Posts Tagged ‘drumming’

Djembe Drums: A Response To Your Questions

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Unlike some other drums, the djembe is a true hand drum because it is played only with the hands and no mallet or drumstick is used. The djembe has a lot of history associated with it, which is part of its appeal. A music group that has a djembe adds a new aspect that accentuates the music’s beat. A few of the questions that are sometimes asked before purchasing djembe drums will be addressed in this article.

What is a Djembe Drum?

A traditional cialis target=”_blank” href=”http://www.djembedrumshop.com/”>djembe is shaped like a goblet and is covered with the skin of a goat after being carved out of one single log. A newer type might be constructed of fiberglass and have a cover that is synthetic. Regardless of how advanced you are, impressive sounds can be achieved from either type.

Which area originated the Djembe?

Such drums came from the country of Mali in Western Africa. The Mandika people are most associated with this style of drum. Superstition concerning these drums claims buy Baby Powder online that three spiritual beings live within them. The wood reflects the tree spirit, the hide covering reflects the animal spirit, and the spirit of the one who has made it is also there.

The Mandika said that they got the original djembe from djinn; which was thought to be a mythological beast. This being supposedly showed them how to make the drum and gave them knowledge of its use. This has allowed them to find a spiritual significance in it.

What type of sounds are associated with the Djembe?

Such drums can make many different types of sounds depending on which of the three easy hand movements are used. The three are the slap, tone, and base. The base is caused by striking the ball of the hand on the center of the head. This creates a lower, more rounded sound. The tone is created by hitting the edge of the drum with the base of the fingers when they are very relaxed. The sound produced is higher and somewhat dull. The tone and slap are made with the same hand movement but the latter has the fingers bounce off the drum’s head to create a sharper, ringing sound. By using a combination of these motions other sounds can be made making this drum very versatile.

Is it possible to tune these drums?

With this type of drum, the tighter it is the better it sounds. The best way to fix a drum that sounds flat is to tighten up the loose supporting stings until the drum sounds clear. Remember,stringing a goat skin head drum might be quite a challenge because of the large number of strings involved.

This type of drum is very simple to use and compliments other instruments very well. The versatility of the djembe makes it a good choice for anyone who is willing to give it a try.

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Selecting The Right Sized Djembe Drum

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

The djembe drum size you require will depend on your own size, level of ability, and, of course, the musical purpose of the drum. Djembes can be played whilst sitting down and with the aid of a djembe strap they can also be played whilst standing up.

Generally, an adult will need a djembe with a 12″ head or larger. Young people should have the smaller drum, with head sizes of 7 to 10 inches. A good indicator of what size is right for you is how far your hand reaches across the drum head if the heel of your hand is on the rim, your fingers should just cross the centre. If the drum head is too small, your hands will be too large and it will be difficult to play

The positioning of the drum between the legs is an important consideration when determining the best size djembe. Your arms also need to be able to reach the drum head with ease without having to over stretch. Some of the very agile are able to control the position of the drum with their legs, and actually move it, with smooth, minute squeezing and loosening motions of the knees against the drum’s body. It is possible to pick up the drum and beat it for an extra explosive resonance, by just using the knees.

Once you have purchased your drum it will take a few sessions of playing to feel comfortable with it. You should practice playing the drum both sitting down and standing up.It is best to make sure early on that this is the right sized drum for you. This follows the idea of the “Suzuki” means of learning music that was once popular. Small children mastered how to play the violin and become accustomed to the instrument by walking around with it while playing. The point here is simply that one’s body must get familiar with buy cialis online Stop Smoking Patch online the drum. This is why size is important. The djembe is truly a spiritual instrument and one does not want to start off with it in an awkward relationship.

Once the size of djembe which you need has been determined the next consideration is style. Also whether you prefer a traditional wooden djembe or the more modern synthetic type.

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The Basics Of Learning The Drums

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Drums are a fun and exciting instrument to learn. The drums is what often keeps a song moving and provides the main feel and groove. When you first piece together a full beat with the bass drum, snare and high cialis buy delivery hat you’ll be excited.

I want to introduce you to the basics of learning to play the drums in this article. If you’ve just got your first kit or are just starting out this article will get you playing in time on the snare, high hat and kick drum.

1 – First begin with the High Hat Cymbal

There is a lot happening when you’re playing a beat on the drums. Your right and left hands are doing different things and now so is one of your feet. Before you introduce the kick drum to anything start out first with the high hat. You can start this process with the snare as well but following the pattern I outline is closer to what most songs follow.

Use your right hand and practice keeping an even beat on the high hat. If you have some knowledge of 4/4 time then practice keeping the beat like this: 1,2,3,4. You want the time between each strike of the high hat to be the same.

2 – Add in some Snare

Now that you’re maintaining the common time 4/4 beat on the cymbal high hat let’s add something else, let’s hit the snare on the 4 beat.

While you’re still playing on the high hat 1,2,3,4 add in a hit online cheap buy without prescription Camagra to the snare on the 4 with your left hand stick. The first try you may find your right hand mixes up on the high hat. That’s alright since you’re trying to get your brain to do two different things with your opposite hands at the same time. You’ll get it to work it just takes some practice.

3 – Add the Bass Drum

If you’re feeling good about the snare and the high hat let’s add in the kick drum. On the 1 beat now hit the kick drum. Continue with your two current pieces of 4 beats on the high hat cymbal and the one hit of the snare drum buy acomplia online without prescription on the 4 beat.

Now you’re telling your brain to do three different things with each hand and one foot, this is going to take some practice and patience.

This is a basic beginner beat when learning buy Benicar online to play the drums. If you’re cialis dosage eager to learn more beats I’d suggest getting a dvd drum lesson. These self study lessons are quickly becoming the method of choice for adults to learn the drums at home.

The best course we’ve come across to help teach yourself the drums is Learn & Master Drums. The program comes with several DVDs of instruction and audio that you can use entirely at your own pace to learn the drums at home.

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