit it. If you're planning on buying a djembe, you will have to choose between a key tuned djembe and a traditional djembe. What's the difference between the two?

A key tuned djembe has a more modern look and the design is less intricate because it doesn't use ropes. In order to tune it, you have to use a wrench and tighten the bolts on the sides of the tuning djembe. You can instantly notice that the sides have a metal rim and hooks that attach at certain points around the rim. You have to use the wrench in order to tune it.

Many beginners prefer <a href="http://www.djembedrumsonline.com/">key tuned djembe</a>s because they don't have the experience necessary to tune up a traditional djembe. Tuning the instrument is also very easy. You just use a wrench and tighten the bolts on each hook until you get the right pitch. The bolts and the metal rims on the side add more weight to the tuning djembe and do take away from the looks of the instrument.

The traditional djembe on the other hand uses ropes. It is also called a roped djembe so don't forget it's one and the same. The first thing you notice about these djembe drums is that there is a rope around the head of the instrument. This really adds to the look of the djembe and many enthusiasts prefer this look.

Unlike the keytuned version, the roped djembe is tuned by tightening the ropes around the head. You'll notice that because it is tuned this way, you won't notice any tuning forks sticking out on the sides of the instrument. The way this works is that the rope places tension on the head and pulls it together. You tune it by pulling the knots and rope into a weave.

Many people prefer the traditional djembe because it is simply one of those instruments that stand out. The roped version really adds to the overall look of the instrument. After playing the instrument for some time, tuning it with the rope is fairly easy. It's just a matter of repeating the process over and over again.

At the end of the day, it's really up to you whether to get the key tuned djembe or the traditional one. The key difference between the two is that you have to learn how to tune the ropes in the traditional version and the key tuned version is heavier. The best advice is that you may want to play the instrument for some time before deciding which one to get.

About the Author

DjembeDrumsOnline.com offers high quality, affordable <a href="http://www.djembedrumsonline.com/">key tuned djembe</a> drums that are perfect for you and your friends.

I have a question about the Jembe drum?

Well Its spelled Djembe or just Jembe. Djembe from the french or what but anyway to my question. Could someone tell me of a store or a website that sells These drums? I just joined band and I'm playing the drums but the teacher let us play different instruments today so I was playing the Jembe and I was fascinated by it so I wanted to buy one for home use. Any help would be appreciated.
Actually its not that new . =D Been used in Africa for years!

I teach Afro-Latin drumming as part of my school curriculum. We have all Remo equipment - and you can get a tuneable djembe from www.musiciansfriend.com

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Remo-Djembe?sku=442269

Djembe Drum
GREAT !! Guinea Djembe Drum Spectac: Remarkable Dundun Solo!

Djembe $66.91 A djembe also known as djimbe, jenbe, jymbe, jembe, yembe, or jimbay, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skincovered hand drum shaped like a large goblet and meant to be played with bare hands. According to the Bamana people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes directly from the saying Anke dje, anke be which literally translates to everyone gather together and defines the drums purpose. In the Bamanakan language, Dje is the verb for gather and be translates as everyone. Legend has it that the first djembes were made from the skin of the mythical cross between a giraffe and a zebra, the gebraffe.It is a member of the membranophone family of musical instruments: a frame or shell (in the djembes case it is a wood shell) covered by a membrane or drumhead made of rawhide or some other material. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 72 Publication Date: 2009/12/28 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.17 inches

Wood djembe drum, 'Musicians' (Ghana) $367.95 Ghana's legendary music traditions inspire Robert K. Ghartey, a drum player himself. He crafts an extraordinary djembe drum depicting a man playing the xylophone and another the donno drum. Ghartey uses cotton twine for the upper part, which includes a goat hide drumhead secured by iron rings.

Wood djembe drum, 'Abokobi' (Ghana) $134.95 A town in Ghana's greater Accra area gives its name to this handsome djembe. The drum is a favorite among the Ga community. Eric Darko sculpts the drum from tweneboa wood, depicting geometric motifs on the base. The goatskin head is affixed by nylon cords, and a macram� strap can be slung over the shoulder.

