Drum Circle

No one could deny the statement that music makes the world go around. We listen to it during exercise; we attend concerts and other events where music is a focal point. It blares behind us during almost every TV show, occasion, or during our workday. Without music, the world would seem completely quiet, despite the noise of our everyday lives. Every three years, the International Music Products Association or NAMM for short, conducts a poll to define the general public's attitude toward music. This survey measures many things including the likelihood of playing an instrument, where those individuals access their instrument instruction, and which gender is most likely to pick up an instrument and learn it on their own. Most data has remained stable across the past 3 years, but there have been some interesting changes to note.

During this survey, males and females were found to be almost equal in that they both play music instruments. There was no great deviation of males playing more than women. There was however, a huge jump of music playing for both genders under the age of 18. The percentage in 2000 of those under the age of 18 playing an instrument was 29%, but this figure jumped to 35% in 2009. This correlated with an increase in correspondents stating that the decision to play music was a joint decision and not individual. 45% stated that their parents encouraged them to play music. Parents appear to be more aware of the benefits of musical education and are influencing their children to become more involved.

In contrast, those in the age group of 18 to 34 saw a significant decrease in those who play music, dropping from 32% in 2006 to 24% in 2009. This may be due to the economic crisis, as many in that age group saw a drop in income or could have possibly lost their employment, therefore not being able to afford a musical hobby. The use of private lessons saw a slight decrease as well.

Although the NAMM poll saw that there was an even split between those who bought new and those who purchased used instruments, when the respondents did purchased, over 51% stated that they preferred to purchase in a specialized retail environment.

For those respondents with children in school, it was found that parents were encouraging their children more than ever to focus on music in school. The 5 to 11 year old age group increased since 2006. This could be due to better music programs in the schools. Many who were surveyed believed strongly in music education in the schools, and even stated that a state mandated music program would be a good idea. It was widely believed that children who participated in music programs were considered well rounded, and those surveyed were strongly on the side of infant music education and a larger music program in preschools.

Not learning a musical instrument tends to become a big regret in people's lives, with over 81% stating that they wished they had picked up an instrument, and over 60% of those people feeling they were too old to learn.

Every once in awhile it is useful to have a reminder as to how important the practice of playing music is. Whether it is enriching our children's education or allowing teenagers self-expression, learning and playing an instrument is a vital part of our lives.

Labels: djembe, Drum Circle, drum.circle.facilitator, hand.drumming, Music Education, music.therapy, NAMM, the.healing.power.of.the.drum

The djembe is one of West Africa's best known instruments. Traditionally carved from a single piece of wood with an animal skin drumhead, this hand drum belongs to the membranophane class of instruments, and stand generally between twelve and twenty-four inches tall.

The name of the djembe came from the Bamana in Mali, who said "Anke dje, anke be" to call their people together, as the saying translates as "everyone gather together." "Dje" means gather and "be" means everyone, which gave the drum used in these calls to order its name. The Bamanakans' mythology tells of the original djembe, which was made of the hide of a giraffe-zebra hybrid called the gebraffe.

In actuality, the djembe drum is about 700 years old, and was created in Mali by the Malinke people. The territory of Mali almost a millennia ago was made of parts of current Mali, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, among other African countries.

Blacksmiths made the first djembes, making each drum custom-fitted to the drummer who would play it. The making of the drum was spiritual, and the blacksmith was obliged to make offerings to the spirits of the trees he cut down. Once the blacksmith finished the djembe, it was delivered to the drummer who commissioned it, a member of the djeli caste. The djeli were musicians, who were responsible for the oral history of their people.

The djeli caste still exists today, and is responsible for the traditional music. The djeli sing and perform during rituals, baptisms, weddings and funerals, and are trusted with the music of their ancestors.

During a performance, the djembe begins the ritual, followed by the singer and the other instruments. The djembe player can change the beat of the drums in order to change the song, and the singer and instrument players use the rhythm to recognize what they should be playing. Meanwhile, the guests at the ceremony dance to the rhythm in a circle. Solo dancers will leave the circle to dance for the djembe players.

Hundreds of years later, the djembe gained a new following after West African countries gained independence. Highlighting the old culture of these newly sovereign states, djembe was used in national ballets, and drew emphasis to the djembe as a musical instrument in and of itself, rather than as an accompaniment. Most modern djembe troupes have done away with their dancers altogether, focusing completely on the music being made.

Even as recently as the 1950s, the djembe was not known beyond African music aficionados and those who grew up with the instrument. However, during the midcentury, Fodeba Keita, of Guinea, brought a tour of Les Ballets Africains around the world. The instrument became well known, and more Americans began using the drum in their music.

In today's musical world, the djembe is making its way into the global consciousness. More people than ever listen to world music, popularized greatly by the rapid spread of West African ballets and orchestras especially during the 1980s. Though the instruments are not being made traditionally, they're more accessible than ever, helping a new generation of drummers discover the djembe.

Labels: african.djembe, african.djembe.drum, african.drumming, beginner.djembe, djembe, Djembe Spirit, Djembe.Buying.Guide, djembe.drum

When built according to traditional standards, every element of the djembe is rife with spiritual significance. Each piece of the drum holds the spirit of its maker; the wood of the body, the skin of the drum head and the workmanship of the artist who made the drum. By using all three spirits in harmony, the spirits join together to make beautiful, powerful music. The drummer is able to connect with him or herself, to those around, and to nature.

The first of the spirits is from the body's wood. The artist must make an offering to the spirit of the tree before cutting it down to hollow it out. Legend states that the spirit of the tree is a djinn, which is the male, malevolent version of a Genie. Djembes were traditionally carved from hollowed out Dimba trees, the name of which means "Devil Wood." The djinn gave the djembe as a gift to the Malinke people, and many believe that the wood is imbued with the power to make the African people dance.

