for beginners
 
simple tips to play your djembe
 
click on Bass, tone & slap for pictures and sound files
make sure to check end of page for some great practice and warm ups!  
ONLINE CLASSES for Beginners ; learn Rhythms online, Cd's also available on request 


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The Djembe
How to Play

 

How to Play

There are many sounds that can be produced on the djembe, the main three are

Bass

Tone

Slap.

In some notations these are simply referred to as B,T, S, and b, t, s. This is the notation that I use and prefer as it is simple and uncomplicated. These notation were developed by Babatunde Olatunji. They also have a vocal "Gun Go do" sounds scroll down to bottom of page for some great warm up and practice exercises !

click on titles for pictures & audio

 
Bass (B-b) Vocal - Gun - Dun :
 
 
This is played in the Centre of the drum, with the fingers closed (not too tight) and the hand flat.(To make sure you get an even sound practice as if lifting your hand from something hot !!) Generally you will get different bass from your dominant and less dominant hand, this is perfectly normal, they will probably always have a slight difference, in sound. It is always important not to "flam" the fingers (a flam is when one beat is played just before another) So as you always get a clear sharp sound. Vocal sound is Gun (right) or Dun (left)
 
 
Tone (T-t) Vocal - Go - Do :
 
 
This is played at the edge or the rim of the drum, again with the fingers closed, and the hand flat , unlike the bass the whole hand does not make contact, instead,only the length of the fingers. Again watch out for the difference in sound and also the "flam"
 
 
Slap (S-s) Vocal-Pa-Ta :
 
 
This is the more difficult of the three strokes and needs a lot of practice, it is played in the same position as tone, except that the fingers are open, and the hand cupped slightly. In my experience there are a lot of people and a lot of books that will tell you how to play this, in my opinion get the basics right, and don't hurt your hand !
 
 
 
Practice
 
 
1. Always take of rings, bracelets and watches before playing, as they could cut the skin
 
2 Sit in a comfortable position,and relax, rhythms do not flow from a tense body
 
3.Make sure the djembe is in the correct position (that you can easily reach it)
 
4 Play the three different strokes with both hands, paying attention to an even sound, and that your hands are not getting too sore.
 
5. Be patient
 
6 ENJOY !
 
 

This section is reproduced from www.rhythmweb.com

The Djembe Page
beginners' exercises

These exercises are for beginners, to teach basic facility on the drum. These patterns are very simple, but they are the building blocks of many more advanced rhythms. They make good warm ups, and they prepare you for advanced work.

They also help to strengthen and even out the hands, so that either side can lead when necessary. Evenness and distinction between the tones is crucial. Go at a comfortably slow pace, listening carefully to your tone.

stu's note: As presented here, these rhythms are culturally non-specific, and are not designed to teach repertoire or style, but technique. They also work for ashiko, to a certain degree on conga, and on many other drums as well, any drum or surface on which the 3 basic tones can be achieved..
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
.
.
.
pa
ta
.
.
tone
.
.
go
do
.
.
go
do
bass
Gun
Dun
.
.
.
.
.
.
in 4
1
+
2
+
3
+
4
+

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
.
pa
ta
.
.
pa
ta
tone
.
.
.
.
go
do
.
.
bass
Gun
Dun
.
.
.
.
.
.
in 4
1
+
2
+
3
+
4
+

It's good to play these remaining steady at various tempos, from very slow to fast, and also starting slowly and speeding up gradually as much as possible while remaining relaxed. Then slow up gradually until you are at the starting tempo. Watch and listen to what the drum and your hands are telling you.

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
.
.
.
pa
ta
tone
.
.
go
do
.
.
bass
Gun
Dun
.
.
.
.
in 6
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
.
pa
ta
.
.
tone
.
.
.
.
go
do
bass
Gun
Dun
.
.
.
.
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
.
.
.
.
.
tone
.
.
.
do
go
do
bass
Gun
Dun
Gun
.
.
.
.
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

This one, a warmup given at a workshop by djembe artist Malang Bayo, starts with a pick up (played the first time around only). It leads with the left bass tone (dun). You can hear the two within the six, as well as the three:

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
.
.
.
.
pa
ta
.
.
.
go
do
.
.
.
(Gun)
Dun
.
.
.
.
gun
pickup
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

More "Groups of three" - Triplet exercises

Groups of three notes are very beneficial for beginners, because they lead with one hand, then the other, working the weak hand. Practice these slowly, each one for at least 10 to 20 minutes without stopping, paying careful attention to your time & tone. Articulate clearly the difference between bass, tone, and slap:

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
.
.
.
.
.
tone
.
do
go
.
go
do
bass
Gun
.
.
Dun
.
.
 
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
pa
.
.
ta
.
.
tone
.
do
go
.
go
do
bass
.
.
.
.
.
.
 
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
ta
pa
.
pa
ta
tone
.
.
.
.
.
.
bass
Gun
.
.
Dun
.
.
 
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
ta
pa
.
pa
ta
tone
go
.
.
do
.
.
bass
.
.
.
.
.
.
 
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
.
.
.
.
.
tone
go
.
.
do
.
.
bass
.
Dun
Gun
.
Gun
Dun
 
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
pa
.
.
ta
.
.
tone
.
.
.
.
.
.
bass
.
Dun
Gun
.
Gun
Dun
.
1
2
3
4
5
6

The rhythm below, called by many names, is a component of several exciting Manding rhythms. Learn it well as transcribed here, with the ghost strokes (so light, they cannot be heard, only felt.) on 2,5 and 6...

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
pa
.
.
ta
.
.
tone
.
.
go
.
.
.
bass
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
2
3
4
5
6

 

.
R
L
R
L
R
L
slap
.
ta
pa
.
pa
ta
tone
go
.
.
do
.
.
bass
.
.
.
.
.
.
 
1
2
3
4
5
6
 
there is loads more info on the web, go to google and have a look !
 
 
 
 

 

John Barron
because of spam just put john in front of "@fundrums.com" to send me an email :)
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