Need Help with a Djembe in the South of England

Sammyboy · Newbie Alert Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 2

I had a djembe made for me in India. It looks a little different to your average, because it was turned on a lathe, not handmade Ghanaian style, and it's really nice and big. Trouble is, the shop had no idea how to string it up or put a head on it.

I had been shown how by a Swedish guy, and once I'd altered the rings they made me (both the same size at first!), I had a go. Disaster. I've gone through three skins, can't get it anywhere near tight enough. I suspect I'm using the wrong rope, and that I'm screwing up the lacing too. I'm looking either for an individual that can help me, or a business, or shop, or whatever, that I can pay to put a head on it. I'm in Southampton.

babse · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:22 am Post subject:

What happens when you tighten them.
1) The skin tears apart?
2) Or you just can't tighten the skin enough?

1) You use a skin of bad quality. Did you took the hair off yourself? If you did, you might have cut in the skin with the razor of whatever you used. Also, look for sharp edges on the djembe.

2) You use a wrong technique. Search this percussion session, there's a link to a great instruction website.
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Sammyboy · Newbie Alert Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 2

I can't tighten it enough. I did manage to cut a skin whilst shaving it also, but I replaced that. I tried to do the Mali Weave, as shown on that website. I wonder whether the rope I used is too stretchy?

babse · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:08 am Post subject:

If you lay the djembé on the ground, and put one foot on it, you should be able to tighten it enough. the best moment to pull is when the cord you're pulling is turned around the previous cord. Wear gloves to prevent hand injuries.
If the rope is a bit stretchy, could indeed be the cause the skin loosens up again every time.
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Djembefola.com · Not So Newbie Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 5

Do a search for the "mali weave" it's a traditional way of roping the djembe. If you don't have it roped correctly, no amount of pulling will do you any favours...