The second spirit of the djembe is found in the drum head. Goatskin is the preferred animal hide used for djembe drum heads, but artists also use skin from antelopes, deer, camels, zebras and calves. Drum heads are made from the female's hide. Malinke mythology describes the first djembe's drum head as coming from the hybrid of a zebra and a giraffe – a "gebraffe." The drum head allowed the Malike people to communicate over long distances. Therefore, the djembe was an integral element in tribal language, connecting members in other areas.

The instrument maker also lends his or her spirit to the drum. The creation of the djembe was difficult, and was undertaken only by members of the blacksmith caste. In particular, attaching the hide to the wood is difficult, because that attachment is one of the crucial elements in the creation of sound. The artist must take care in the tanning of the hide, because of the reflection of the spirit as well as the resonance of the drum, and in the choosing of the wood, as the wood had to be able to burn all night in a fire. The time and effort used during the artistry of the djembe contributed the spirit of the artist to the djembe.

In Mali, djembes have been used in sacred rituals for more than a millennium. Djembefolas, or djembe players, lead the music for marriages, births and funerals, as well as for a number of seasonal ceremonies. Furthermore, medicine men used the djembe to calm their patients, believing that the djembe could heal the spirit.

In female led groups, frame drums were used for worship of goddesses. Rituals were held at night, connecting the power of the moon and the lunar cycle with menstrual cycles. As a consequence of the relationship between these cycles, women felt closer to the spirit of the feminine divine. The drum is used in depictions of the moon goddess.

Labels: djembe, Djembe Spirit, djembe.drum

Jason Mraz is one of the hottest names in music. The singer songwriter, who grew up in Mechanicsville, Virginia, took his musical cues as a teenager from Dave Matthews Band, the Agents of Good Roots and musical theater. He moved to New York after high school graduation to matriculate at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, but left after a year.

Mraz began playing the guitar, but the quality of his voice bears testament to his training as a vocalist; he is known for his broad and unmistakable tenor. Mraz began busking in New York, but later moved home to Virginia, before setting out for the opposite coast.

After settling in San Diego in 1999, drawn to the singer-songwriter scene, Mraz began playing at local coffee houses, like Java Joe's. He signed on for a weekly residency at the hot spot, notorious for launching huge stars, like Jewel, to fame. At Java Joe's, Mraz met his future percussionist, Noel "Toca" Rivera. Mraz calls Toca Rivera a "vocutionist," or a percussionist who also sings.

Toca Rivera, his brother, and Mraz originally formed a band with two guitars and Rivera on the djembe drum, but over time, Rivera's brother left the band. They then created a duet, with Mraz on guitar and Rivera on djembe.

Within a few years, Mraz and Rivera were signed to Elektra and released Mraz's first album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which featured their first top twenty single, "The Remedy (I Don’t Worry)." Three years later, after signing with Atlantic Records, they released Mr. A-Z, which debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 album chart.

The most popular album by far has been Mraz's most recent studio album, entitled We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. Thanks in large part to "I'm Yours," the album's lead single, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 200. Mraz and Rivera have now been playing together for seven years.

"I'm Yours" has been one of the most popular songs on the charts in the last year, and helped to make Jason Mraz a household name. Topping the charts in America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, "I'm Yours" was certified gold in 2008 by the RIAA.

Toca Rivera swears by Meinl instruments. In the video to the right, of the duo playing their hit single, "I'm Yours," Toca plays a Meinl Floatune Series Wood Djembe. The Meinl Floatune Series Wood Djembe is a high quality djembe, made of top notch components. Based on traditional West African djembes, this hand drum creates sharp sounds, with crisp tones produced by slapping the center of the drum head. Based on the size of the drum, the pitch can vary, but all Meinl Floatune Series Wood Djembes are made with a rubber wood body and goat skin drum heads. The drum can be tuned easily, and Meinl includes tune up oil and an L-shaped tuning key with the purchase. The drum is available in three colors: African Brown, Gold Amber Sunburst, and Natural.

Labels: djembe, djembe in modern music, djembe.drum, Jason Mraz, meinl, Toca Rivera

The heart and tradition of African music is the drum. The original purpose of the drum for the people of Africa for communication between tribes. The type of drum used and rhythm played sent specific messages between neighbors. Three African drums with beautifully rich history are the sabar, kpanlogo and the most widely used today -- the djembe. Each one of these drums has its own song and story in African history.

The most popular of the African rhythms are played upon the djembe, a hand drum that was created by the Numu peoples of West Africa, has become relatively popular in Western music. Such notable musicians as Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and Ben Harper have all used the djembe's unique sound in their body of work, and it is featured in the unique performances of Cirque du Soleil. The djembe is a communicative drum, used to bring people together. This drum creates music from the bass notes created from hitting the center of the drum head, and tone notes from hitting the edges of the drumhead. The drum is thought to contain three - these are the spirits of the drum's creation. Spiritually, it was believed that the drum had one from the wood or the tree, one from the hide of the animal, and one from the man who created the drum.

Many other popular types originate from the kpanlogo drum, created in the Greater Accra Region in Ghana, Africa. This drum brought forth kpanlogo music, and is used often for dances. When the kpanlogo is played, it is usually a time for celebration. Because of this use it quickly became known as a ceremonial drum. Dancers are led by the kpanlogo lead drummer's beat. kpanlogos are usually played in groups, with rhythms created by more than one player. However, it is usually accompanied by a djembe or some other drum to produce the core beat.

The sabar is one other type of drum, this one originating in the West African nation of Senegal. However, this drum is played in a contrasting manner to the others, as it requires the use of a hand and a stick. The sabar was used for communication between tribes, as the sound could travel great distances. The meanings of the rhythms included cries for help or warnings. The kpanlogo has much the same function. The sabar is used for such occasions as births, weddings, and various holidays. Sabar drum beats today are kept alive through the work of the Senegalese musician Doudou N'Diaye Rose, a man born in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Doudou N'Diaye Rose alone has created over 500 drum beats on the sabar, his instrument of choice.

