Djembe Lesson: The Djembe as a Drum Set by Mark Haas

[Nirgendsburg]

Instructional videos are on YouTube about how to tighten a rope-tuned djembe, just search on 'mali weave'.

[Nirgendsburg]

Some great ideas for adding some chops while playing in a drum circle. Thanks!

[Nirgendsburg]

I also have a rope-tuned wooden Toca with skin head. Djembes are not supposed to have that "ringing" open sound, and the bass (center slaps) should be more resonant. Two reasons: 1) Drum head needs to be tighter. 2) Trad. djembes have spiral grooves carved inside the drum body to damp the sustain, while Tocas are smooth bored, so they ring like that (but tightening helps). Wikipedia has an excellent article, wish I had read it before I bought my djembe.

[Horaciow14]

Awesome lesson. You speak a beginner's language :) thanks

[Bahro1978]

The lesson was very helpful, clear and informative and I am very happy to have found it! Could you do more for absolute beginners who have as yet a limited sense of rhythm? Do you use the djembe to accompany guitar by any chance?

[Dubz229]

Hey man, thanks for taking the time to do the lesson. It really helped especially since you used drumset concepts. I've played set for 8 years and I just grabbed the djembe to play in quiet settings and this has really helped me!

[cocotheflyingnut]

Awesome dude!

[Kumaraditya2210]

All these years I have been criticized for playing djembe like that...at last I found someone thinking simliar :)

Have you tried Purdie shuffles on djembe? It gives just an amazing feel...if u havnt tried so far, try it out...

[steffyjoxox]

yuh learn by fillin free time with drum time. favorite quote "it gives it more uh.. flayver" so white.

[yogeshwagh53]

you can do better!

[chessdude67]

Thank You. I just bought a small one. I'm on to part two. Hope to see more videos from you.

peace 

[porcusdiu]

4:07 --> WooW !!!

[jeremyjondale]

Great video!

[hazteunavaina]

Thanks for your explain!! grateful!!

[danyiluska]

Nice.

I actually like the instrument, but don't really like the original djembe music, what i heard and downloaded. I prefer middle eastern style. Your line is an optional one for many ppl.

[fennels27]

thnks man you really helped me get the sounds i wanted

[xXRASHEEDXx]

aw i wanted to post some videos like these.. :( o well i guess ill put guitar vids up instead lol

[alexvollrathsmith]

Thanks a lot. Very helpful.

[BruisedEyeSockets]

You rock

[JohnnyShoes802]

Great job. I liked your presentation and will look for your other Videos

[MisterMarimba]

This makes me miss my djembe, but it reminds me of the TV show "Friends" when Phoebe tries to teach Joey to play guitar, lol.

[MorganThen]

Mark, your style of playing is very similar to mine. I mostly use it as a replacement for the drums, mainly because it can emulate the drum pretty well and yet having it's unique set of tones. :D but im picking up some traditional beats from Trinidad and Tobago.

There is this one rhythm called the Kuku, i played it so hard (it's all snares) and I think I injured a tendon. :S Great job man! I like your djembe. Its hard to find a good one here.

That is why I plan to order from LP. :D

[Kzigge]

Ooo, makes me wanna buy a Djembe...

Haha.

:P

Awesome video.

Laters Mang!

-KyleZenjo

[BMarieProductions]

out of a tree trunk, That is awesome!

..that bass tone? ..Amazing!

I had no idea... so many possiblities, Truly a Million things ;)

[Kristopher1129]

Sweeeet man. Thanks for that. Very helpful. The break down of all the ways you use the djembe definitely helps make it appear obtainable. Now I know what to practice....word.

[markhaasmusic]

No I went to college as a percussion and composition major. I have been exposed to a lot of different percussion instruments. So I guess I just took all my knowledge and applied it to the djembe. Thanks!

[markhaasmusic]

Thanks for the input. You are correct, this is certainly not authentic djembe technique. I did in fact earn a BFA in Music as a percussionist and these authentic techniques are very important, but also designed to accommodate african drumming (drum circles, african drum and dance ensembles etc). In this video, I am addressing a completely different style of music, which translates into a completely different technique.

[comibama]

@MrAlessandroRiontino Since you already went to college to learn authentic djembe playing, did they teach you how to make 1 drum sound like an entire drumset? Or are you just jealous because you can't play the techniques he introduced in this video? If you can make 1 drum sound like an entire drumset, then I think you should just thank Mark. Sorry to be cruel but your style sucks!

[ccendana]

have you ever had djembe and ham?