Music College Musical Instruments Museum
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The Hidden Past and Exciting Future of the Djembe Drum by Chris Barton
The Djembe is a skin covered drum which resembles the shape of a large goblet and is made to be played best with bare hands and a lot of force behind it. Most Djembe Drums are traditionally carved and each have their own meanings and even stories behind them if you were to translate them. Djembe Drums are actually named after their original wood source, the Djem tree, which is largely found in Mali, which is in West Africa, and was at one time used in the making of Djembe shells. Dating back to the 13th Century, the djembe is the drum of the Mandinka people, and the great Mali empire. The word djembe is pronounced (JEM-bay). It is sometimes called jembe, djimbe, yembe, or jenbe. In Susu it is called sanbanyi. (The Susu are descendants of the thirteenth century Mali empire, who mostly live in Guinea now, but are spread throughout west african nations.)The traditional way in Africa to play a Djembe Drum is actually by standing but in a lot of photos you will see someone sitting while playing it. This may be a cultural thing as the Djembe Drum has gained a lot of widespread popularity in other parts of the planet. In the oldest known method, however, shoulder straps are worn to support a player’s shoulders and the lower portion of the drum is situated between the legs of the Djembe player as they beat out their tribal tunes. Sometimes a strap will even be implemented around the waist if a player needs further support and both hands are always used to play. This creates wider sounds and tones capable by a Djembe Drum player. The wide range of tones that a Djembe Drum can make has to do with its size and shape and an experienced player can make dozens of unique tones all with one single Djembe Drum. It is usually known however for it’s deep bass note. Djembe Drums are actually hugely popular all over Africa and spread among the native tribal people there far and wide hundreds of years ago. It is known as what is called a secular Mande drum and is the most common man made instrument in it’s homeland of West Africa or Mali.The Djembe Drum was originally called a Jembe drum, the D is there because French made their way to Africa and made French African colonies many decades ago. In Mali the traditional tribal languages weren’t written down and it is thought that because of this combination the French sound is used. It is not entirely known why the French way of spelling Djembe has become the most commonly used way to spell it when it is still pronounced by many other cultures with a J as it was named. Some people think it takes away from the African culture to have the djembe rhythms and associated dances written in French instead of their original language, and perhaps this is true, but the connection with France has definitely widened the popularity and spread of the djembe drum far and wide, as the people of Mali, Senegal, Guinea, the Ivory Coast have emigrated to France and other nations.Percussion drums, and Djembe drums in particular are popular now in many nations with African people who wish to learn something of their ancestry, and spreading widely to include people from over the planet, there are many drum groups that now take place in countries as far and wide as Malaysia, Scotland and the United States of America! Djembe Drums, and other musical instruments percussion have successfully made it into modern culture, and who knows where they will go next? Perhaps cinema and TV will give them a focus and the next thing you know, you’ll be playing a Djembe in high school band or buy one at your local music shop. The future is limitless for the Djembe Drum.Many school groups are realising that the djembe drum is a great instrument for school students to learn in class, instead of the recorder or guitar. The young people love the rhythms and beats, and can quickly pick up the various tones and styles. Working together, improving self esteem and co-operation, even to reduce stress, the popularity of the djembe drum is only getting greater, so watch out world, the djembe is coming!
Chris Barton lives in Scotland, with his wife and three wonderful children, and their little dog, Molly! Among his business interests are a number of djembe drum websites. The largest website is Djembe Drums . The Djembe Drum Shop only sells fair trade products, guaranteeing a fair price to the master craftsmen, and great deal all round for his customers!
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/The-Hidden-Past-and-Exciting-Future-of–the-Djembe-Drum/537796
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3 Keys to Maximizing Your Drum Skills by Dan Brown
There are many ways to increase the quality of your drumming and they can all be summarized into these 3 vital keys…
1. Develop Confidence
Many wanna-be musicians will choose the drums because they are shy and want to remain in the background (that’s where I was when I started drumming back in 1976).
The truth is your body may be in the background, but your musical presence will definitely be noticed!
If you are going to be the drummer in a band, then you will be the anchor of the band. The other musicians will be relying on you to provide strong beats that will keep everything together. Everything you do behind your drum set will not only be heard, but felt, simply because you will be the all-important time keeper.
This notion of wanting to be a drummer so you can hide behind a drum set is ridiculous. You’re gonna hide from no one! That’s why it is imperative to develop confidence in your drumming, and the first way to do that is to forget about the notion that you are hidden. Your mind set should be to establish your place in the band. Know who you are and why you’re there. The rest will then fall into place.
Please don’t mistake confidence for arrogance. Confidence is what makes a good drummer a great drummer. Arrogance is what makes a good drummer a lonely drummer! I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want to play music with some cocky jerk who thinks he or she is better than everyone else.
2. Love Your Instrument
If any musician really wants to master their instrument they must absolutely love it. What do I mean “love it?” The best way to understand this is to relate loving your drums to loving a person.
Many people think “love” is a feeling, but it’s not a feeling. For example; I love my wife, but I don’t always like her (I suppose she can probably say the same thing about me).
Love is an action word. It means to adore, care for, learn about, edify, be loyal to, be devoted to, be committed to, support, protect, and promote. When you do these things the feeling of love automatically comes.
So, how can you tell if you really love your drums? You can tell if you love your drums by the priority you put on them. They must have some priority in your life, otherwise your drums are just a little hobby that you will only be mediocre at.
3. Remain Humble
To become successful in anything, you must absolutely be confident in what you’re doing, and knowledge can make you confident. But, be careful, knowledge can also make you think more highly of yourself than you should.
If you really want to increase your level of drumming it is critical to always see yourself as a student and remain open minded.
The mind is like a parachute, it only functions when it is open. That’s why it is so important to remain humble. Arrogant drummers never grow beyond their current level of drumming because they don’t think there is any more they can learn. How foolish! There is always more to learn… and any advanced drummer can learn from an intermediate, or even a beginner!
It’s critical to want to learn if you are going to increase your level of drumming, and remaining humble is the only avenue through which you can do this.
If you continue to learn you will then be able to teach. When you begin teaching, you will be amazed at the additional things you will learn (if you are currently teaching you will understand).
Conclusion
When you develop confidence in your purpose as a drummer, learn to love your drums by giving them some priority in your life, altogether with remaining humble, your level of drumming will increase considerably.
Dan Brown has been drumming since 1976. Get his FREE report
“Mind Your Drumming: 10 Attitudes That Will Make You a Star”
when you subscribe to his FREE Weekly Drum Smart Newsletter…
http://www.dbdrumtips.com/freenewsletter.html
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/3-Keys-to-Maximizing-Your-Drum-Skills/118225