Labels: african.drumming, djembe, Kpanlogo, Sabar

In the August issue of Downbeat magazine you'll find a great review of the new Toca Freestyle Djembes in Antique Gold and Silver. Below, we have included a copy of the piece as well as a transcription.

Toca Freestyle Djembe: Full-Bodied Satisfaction

Toca Percussion has retooled its award-winning Freestyle djembe - a chaliced-shaped, single-headed hand drum with roots in the West African countries of Guinea and Mali.

Instead of employing the traditional method of carving the instrument from the trunk of a tree, Toca uses a patented shell made from synthetic PVC material for these djembes. This makes the Freestyle djembe amongst the lightest and the most durable models on the market. The PVC shell produces a bright resonance that allows for easy tone production and makes the drum an excellent choice for school programs and drum circles.

Toca puts hand-selected goat skin heads on the Freestyle djembes, providing an important organic element often lacking in all-synthetic models. The skins on the four djembes I played all had excellent quality heads with even thickness and no blemishes.

The new Freestyle djembes feature a low mass bold tuning system, unlike traditional djembes that use a somewhat complex rope tuning system. The Freestyle djembes are easily tuned with a small wrench that comes with the drums. The tuning mechanism provides for quick, practically effortless tuning of a wide range of tensions. The bolts on the Freestyle djembes have protective rubber sleeves on them, which protect the player's legs and enhance the look of the drum. A non-slip protective rubber collar is located on the bottom of the instruments.

The new Freestyle djembes are available in two new hand-painted finishes - antique gold and antique silver - to give them a distinctive, North African look. They come with a choice of four different head sizes: 9-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch and 14-inch. The heights of the drums are relative to the head sizes, making the 12-inch and 14-inch more of a traditional djembe size and the smaller drums are musch like a North African dumbek. All sizes produce full-bodied sounds with sharp high-end slaps and satisfying bass tones. - Doug Brush

AUGUST 2009 DOWNBEAT

In addition to the Freestyle Djembes, Toca also offers a line of Freestyle Didgeridoo instruments.

Labels: djembe, djembe.tuning, toca, toca djembe

Working drummers know well that performing light acoustic shows are part of the job and they need to be trained and prepared to drive the backline using an alternative drum when a standard drum set is not an option. A traditional hand drum is the standard alternative for these situations and drummers typically choose to use a djembe or cajon drum when the kit is too much for the room.

A djembe is a West African hand drum designed for usage in a drum circle. This hand drum is all about connecting with people and involvement by the entire community, and its easy for anyone to participate. Ben Harper, Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel are known for including the djembe in their typical percussive line-up.

Traditional African drums are favored by professional djembe players, due to the superior materials. African female goats lend tougher skins than American goats, to the drumheads, as a result of the rough life of the African goat. African djembes also use hardwood instead of plastic or softwood, which makes for better sound. Many mass market djembes you see at department stores and big chain music stores are made of synthetic materials such as PVC or fiberglass which offer more durability but also offer less warmth when it comes to tone.

Djembes produce a range of sounds, called the bass, tone and slap. The bass is the lowest sound, and is produced by holding the fingers together while playing, like the tone. The tone produces a round and full sound. Finally, the slap creates a high, sharp noise, produced by relaxing the fingers while playing.

A djembe is much smaller than the typical drum set, with size averaging out at twelve inches in diameter, twenty-four inches in height. You can find smaller djembes, down to 8 inches in diameter and eighteen inches in height.

The djembe was prominently featured in Thomas McCarthy's 2008 film, The Visitor. The film focused on the cathartic experience of playing the djembe, and how the musical expression can become part of overcoming grief, as a result of the emotion. Djembe playing is about expression more than skill; it is about community and passion.

Unlike the West African djembe, the cajon is an Afro-Peruvian hand drum that is played by slapping the sides. The box drum has an interesting and broad history where in one case the drum was used as a way to continue to play despite the Spanish boycott on African music. The shape of the box masked itself and was seen as a stool or a shelf rather than a musical instrument.

Throughout history the cajon drum has been used to play the rumba and flamenco music and has recently become a major player in contemporary music. Most recording engineers are starting to experiment with cajon drum tones in the studio for rock, reggae and hip hop recordings.

Famous performers like Jennifer Lopez and the Dixie Chicks have used the drum, as well as Alejandro Sanz, Fleetwood Mac, Norah Jones and Ben Harper.

To play the cajon drum, the player sits on top of the instrument and plays various rhythms on the frontplate, which is typically made of fine hardwoods. The other parts of the box are made of thicker wood, which creates stability for the musician, with rubber feet for the protection of floor surfaces and the bottom of the cajon.

Cajons today have a variety of sounds as a result of bass pedals, snare wires and nylon strings in the production of the drum. Musicians use their hands, as well as plastic and metal brushes to vary the sound for the music.

Labels: cajon, cajon.drum, djembe, djembe.drum, drummers, drumming, drums, flamenco.music

Oscar nominated film, The Visitor, shared with viewers a turning point in life of an older economics professor working at a university in Connecticut. After traveling to his residence in New York City for a conference, he was shocked to find that a young couple, both illegal immigrants, were living in his condo under a fraudulent lease.

He had been trying to learn the piano in order to reconcile his grief with the passing of his wife, a concert pianist, but due to age and lack of skill, he had gotten nowhere. As occurs often in life, the stars aligned and Walter (played by Richard Jenkins who was nominated for an Oscar in this role) experienced a short, yet life-changing friendship with Tarek. Although they clashed in both age and culture, the djembe and the drum rhythms they played together awakened the passion in Walter and the human trust in Tarek.

