2/11/2012

What Size Djembe Drum Do I Need?

By Ruth Williams


Which djembe drum size you need will be dependent on your particular height, drum playing ability and whether you will be mainly playing the drum whilst standing up or sitting down. Djembe drums can be played whilst sitting down and also standing up - with the aid of a djembe strap.

The djembes with a 12" head are generally best suited for adults. Children should go for a 7" to 10" djembe drum. A good indicator of what size is right for you is how far your hand reaches across the drum head if the heel of your hand is on the rim, your fingers should just cross the centre.

The height of the djembe is also an important consideration as it needs to sit comfortably between the legs. Your arms also need to be able to reach the drum head with ease without having to over stretch. Some of the very agile are able to control the position of the drum with their legs, and actually move it, with smooth, minute squeezing and loosening motions of the knees against the drum's body. By picking up the drum with your knees at the same time as playing, the tone and volume can be altered to add explosive bursts of sound.

Once you have purchased your drum it will take a few sessions of playing to feel comfortable with it. You should practice playing the drum both sitting down and standing up.This will ensure it is the correct one for you, it will soon become apparent if it isn't. This follows the thinking behind the "Suzuki" means of learning music that was once popular. Little children learned how to play the violin and become acquainted with the musical instrument by walking around with it while playing. It takes time to be totally at one with your instrument. Size is an important factor to get right. The djembe is truly a spiritual instrument and one does not want to start off with it in an awkward relationship.

Once the size of djembe which you need has been determined the next consideration is style. Also whether you prefer a traditional wooden djembe or the more modern synthetic type.




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