Wood djembe drum, 'Ntoboase' (Ghana) $142.95 Dramatic floral motifs grace a beautiful djembe drum designed by Nana Adu Amankwapam I. Carved from warm tweneboa wood, this traditional percussion instrument is finished with mansion polish. The goatskin head is affixed by iron rings wrapped in cotton, and its macram� cord can be slung over the shoulder. The djembe originated in Benin, where it is used during voodoo rites, and has been introduced into neighboring countries such as Ghana. Amankwapam names this original piece Ntoboase, which means "patient" in the Akan language. This sort of drum is played widely throughout Ghana and Nigeria.

African drums

African drums – Gold restaurant

The djembe has a great cultural heritage in Africa. Although similar in cultural use and significance too many countries and tribes on the African continent, it has minute but significant differences.

The Djembe is the drum of the Mandinka people, and its origins dates back to the great Mali Empire of the 12th century. Of all the African drums, the djembe has become extremely sought after in the Western world and is regarded as the most popular. This drum has inspired master drum makers now found all over the world.

The djembe is made in Mali. In and around the Kayes region. The drum rhythm or Diansa is performed in the evening for most celebrations, example during full moon, spring, summer and winter harvesting time, weddings, baptism, honouring of mothers, immediately after Ramadaan (the month of fast for all Muslim brothers and sisters) or other celebrations. Dancing is the most popular form of entertainment and various rhythms and beats are played on the djembe. Similar type celebrations and cultural rhythms are applicable to Senegal as well as other regions of West Africa.

African goatskins from Mali are the most suitable for covering the playing surface of a djembe, due to central Africa having the perfect climatic and grazing conditions for the goats. The skins therefore undoubtedly, provide the very best sound.

The Gold Restaurant has fast established itself as the authority on traditional African music. Synonymous with group drumming and interactive team building, we are also one of Southern Africa's leading entertainment agencies. The Drum Cafe also facilitates product launches, fundraisers, awards, shows & road shows. Providing a unique, fun way to bring people together. We also specialise in African traditional, modern and fusion performances and entertainment – don't miss the new Drumstruck live show. Create link on Drumstruck show.

Africa is the source of nearly all rhythms played today in the world. The drum beat in Africa is heard every day for communication, celebration and fun. I do not aim to make professionals through my teaching; I only want to help you start a journey on the long and wide road of African percussion.

In my workshops, I bring authentic African culture with variety, it's not all drum talk, I bring history, art and general awareness of life in Africa.

I aim to encourage participation and self-learning by exciting people's imagination with as many visual and practical challenges as possible. Whatever I do has been learnt by imitation and that is what I try to pass on, to enhance people's creativity.

Established in 1995 by Eddie Bunting, Drums and Rhythm is the fruit of over a decade of passion, motivation, enthusiasm and love. The seed was planted when he ate, breathed and lived drums and drumming, a pioneer for the djembe in South Africa. Many drumming roll players in this country know him as the "President of drums".
All this skill and knowledge gave birth to Moropa Africa (African Drum), a small Drum shop selling a range of authentic African drums and percussion instruments from all over the continent, African arti-facts and art, selling African CD's, a bamboo bar selling African filter coffee and 100% pure fruit juices, a drumming room and a workshop offering drum repairs and re skinning and its where the drums were also built.

Drums and Rhythm caters to a wide range of requirements, from corporate team building, motivational seminars and stress release, to product launches, performances, choreography to entertainment.

Drums and Rhythm offers Interactive Drumming, Gumboot Dancing, Traditional African Dancing, Belly Dancing and Fire Dancing for team building and motivation.

We also boast a wide range of top quality Dances, which include:  Gumboot theatre, Gumboot dancers, Salsa dancers, Belly dancers, Traditional African dancers, African Theatre, Zulu Warriors, UV Gumboot show, Fire dancers, Tribal Theatre.