Walter is a grieving man, reserved and ordinary. Tarek is alive, in the strongest sense of the world. By letting the couple stay in his apartment, Walter makes friends with impassioned, lively people, rather than staying in the shadow of his long-past wife. Through his new friendships and the drumming, Walter is born-again. The soundtrack was inspired by Fela Kuti, a Nigerian artist, and incorporates an African beat into jazz and funk.

The juxtaposition of instruments between the piano and the djembe demonstrates the biggest draw of the drum. Walter fails time and time again at learning the piano, in an attempt to bring his wife's memory closer to him. However, he easily picks up the djembe, and in no time, is joining drum circles in Central Park with men dressed in traditional African clothing, loosening his tie, and getting involved.

The unstructured and positive approach to teaching is the complete opposite of the style Walter's piano teachers used. Rather than discourage him with words, Tarek teaches Walter to relax, feel emotion and let it out because "thinking just screws it up." All of Walter's stress and frustration associated with making music vanishes and he discovers that at last he can play. This reeducation makes Walter free.

This is the most valuable message of The Visitor. The Visitor teaches us that djembe music is therapeutic, emotional, and without an accepted style. Djembe drumming is about expression, not about restraint. For older people trying to become more musical, the djembe is the perfect instrument, because it engages your emotions, not your skill.

The movie, in a unique way, shows how important it is to accept and encourage cultural expression.

Walter's willingness to learn about and engage in West African culture shows viewers that the djembe is a vehicle of globalization. The same effect could be carried by a cajon or a bongo, instruments that take little skill but lots of emotion to play. Drumming takes you into another time and another culture, where expression supersedes technical ability when it comes to playing.

The Visitor is now playing On Demand through Comcast. Watch the trailer:

Labels: djembe, djembe.drum, Visitor

Many seeking their own hand drum or djembe have experienced the magic of drumming and drum circles. While the djembe has been used for thousands of years in celebrations, rituals and ceremonies, the modern day healing powers of this drum are touching and connecting new people around the world every single day.

Studies now show that hand drumming helps to relax the tense, energize the tired and heal the emotionally wounded.

In working with holistic practitioners, certified drum circle facilitators and yoga instructors over the years, we know that the magic of drumming is real and it is powerful.

Many of our clients are people that work hard at their jobs, typically in an office envirnment.

Imagine hard days at the office... 9 to 5 day in and day out. You feel stress, frustration and need for a healthy outlet outside of a happy hour or a spin class at the gym. You want something more, a way to express yourself and connect with others in a positive environment. You walk by a drum circle and see the relaxed faces of the participants and someone offers you a drum. You look to the leader of the circle, he nods to invite you in and you begin to drum. You drum, slow at first, and then you feel it. Your mind relaxes and you roll with the beat. Thirty minutes later, the beat slows and comes to an end. You look up feeling that only five minutes have passed, ignited with a new and light energy. The release of stress carries over to the next day and your work week passes with ease having a new outlet for the stress. You continue your participation in the circle, improving your skills, meeting new people and practicing new life habits that lead to happier and healthier days.

We invite you to share your stories where you have experienced the magic in the comments area below.

Labels: about.x8.drums, djembe, Djembe.Rhythms, Magic, the.healing.power.of.the.drum

There have numerous studies on the effects of music on the fetus during pregnancy. Parents wonder if there is a prescription for the right amount of music or the perfect musical genre that will make their baby smarter or more musical. All studies so far are inconclusive however, it is a known fact that including music during the pregnancy period is a great way to develop a prenatal bond.

Although your baby's ears don't completely develop until the fifth month, fetuses respond to noise before that, which has led some researchers to believe there's more to hearing that the ears.

While there is no scientific evidence stating that exposure to music will increase the level of intelligence for a fetus, a study conducted in the UK has proven that music will boost memory. Babies that listen to music in the uterus respond to the music played for up to a year after birth. This shows that the fetus is capable of creating memories will still in the womb.

Using prenatal stimulation helps to connect you to your child before birth, so that the baby will be able to communicate. Playing familiar and soothing sounds, or even singing a simple lullaby will put your child at ease, and provide a grounding point after birth.

The protective amniotic fluid around your fetus conducts sound well, so your baby is able to clearly hear music and voices. Turning up the sound too much can disturb the fetus, so try leaving your stereo as background noise, or turning the volume down on the headphones if you're planning on placing them on the belly. It's not quite the period for restless nights; try not to over stimulate the baby with too much noise.

When choosing music for your baby to listen to, keep in mind that repetition is key. Any song that excites you is a great choice for your baby, as the hormones release from your happiness have a positive impact on the fetus. Beethoven and Mozart are always favorites, but you can listen to anything from Madonna to traditional African drum music, as long as there's enough repetition to increase the chances of memory production. Mixing up the types of music helps diversify your baby's tastes, and activates different areas of the brain. Baby Einstein offers a line of classical music CDs that you and your baby can enjoy together.

Singing a lullaby to your baby is a great opportunity to make a lasting connection. The fetus has an incredible ability to discern your state of mind, and reacts based on your mood.

Additionally, the baby will learn to recognize your voice, which will increase your bond after birth. It has been proven that babies can recognize their parent's voices, which creates a sense of familiarity postpartum. Babies that have been sung to in utero frequently sleep easier than babies with no prenatal stimulation, as the parent's voice is comforting.

Use moderation when stimulating your baby. Incorporating too much music can overstimulate the fetus. Pay attention to your own feelings.

If you have grown old of a song that you've played repeatedly, it is likely that your baby is bored with it as well. Make connecting emotionally with your fetus a special time for you and your family.

Sounds of a traditional drumbeat can be soothing for a mother and her baby. X8 Drums offers a collection of drum rhythm cd's ranging from beats of the cajon drum, conga drum, bongos and the djembe.

