How to: Tune a South African Drum, Wooden djembe, Bongo

This guy sold me a couple of drums from his very high-end super fly flea market stand somewhere in South Africa (ca. 2001) and through in the tuning lesson very cool cat. I'm locating some info on him and how you can contact him to buy drums and give him a plug here... if you're him let me know :)


This Clip including but not limited to the audio and video is the sole property of Stephen C. Lancaster all rights reserved; Exclusively owned

Category:

Music

Tags:

• How
• to
• tune
• South
• African
• Drum
• Wooden
• djembe
• Bongo
• teach
• instructions
• learn
• tighten
• skin
• head

[deccbi]

This isnt a south afric an drum...:/

[jimbe1969]

On this particular drum, the verticals are far too loose.

Tuning tip: when weaving to the right, if you go over 2, under 1 on the right, over one on the left and under both...the weave will lock into place. There is never a need for an 'anchor'.

[jimbe1969]

@icemat9 Rope tuning on a Djembe, IS regular tuning. I have never come across a mechanically tuned 'djembe' that I liked. I repair, sell and perform with Djembe for a living, and in my opinion, rope tuning is the only way. It takes some effort and practice, but what is worthwhile that doesn't? In my experience, people who buy a real drum, as opposed to a remo or the like, are much happier with their purchase down the line.

[jimbe1969]

@icemat9 Not sure if you still need a response, but I thought I'd post for anyone else who might have the same questions.

[clue829]

now I can buy a djembe :D

[headbangernd]

just tuned my rope drum for the first time. pretty simple.

[Aum420]

rope tuned are so cool and authentic. unless, or until the head busts. Then it is very complicated to track down, a head, and completly untie, and restring it. There aren't any videos on here to go on either. Just about tuning. This is the most helpful video that I have seen. Plus tuning is easy,once you spend 10 minutes learning.

Key tuned, are equally as cool if convience is what you seek.

My advice is to get one of each. ;)

Just spend your time deciding which one you want to get first!

[icemat9]

alright is it really hard to tune? because i am thinking about buying a rope tuned djembe but i am also thinking of buying a regular tuned one... i am not sure what to get.. is there a sound difference between the sound? please someone get back at me because i am not sure which one to get

[marisabellas]

thank you sweet heart :-)

[gerntrash]

Thanks very much to both of you.