As well as a wide range of World class performances, which include:  West African drummers, Samba drummers, Traditional South African drummers,  marimba bands, Afro-fusion bands, Reggae bands, Calypso bands, Bubaka Drum Ensemble, Contemporary bands, DJ's, Comedians, Stilt walkers, Jugglers,  Samba Bands, Salsa  and African jazz bands.

To complete the package we can provide memorabilia drums branded with company logos, Djembe necklaces and key rings beaded in company colours and African artifacts for corporate gifts.

Not only are we the country's foremost drumming company, we are also the largest importer and wholesaler of African drums and percussion instruments in Southern Africa. Drumming was part of our daily lives before the flame was found. Hundreds of drumming enthusiasts are taking the world by storm and they are not alone …Drums and Rhythm is dedicated to spreading the benefits of our Interactive Events as well as promoting the diversity and wealth of the South African culture.

One of the most ancient of musical instruments is the drum. Almost all cultures have used drums in some form or other. Drums in African culture are used to signify various rites and rituals and are not just for the sake of music. Thus, over the years, different types of drums have been evolved to produce different kinds of sounds to suit specific ceremonies or functions.

These drums are believed to have originated sometime around 500 AD from West Africa. Djembes are generally used during ancestral worship, healing ceremonies, warrior rituals, rites of passage and social dancing. The djembe is traditionally hand-carved from solid hardwood log. Goat skin is used to cover the shell and produce the sound unique to this drum.

These drums are known by various other names like dundun, atumpan, gangan, donno, tama, tamma, kalungu, doodo, odondo, dondo, lunar and lunna. These hourglass-shaped drums are called "talking drums" as they were used in ancient times to pass messages through different villages and communities. The drum is made from wood and animal hide attached together by leather cords.

The drum is supported under the left arm, while hitting on the skin with a bent stick produces the sounds. While beating the stick on the drumhead, the drummer squeezes the "waist" of the drum to produce different types of notes by changing the pitch. The tighter you squeeze the drum, the higher the pitch of the note. It is this language that was used to pass messages through the villages. The drums were also used to recite prayers and evoke blessings during many rituals.

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Djembe drum, 'Lattice Accent' $222.95 NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. Bands of latticed chip-carving beautifully adorn this djembe drum by Ernestina Oppong Assante. The djembe originates from West Africa - where it is used during voodoo rituals - but it has now be...

Djembe drum, 'Gye Nyame and Egyptian Woman' $212.95 Imposing, this djembe drum by Ernestina Oppong possesses the power of ancient rhythms as two traditional Adinkra (Ghanaian symbols) are skillfully elaborated on a wooden base. Like a rotating blade appears Gye Nyame, translated as "I am afraid of none but God." On the other side, the head of a beautiful Egyptian woman surfaces, her mellow features offering a touch of serenity. Transform the beat o...

Djembe drum, 'Kente Pillar' $348.99 Poised in the hands of a rhythm conductor, the African djembe drum comes to life as sound travels from the taut goat skin head, plummets to the depths of the body, resonates in intense waves of power, then exits the drum magically, drawing the gathered crowd into its alluring beat. This djembe is hand-carved from wood by Joseph Aboagye and wrapped in patterned cotton kente cloth to enhance its vis...

Traditional Dances of Ghana $25.99 Are you studying African dance or would like to know more about it? In this instructional dance DVD, you will learn 4 popular dances from Ghana, West Africa. Nana Yaw Koranteng, a master dancer and choreographer, breaks down all the steps to each dance so you can clearly see the movements. After the breakdown, Yaw's group, the Aziza Music and Dance Ensemble, performs the rhythm in real time and...

Mali Drums: Young Guns (djembe music from Africa!) $17.00 This CD was recorded outside of Sabalibougou at The Centre Togola, a local community center run by director Kareem Togola. 'Bougou' means 'Village' in the Bambara language, although this center is located in a city district inside a bustling marketplace on the outskirts of Bamako, Mali, West Africa. The community center houses local dancers, drummers and musicians, most of whom play in the center...

Djembe Drum