Labels: african.djembe, african.drumming, djembe, Djembe.Rhythms, the.healing.power.of.the.drum

Feel the beat right down to your toes: X8 Drums introduces new line of Elite Pro Djembe Drums

X8 Drums rolls out a new line of exclusive hand drums, unavailable anywhere else in the United States. Smooth in tone and visually stunning, the Elite Pro Djembe Drum will hypnotize you with it's sultry beat.

Watch video demonstrations of the new Elite Pro Djembe line and read more details below.









Whether you are a rocker with years of experience or a true novice to the ancient art of hand drumming, X8's new line of Elite Pro Djembe Drums is rhythmically calling your name. Hand made and custom carved out of the finest materials, the Elite Pro will give you the tone and tempo of the African jungle right in your own backyard.

When you are ready to experience X8's line of Elite Pro Djembe Drums, you will have to make the difficult choice between three varieties: King Cheetah, Midnight Elite, and Ivory Elite. The King Cheetah, not unlike its feline namesake, is a rare breed of Djembe drum for the customer seeking a specialty item. Exquisite carving not only gives this drum the appearance of the Cheetah, but also provides the user with the smooth sounds of the tropical forest. The Midnight Elite's solid black shell bellies its light echo, while the Ivory Elite’s natural mahogany shell is a visual stunner that provides outstanding sound.

Each Elite Pro Djembe Drum is hand carved and lathed. Not just any piece of hardwood is selected for these drums, and only 30% of the wood chosen for the Professional line meets the criteria for an Elite Pro. Each steel neck ring is welded through an intensive process that keeps your Elite Pro Djembe Drum tuned to your exact specifications. All wood is legally harvested and government certified, which means your drum not only sounds tight, it’s environmentally friendly.

X8 Drum’s Pro Gig bag is included with the purchase of each Elite Pro Djembe Drum. Useful for storage when you are not playing and as a carrier when you are, the gig bag is constructed from waterproof, durable nylon. It has extra pouches for any added baggage you may need to carry to your next drum circle.

Pricing and Availability
The Elite Pro Djembe Drum is exclusive to X8 Drums; you won't find the custom designs of these drums anywhere else in the United States. Priced at $349.00, there are only limited quantities available. The Elite Pro Djembe Drum is a true collector item and sure to become your cherished possession.

Labels: Dion Rivers, djembe, Performers

The differences between the various lines of X8 djembe drums have more to do with materials used, quality of wood and carving then skill level of the player. The pricing starts off lowest at the beginner line and gradually increases as you move up to the professional line. It doesn't mean that a beginner player should only be playing with a beginner djembe. In fact it would probably behoove the beginning djembe player to purchase a djembe that is at the professional level as this djembe will be more responsive when played.

As the line increases from Beginner to Elite Professional the following differences come into play:

Quality of Rope - The thickness and grade increase from Beginner to Elite Professional

Amount of Vertical Rope Runners - Increases from Beginner to Elite Professional. More vertical rope equates to stability of tuning and prevents the skin from slipping under pressure.

Wood Grade/Quality - All X8 Djembe drums are made from a solid piece of legally certified Mahogany wood however the quality and wood grade increases from Beginner to Elite Professional.

Wood Carving - The girth of the bowl size and thickness of the overall djembe becomes heavier and bigger as it increases from Beginner to Elite Professional. This leads to more range and bigger tone.

Ring System (Head) - Beginner and Intermediate X8 Djembe drums have a two ring forged steal system while Professional and Elite Professional djembes have a three ring system.

Skin (Playing surface) - All X8 Djembe drums are fitted with premium, hand selected goat skin. Beginner and some Intermediate djembe drums are fitted with a bleached, white goatskin while all Professional and Elite Professional drums are fitted with a natural (unprocessed) goatskin. Also, all Professional and Elite Professional djembe drums are specifically fitted with goatskin that was secured from the back hide. This is the thickest part of the animal which tends to be more durable and produces a warmer, deeper tone.

Labels: african.djembe, beginner.djembe, djembe, Djembe.Buying.Guide, djembe.drum, x8.drums

So you're in the market for a djembe drum but not sure if you should go with a wooden based shell or a synthetic shell. Well, you've stumbled onto the right site. Shopping for a djembe drum can at times be a bit overwhelming. There are such a wide variety of choices, sizes, and features that sometimes you lose sight of what you want. Hopefully after reading this blog you'll have a better understanding of the distinct differences between wood and synthetic djembe drums so you can make a more informed decision.

MATERIALS
One of the big differences between wood and synthetic djembe drums is the type of material used. Djembe drum shells are typically made of wood or fiberglass. Fiberglass drum shells are extremely durable and tend to more easily produce drum tones when played. This can make them idea for beginner player whose playing technique is not quite developed - sort of allowing more room to play with tones without completely missing the mark. Many experienced players also report that fiberglass djembes produce a brighter sound and will seek them out when playing in an amplified ensemble where they need to cut through the mix.

Synthetic shell djembes will be less affected by changing weather conditions, which means less tuning time, and may be a better choice for those planning to travel frequently with the drum or for classrooms where the instruments need to withstand a lot of use and mobility.

On the flip side, traditional wooden shells will have a warmer and typically fuller tone than fiberglass shell djembes. Most professional players will prefer the warmth and fuller sound of a wooden shell djembe as their primary drum. Most of our customers choose a wooden shell djembe as their first drum primarily because of the tradition behind them and the hand-carved craftsmanship that goes into each shell.

If you're planning on gigging out a bunch and transporting your djembe around town, keep in mind that wood tends to show scratches more easily, though both are very durable. A drum usually gets most of its scratches when traveling, so be sure to transport your drum in a djembe bag to reduce the chance of damage.

