The defining moment of African music comes in the form of percussion instruments. It is the common theme in all special events in an African community . During the old times, African music was used to bring African people together, they often held social gathering, social meetings and ritual events. Since participation is important in the community, the Africans would play percussion instruments, the most rhythmic musical instruments they had. Here are some African percussion instruments that you would likely come across in any part of the community.
The Djembe Drum
The djembe is a drum with an animal skin covered head. The djembe drum has a thicker top half coupled with a thinner lower half making the drum resemble a goblet. The body is typically made from an echoing log which gives the drum the ability to produce various sounds. The head is secured over the body using ropes although, nowadays, some makers use steel hoops, nylon core ropes, and rubbers in tightening and tuning the drum. Djembe is used as the centrepiece of the percussion section. It is able to produce varying tones and tunes depending upon the size of the instrument. It is played by striking the drum head with fingers or hands to create various tones.
Udu
In the African language, "udu" is a type of drinking vessel and it is usually made of clay. This former drinking vessel features an extra hole in its body to produce sounds. The sound it creates can be likened to that created by a glass bottle. In order to play the udu, your one hand has to cover the top hole while your other hand partially covers the other hole. A wide range of varying tones would then be produced.
Slit Drums
Slit drums is another common percussion instrument in Africa. This kind of drum is typically made up of hollowed wood or carved wood so it can produce a sound. These drums can be made of logs or bamboo. Drums and mallets are, oftentimes, used to strike the drum in order to produce a sound. Just like udu, the slit drum also produces a rainbow of tones.
Double Bells
Double bells are actually made up of two metallic bells forged together to look like a horseshoe. These percussion instruments are played with mallets in order to produce two kinds of sounds. In the African percussion instruments, double bells are used to mark measures and keep time for the percussion players.
Aside from these four, other percussion instruments commonly used by the Africans hand-shakers, wooden xylophones, and lamellophones (finger pianos).
The Djembe Drum
The djembe is a drum with an animal skin covered head. The djembe drum has a thicker top half coupled with a thinner lower half making the drum resemble a goblet. The body is typically made from an echoing log which gives the drum the ability to produce various sounds. The head is secured over the body using ropes although, nowadays, some makers use steel hoops, nylon core ropes, and rubbers in tightening and tuning the drum. Djembe is used as the centrepiece of the percussion section. It is able to produce varying tones and tunes depending upon the size of the instrument. It is played by striking the drum head with fingers or hands to create various tones.
Udu
In the African language, "udu" is a type of drinking vessel and it is usually made of clay. This former drinking vessel features an extra hole in its body to produce sounds. The sound it creates can be likened to that created by a glass bottle. In order to play the udu, your one hand has to cover the top hole while your other hand partially covers the other hole. A wide range of varying tones would then be produced.
Slit Drums
Slit drums is another common percussion instrument in Africa. This kind of drum is typically made up of hollowed wood or carved wood so it can produce a sound. These drums can be made of logs or bamboo. Drums and mallets are, oftentimes, used to strike the drum in order to produce a sound. Just like udu, the slit drum also produces a rainbow of tones.
Double Bells
Double bells are actually made up of two metallic bells forged together to look like a horseshoe. These percussion instruments are played with mallets in order to produce two kinds of sounds. In the African percussion instruments, double bells are used to mark measures and keep time for the percussion players.
Aside from these four, other percussion instruments commonly used by the Africans hand-shakers, wooden xylophones, and lamellophones (finger pianos).
About the Author:
The djembe drum is a particularly popular African instrument which is regularly used in schools, drumming circles and music groups.
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