Djembes, anyone?

[ltwoman]

I am thinking about buying a djembe and wondering if anyone has any particular advice for me. I've done some reserach and it gets very confusing very fast! I'm 5'7" and like to think I have long legs. Under $200? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[BongoBoy]

I have a REMO Pablo Mattial Signature.

About 2 feet high, the big one I guess. It is loud and the center is quite deep sounding (like a kik drum) edges like a conga. I sometimes play a kik n snare pattern on it when jammin. It's like a portable drum kit, kinda.

Like anything, to master it is another journey. I just like to hit stuff that sounds cool.

For really cool High sounds in the same idea check out the Dymbek. Crispy like Tabla's sorta. Cheaper too. $100

I think my REMO (years ago) was around $250

Cheers n have fun, hands can get sore, ya gotta keep it up.

BB.

[Rusty James]

Djembe's are loads of fun to play with.
In the October 2009 edition of Modern Drummer, Guitar Centre advertised Remo Djembes going for $170 - $200 (sale prices) and another manufacturer called Toca Percussion for cheaper $.
Our local community centre used to have evening classes on how to make your own Djembe.
As BB mentioned, sore hands are inevitable but well worth it.
Good luck and enjoy!

[smax]

nothing useful to add other than the fact that i like saying the word and thank you for reminding me of it.

djembe

djembe

djembe

djembe

[jedsoon]

I made my drum over Bonnaroo weekend in 07. It's not technically a djembe... I really don't know what it's called! The body is straight and conical, lacking the curves of a true djembe.



I became more obsessed with that thing that weekend than I did the Police show I was there to see! It's loads of fun to play and not hard to pick up on.

[ltwoman]

Thank you, Rusty James and BongoBoy! I was able to locate my October 2009 issue of MD and found the ad. At least it will give me something to go on (I knew I had seen that somewhere, but kept looking for a product review, not the ad). And to jedsoon, I say WAY COOL! One of my choices has to be rope tuning vs. traditional tuning, and that picture makes me think "no way".
I've been e-mailing a small shop I went into while on a family vacation to Tennessee ; I'd tried one there (that started it all) and of course I wasn't paying enought attention nor did I notice which one I liked. But it's way more than $200 and it seems like a wild hair to buy something so precious sight unseen (and somewhat untried) from a family run business by mail (Musician's Friends, etc., now THAT doesn't bother me in the least. Love those return policies!)
To be continued and I will post what I decide.

[Horacio]

Hi.

http://www.5min.com/Video/Djembe-Drummi ... --34186337

[ltwoman]

Ooh, just what the doctor ordered! Thank you, Horacio. I just returned from a trip to Richmond and Sam Ash and I am now the proud owner of a Remo Key-Tuned Djembe. 10" x 24" , the Earth toned model. Ready to rock and roll!
Thanks again, guys!

[jedsoon]

Congrats! Time for a REALLY BIG drum circle!