DRUMHEADS
Another difference you need to understand is the type of drumhead used. There are essentially two types of djembe drumheads. The first type is the more traditionally based goatskin drumhead. The tones produced by goatskins vary immensely based on the quality of skin used and whether or not the skin has been treated. Unbleached, thick skins tend to produce deep rich tones. The best way to identify a high quality goatskin drumhead is to look for a stripe down the middle of the drum. The stripe indicates the spine of the back of the goat which is the thickest and strongest skin available. Other skins may be very light or almost completely white. These skins have been treated with a bleaching product to remove all excess goat hair and pigmentations and typically produce more mid-range and higher tones. The lighter skins tend to tune up faster on rope based djembes.

The second type of drumhead is a synthetic head that was created to produce the tones of skin based on heads, however are more durable, in many cases are waterproof, and tend to last longer. In addition, synthetic heads are typically easier to play because they 'crack' a little louder and have a brighter tone when struck. Again, this could be beneficial for a beginner player who is still learning to play.


QUICK REFERENCE:

X8 Drums manufactures both traditional wooden shell djembes with goatskin drum heads and an exclusive line of fiberglass shell djembes with synthetic drumheads. As musicians ourselves, we are dedicated to developing true performance-ready instruments. And whether you choose wood or fiberglass, you can rest assured that sound quality is our number one priority.

Toca Percussion manufactures a PVC shell in their Toca Freestyle Djembe series. PVC is essentially a hard plastic.

All Remo djembes are manufactured using a synthetic shell called 'Acousticon' which is similar to fiberglass. Additionally, all Remo djembe heads are fitted with a synthetic material called 'Fiberskyn'.

Labels: african.djembe, african.djembe.drum, djembe, Djembe.Buying.Guide, djembe.drum, fiberglass.drums. wood.drums., remo.world.percussion, toca.percussion, toca.shell, x8.djembes

When shopping for a djembe drum it's important to consider the environmental ramifications of purchasing a djembe that uses illegal wood. Unfortunately, many djembe drums that are being imported into this country, from West Africa, are made from wood that has been illegally harvested. Read more about African djembe drums here.

Labels: african.djembe, djembe, Djembe.Buying.Guide, djembe.drum, jembe, rope.djembe, west.africa

We're looking for a professional djembe player to demo eight new African djembe drums that our shop (X8 Drums) is having custom designed and imported from Bali. We will be setting up in a recording studio in Manhattan and will be recording the sounds from each drum and video taping the session. The video sessions and audio will be published on our e-commerce website and used for other marketing purposes. The session will take place in one day.

We're looking for someone who is not only a very good player but is a good teacher as well. You will need to be able to effectively communicate into the camera and be personable. Also, there will be a segment where you will need to walk through the various steps on tuning and detuning a rope-based djembe. Knowing how to repair African djembes, including changing drumheads, would also be beneficial although not a requirement for this particular gig.

This is a paid job! Rates will be discussed over the phone and will be based on professionalism and experience. Please only apply if you are properly trained as a djembe player and have years of experience doing so. You must have proper technique and understand the fundamentals of playing this drum and as I mentioned be able to communicate effectively.

To be considered, please have a resume readily available and be able to send audio or video samples of you playing a djembe drum. Sending samples of you playing other hand drums or a drum kit is not acceptable. Also, you will need to live close to New York City. References are a plus.

Thanks, Mark

Labels: djembe, djembe.drum, x8.djembes, x8.drums

Proper care of your djembe drum will ensure that it's consistently performing well and looking great. One of the easiest and most beneficial tips is to detune your djembe when not using it for an extended period of time. Due to the high amount of tension that is placed on the skin, it's often a good idea to detune the drum from time to time. Detuning will prolong the longevity of the skin and most likely extend the life of your drumhead by another 50%. By adding or subtracting up to six knots of Mali weave you can tune or detune your drum. The more often you do it the quicker you'll get at adding or subtracting knots. So, learn now and get in the habit.

Another tip to properly take care of your djembe is to rub a small amount of olive oil on the skin if and when it becomes excessively dry. Adding a small amount of lotion will help improve the tonality of your drum and also assists in improving the life of the skin. If possible it's also a good idea to store your djembe in a cool, dry place and avoid leaving your drum exposed to direct sunlight. A good place to store your drum is in your djembe bag. Make it a habit of leaving your djembe in the bag when not using it. Which leads me to my third point. Invest in a quality djembe bag.

A djembe is an instrument and like any instrument should be properly maintained. This includes getting a bag for transporting your drum from place to place. If you plan on lugging your drum all over, and doing a lot of gigging, I would recommend investing in a bag that offers padded protection all the way around your drum. These bags are typically more expensive and offered only in a black color, however well worth the investment. If you don't plan on transporting your drum too frequently you can probably get by with a cloth bag. Cloth djembe bags typically don't offer padding; however do serve the general purpose of offering protection during the transporting of your drum. Another positive for cloth bags is they are usually offered in a variety of color combinations.

One more point about djembe bags. Be sure to invest in a bag that fits your drum snugly. A bag that is too large for your djembe will not offer the proper protection it should as compared with a bag that fits your drum tightly. Now with that being said I typically find that people too often purchase a bag that is too small for their drum. Make sure you measure you drum correctly by taking into consideration the entire head size not just the playing surface size when sizing up a djembe bag.

Your djembe is an investment. By adhering to some simple maintenance guidelines you will get years of enjoyment out of your drum by ensuring that it's performing and looking great!

Next: History of Djembe Drums

Labels: djembe, Djembe.Buying.Guide, drum.tuning, drumhead

Labels: african.djembe, djembe, Djembe.Buying.Guide, Djembe.Rhythms, hand.drumming, jembe, world.beat

The very first djembes made from staved Siam Oak as opposed to being carved from a solid piece of mahogany or hardwood.

