Djembe Questions

The Queen · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:21 am Post subject: Djembe Questions

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I just got a Djembe for Christmas, it's key tuned and the head is goat skin. I've been playing the bongos for a few years now, but I'm really still a beginner and this is my first crack at a djembe. I'm not really sure how high it should be tuned as I've only played one a couple of times before, that's my first question. My big question though, is about the ring. It does have a ring to it that I'd like to minimize. I've heard of putting weatherstriping on the inside somewhere, but is that the best thing to do?

Di

007david · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 7:48 pm Post subject:

It should sound very deep when struck with a cupped hand in the centre, and decently higher pitched when on the edge.

As for the ring, place the djembe head up on the carpet. Tap the centre, and see what kind of overtones you hear. When that overtone is minimized, then you should be okay. Search for the Drum Tuning bible and some of those tips to help you tune the drum itself.
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Blaze Launcher · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject:

I happen to love those multitude of overtones. Gives the djembe a very distinct sound. Most likely your head is made of a synthetic material, judging by the fact that it's key-tuned. This material is caracterized by much more "ring" than goatskin heads. So it's in the nature of your drum to ring. I'm not imposing my opinion on you though. If you like a more traditional organic tone, go for it.

To eliminate the higher tones you might want to muffle closer to the edge, since the edge is where the highest tones come from, the center being the part that produces the lowest tone.

You can see where the unwanted tones are coming from by striking the drum near the edge to get a normal open tone, but then, starting in the middle, slowly slide your other hand across the surface of the drum towards the edge as you continue to strike it. You should hear a dampening of the tones that are generated where your fingers are touching, ranging from lower in the middle to very high pitched at the very egde.

I would probably use the tape idea, on the inside of the head if you can reach into the drum that far (might be a little hard with a big drum), at the distance from the center where your unwanted tones are. Assuming it's the very high pitched ones, apply the tape around the edge of the head.

Hope that helps. Wink

Have fun with you new drum!