Djembe and dundun rhythms for West African drumming and dance
How to Tune Your Djembe Head
Unless you have tightening bolts, like a conga, your djembe head will be strung with nylon cord. One of the most frequently asked questions about djembes is, "How do I tighten the skin on the head?"
A djembe that is poorly tuned doesn't sound very good. The bass is deep but boomy; the slaps dull; the tones uninspiring. On the other hand, a drum head that is tuned too tight and high-pitched may be more than is needed in the situation. Ideally the highest-pitched djembe in a group will be the one playing lead and solo parts, to mark the changes in the dance. The higher pitch and sharper slaps will help the calls and breaks carry over the other drums and will be easier for the dancers to hear.
3 Keys to Tuning a Djembe
1. Be careful not to tighten your djembe head too much all at once, or you risk stretching it too thin and risking a tear. Especially be wary of changes in temperature and humidity, as a tight djembe head in a hot car or in desert conditions could blow out as it dries and shrinks. Also beware of tightening it too much if it's still damp after re-heading. It's better to wait until it's perfectly dry before the final tightening and tuning. When you need a tuneup, try adding just 2-3 knots at a time and testing the results.
2. Before tuning with extra knots (known as the "Mali weave"), make sure the vertical lengths of cord are stretched as taut as possible; a pair of vice grips can help by holding each loop steady at the top ring as you pull. It also helps to add leverage with a tool that can be as simple as a stout drumstick or hammer handle, for looping and pulling down on each vertical as you tighten it.
3. After tuning with the horizontal knots, you can fine-tune by tapping down on the rings (to seat the head more snugly) at various points around the head. For this a good tool to use is a rubber-headed mallet available from automotive supplies.
You will be surprised how much better your drumming can sound when you have a well-tuned djembe head! Just be sensible about it; trust your intuition about how much is enough; and take care not to have all the djembes in your group tuned at the same or similar high pitch. The polyrhythms of the various accompaniment parts in tradtional West African rhythms are best heard on djembes with varying pitches, just as with the dununs (kenkeni, sangban, and dununba).
Roots Jam 3:
Arrangements for West African Drum & Dance
This all-new collection of rhythms helps you take the next step in playing West African drums for dancers, in a group, or just for fun. Learn basic accompaniment parts, selected bass drum (dunun) and bell patterns and variations, and traditional djembe solos. Roots Jam 3 adds to the previous Roots Jam books in offering complete and cohesive ensemble arrangements for 16 popular dance rhythms. Included are lessons and exercises to help you understand basic downbeat, upbeat and offbeat timing; choose from available bell and clave patterns; and learn both traditional and improvised lead djembe solos. Practice listening to and playing parts with the optional audio CD. Also featured is notation for 27 original compositions by Nowick Gray, with audio tracks on a second CD.
Roots Jam:
Collected Rhythms for Hand Drum and Percussion
This unique resource contains hundreds of rhythms from the African, Latin and rock traditions, along with inspired improvisations. Easy notation, useful for all levels, from beginners to performers. Includes lesson guide, arrangements, popular styles, practice exercises, and a list of other resources. Fully indexed, 80 pages.
Roots Jam 2:
West African and Afro-Latin Drum Rhythms
An updated (2002) and expanded collection of over 125 traditional West African, Afro-Latin, and Middle Eastern rhythms, arranged for ready reference for individual learning or ensemble play. Covers djembe and dunun/bell parts and variations, in box (grid) notation for clear display of timing. Includes unique exercises, generic patterns and in-depth study of polyrhythm. Optional full-length audio CD with 28 demo and practice tracks.
Nowick Gray has been a teacher and writer for over three decades, and a drummer since 1990. He currently teaches and performs with a number of drum and percussion groups in Victoria, B.C.
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