There's a new djembe in town and it rocks! Back in November of 2006 Tycoon Percussion partnered up with Dancing Drum, a company based in Santa Barbara that specializes in the drum circle and educational market. They expressed to Tycoon the need for a high-quality but affordable djembe and so together they embarked on creating one, hence the name: "Tycoon Percussion - Dancing Drum Signature Series".

These drums are just absolutely amazing both sound-wise and through their appearance; I can say without any reservations that these djembes sound great! You can view some video clips of the drums being played right here.



They created a huge buzz at the NAMM show back in January, and were used in the annual Remo drum circle! As a testament to their quality, Remo's drum circle coordinator himself put these drums in the very front row.

Made from sustain-ably harvested Siam Oak hardwood, the Dancing Drum Signature Series Djembes are designed from the inside out, with sharp, defined contours, to produce tones that have a deep bass, rich mid-tones, and crisp highs. They're the very first djembes that are made from staved Siam Oak as opposed to being carved from a solid piece of mahogany or hardwood. Not only does this make the drums much more environmentally friendly, they make them sound great as well. The skins are pre-selected hand-shaved natural goatskin so every kind of material used in the production of this drum is absolutely top-notch. That is what separates them from other drums on the market.

Available in three sizes, the Dancing Drum Signature Series Djembes offer an exceptional combination of professional quality, value, and sound.

Next: 7. How To Start A Drum Circle

Labels: african.djembe, dancing.drum.signature.series, djembe, Djembe.Buying.Guide, drum, goatskin.head, NAMM, siam.oak, tycoon.percussion

What began forty years ago with a simple set of bongos, has evolved into the most complete collection of percussion instruments available today. The Latin Percussion collection of products is available in multiple brands, each with their own purpose to suit different types of players. To assist you with making the correct purchase we have provided the following breakdown with descriptions of the various LP brands.

1.) LP brand instruments are the finest available in the world. No one can match LP's reputation for quality through uniqueness in design with authenticity in sound. LP brand products are made for professional percussionists and drummers who demand the highest quality available.

2.) The LP Matador brand of percussion is designed for the intermediate percussionist or aspiring pro. It is the natural stepping-stone on the way from beginner to professional level playing. Matador features some very exciting styles of congas and bongos as well as other percussion items and hardware at competitive prices.

3.) The CP/ Aspire brand of drums and percussion is perfect for schools and beginners. It includes everything from congas and bongos to drum sets and hardware and offers quality products at affordable prices.

4.) World Beat - A collection of hard to find drums and percussion instruments from around the world. From congas, djembes and dumbeks to gongs, rainsticks and thumb pianos, theses instruments are for both the professional musician and the music enthusiast.

5.) LP Music Collection - A collection of authentically crafted percussion instruments that captivate musicians and music lovers of all ages. All instruments are presented in colorful, attractive packaging that includes product history and playing instructions, making them ideal gifts.

6.) The LP RhythMix brand features a full line of percussion toys that meet the exacting standards one would expect from the world leader of percussion, Latin Percussion. From kid-sized congas and bongos to hand percussion, LP RhythMix products are perfectly suited for introducing children to the exciting world of percussion.

LP Congas

LP Matador Congas

LP Aspire Congas

Labels: Aspire, conga, CP, djembe, latin.percussion, latin.percussion.brands, LP, LP.Matador, LP.Music.Collection, LP.Rhythmix, Matador, world.beat

New York psychotherapist and drum facilitator Robert Lawrence Friedman, writes in his 2000 soft-cover book, "The Healing Power of the Drum: A Psychotherapist Explores the Healing Power of Rhythm," how individuals through drumming can attain psychological, physiological and spiritual wellbeing. Clocking in at 208 pages, the book is both a personal account and an introductory guide to the subject in which he quotes many leading authorities on their experience drumming in different settings.

"The Healing Power of the Drum" is an easy to read and non-technical book that presents readers with ways they can achieve increased health benefits from the activity of drumming and shows innovative ways to enhance their own wellness. The author explores drumming and drums, such as the djembe and conga, from a multidimensional perspective, explaining the drum's ability to release anger, create joy, alter brain rhythms, induce trance, and create empowerment. The book includes cutting-edge research how Alzheimer patients have been able to stay focused for short periods with a drum in their hands. The book also discusses research into brainwave studies concluding how drumming has positively increased attention span.

Robert Friedman is currently president of Stress Solutions Inc., providing stress-management seminars to corporate clients and is also affiliated with the St. Barnabas Health Care System in New Jersey.

Labels: book.review, conga, djembe, drum, drumming, robert.friedman, the.healing.power.of.the.drum

Below are some quick but useful tips on starting a drum circle. Good luck!!

1. There is a lot of information already out there on the web about how to start a drum circle. Google it.

2. Buy a drum - You'll need some sort of hand-drum or percussion instrument in order to start or join in a drum circle. A djembe is a good, reasonably inexpensive and practical choice as a beginner drum, and you may also consider investing in a few small but cheap alternate percussion instruments, such as egg shakers or claves.

2. Advertise - flyers in your local drum stores, used cd stores, used book stores, holistic groceries, massage schools, coffee shops - places where new-age types will hang out.

3. Be patient. It takes time to grow these things. Don't worry if you don't have a lot of people. Get started with just a few and meet once or twice per month. Grow it gradually.

4. Get help. Don't try to do it all on your own. Hold an interest meeting for the first session and get volunteers to help you spread the word and shoulder the responsibility of organizing, advertising, coordinating space, etc.

5. Network with all the other drummers in your area - spend time chatting up the guys working in the drum stores; they'll help you get the word out. Here is an excellent resource in finding and hooking up with other drummers in your area: Drum Circle Meetup.

6. Attend local events and festivals and play outdoors every chance you get. People will ask what you're doing, at which point you can give them more information. Never run out of flyers! I had Kinko's run me little quarter sheet tear off pads. I can leave them on counters in local handouts and easily tear off one to give to anyone interested.

