Djembe buyers guide

Found a great new djembe article on ezinearticles.

The article provides good advice if you are planning to buy a djembe, which beginners will certainly find useful when buying their first djembe.

The author also links to some really usefull online djembe lessons, that are worth checking out.

Radio Africa & Mande Popular Music and Cultural Policies in West Africa: Griots and Government Policy since Independence

I came a across a great book the other day, written by Graeme Counsel of Radio Africa.

It's called "Mande Popular Music and Cultural Policies in West Africa: Griots and Government Policy since Independence" and I can't wait to read it... It's a little expensive though, so I'll have to wait to I get my gift voucher for Amazon that I have been promised.

It promises to shed a little light on the activities of West African governments in the 1960's after independence from France. Most of them embarked on a campaign of showing the world how great they are through their music and culture....



Once I get it, I'll be sure to read it and let you guys know what I think...

Buying a djembe drum online

Is it possible to buy a djembe drum online and be happy with the resulting drum?

For me, the only djembe I want to play is an authentic one, with rope, real skin and wood!

In terms of getting what you expect it seems that the non-authentic drums are far more predictable in terms of what you will receive.

There are plenty of places you can buy a remo djembe, including Amazon:



Here's a remo djembe review, for those of you interested.

The thing with "real" djembe's is that they are hand made. There are so many factors involved in their creation, including.

- Quality of the wood
- thickness of the wood
- consistency of the wood
- How fast and how evently the wood dries
- Thickness of the skin.
- Size of the rings
- Shape of the rings
- Finish of the inside of the bowl
- Quality, thickness and correctness of the rope pattern

Anyway, it's a field filled with potential land mines, and if you're going to buy an authentic djembe, then try to have a look at the thing.

Make sure to check these things out, and don't be afraid to ask someone who knows what they are doing, if you don't!

Djembe tehnique

I've done a lot of work on my djembe technique, as any djembe player has to. Djembe technique refers to the quality of my noteees - tones and slaps.

It's a life long work and when you watch the like of Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate you realise that no matter how much work you have done you always have so much more to do!

When looking to improve your technique nothing works better than actual time in front of the djembe. A good teacher can also aid faster progression.

Sometimes a teacher isn't always available and in this case teaching dvds and online djembe lessons are the only option.

Here is a pretty good article introducing djembe technique that some may find useful.

Cool article on historical and cultural aspects of the djembe

I found a pretty interesting article of E-Zine articles the other day that gives a lot of info djembe culture and the history of the djembe drum!

Djembe Competition Win a $50 voucher

I came across a lucky draw competition on djembefola.com (a website about djembe drums), where you can win a $50 voucher for drumskulls.

It's really quick and easy to enter and drumskulls have got some great stuff! I recommend anyone enter!

I love djembe drums

Hey guys,

I'm a djembe drumming enthusiast from Australia. The djembe is a drum for West Africa and it is played with the hands. It's sometimes , incorrectly, called a bongo.

The djembe is loud, rhythmical and beautiful. I'm going to be talking about djembe drumming here and music in general.