7. Start a Myspace group or a Yahoo group so that you don't have to manage an email list on your own computer. Let it do the work for you.

Always remember to have fun and keep an open invitation to new drummers!

Labels: djembe, Djembe.Buying.Guide, drum, drum.circle, drummers, hand.drum, hand.drumming, percussion.instrument

The following is an unbelievable story I recently read regarding women in Africa who are literally being disowned by family members for playing the drums. That's what many members of the Amazones (The Women Master Drummers of Guinea) have to deal with in their native African homeland of Guinea.

The instrument of choice in The Amazones performance is the djembe. Traditionally played by men in Guinea, the djembe is forbidden for women to even touch. Several of the women in the group have been shunned by their families, where in one case a mother of one of the djembe players not only disowned her but told her to look for another job, and even burnt her performance costume. It's wild to think that this is happening in the 21st century. "The mind couldn't get it that the woman decided to do this," said the Amazones' founding director Mamoudou Conde.

Conde said he encouraged the Amazones, a group of up to 14 women, to push past the criticisms and to stick with the djembe. "One of the reasons for bringing the girls on this instrument for me, is really to speak out," Conde said. "Part is a fight for African women and their rights." Conde added that after nearly a decade of performing worldwide, the women's families are starting to see inspiration in the group's determination, and even young girls are becoming exposed to the instrument.

"Many girls now are picking up some of these instruments," Conde said. "They see their mother doing something they want to do. This really gives girls courage and ability to do what they want to do.

Labels: african.djembe, amazones, djembe, drum, drummers, guinea, percussion.instrument

Virtually all percussion instruments that are manufactured today are made in Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok's close proximity to the raw material and skilled labor needed to manufacture percussion instruments make it an ideal location. Brands such as Tycoon, Latin Percussion, Toca, Meinl, and Fat Congas to name a few are all manufactured in Thailand. In fact Latin Percussion and Toca are subsidiaries of Kaman Music. However, only Tycoon owns its own factory in Bangkok. Most other brands rent factory space in Bangkok to manufacture their line of percussion instruments. The factories rented are in many cases generically set-up to produce all sorts of products - not just percussion instruments. That's not to say that these brands aren't quality, it's just the reality.

Because of Tycoon's specialized factory for making percussion instruments, there are some cases where companies commission Tycoon to manufacture their percussion instruments where they are eventually shipped to the states and sold to you under a different brand name.

Tycoon Percussion has been manufacturing high-end percussion instruments in their own factory for 20 plus years and has just recently decided to market the Tycoon Percussion brand in the U.S. market. We decided to carry the Tycoon percussion line because of their excellent reputation and experience in making top quality instruments. The Tycoon Percussion brand name is very well known and respected in Europe and Asia and is now on its way to becoming a top competitor in the U.S market. We're excited to offer these high quality instruments directly to you at the lowest guaranteed prices. Enjoy!!

Labels: bangkok, bongo, conga, djembe, fat.congas, latin.percussion, meinl, percussion.instrument, tambourine, toca, tycoon.percussion

For over 22 years Tycoon Percussion has been manufacturing high-end, top quality, percussion instruments for musicians worldwide. They have over 150 skilled craftsman creating all types of percussion instruments including bongos, congas, djembes, timbales, and cajons to name a few. Tycoon currently produces around 40,000 sets of percussion instruments each year and venture to all the main music exhibitions including NAMM.

Tycoon instruments are known by professional percussionists (such as Virgilio Figueroa, David Stanford, Tamasito Cruz, Inocento Alvarez, and Arnaldo "Arnie" Silva) to deliver pure, crisp sound every time they are played. Additionally, Tycoon percussion is known for creating beautiful sought-after glossy finishes that catch the eye of even the most critical player. They continuously change and develop a unique array of colors and patterns to constantly bring excitement to their line of percussion based instruments.

Tycoon Percussion has consistently been growing since the mid-80's when they first began producing their line of top quality hand drums and percussion instruments. Their percussion products are sold in every major country worldwide and are now finally available in the United States. In 2006, Tycoon established a U.S. distribution center in Reno, NV and most recently opend a new U.S. office in Pasadena, CA.

Tycoon Djembe

Tycoon Bongos

Tycoon Congas

Labels: bongo, cajon, conga, djembe, NAMM, percussion.instrument, timbales, tycoon.percussion, world.percussion

Remo has long been known for building quality drumheads for drumsets. For nearly 50 years, Remo has been consistently breaking new grounds in the drumhead industry leaving all competitors in the dust. Ask any professional drummer what drumheads they use and most will answer Remo. They have roughly 77 patents on drumhead technology and continually lead the industry. Back in the 60's drumhead sizes were of various sizes and there wasn't much consistency in construction and tone. Remo changed all that when they figured out how to standardize drumhead sizes and additionally began investing aggressively into R&D on all things drumming

They eventually segued into World Percussion with same idea. Build top quality drumheads for world percussion based instruments and "they will come." Remo essentially revolutionized hand drumming by bringing modern drumhead technologies and performance to traditional world percussion instruments. Due to the huge diversity of hand drums, Remo eventually developed 12 differently shaped world percussion drumheads using Fiberskyn 3, Sude, and Nuskyn to fit most of today's popular drums. Their drumhead technologies are rugged, have consistency, and are weather resistant. Remo's worldwide collection of hand drums includes: Djembe, Bongo (Bongo drum buying guide), and Conga from countries including Africa, Asia, Brazil, and Cuba.

Remo is the benchmark by which other competitors manufacture their products. Would you believe that Remo heads are found on over 90% of drumsets - it's true I looked it up. I'm talking dw, Pearl, Ludwig and Yamaha. Simply put - they're the best!

Labels: bongo, conga, djembe, drumhead, hand.drum, hand.drumming, remo, remo.world.percussion, world.percussion