A FEW TIPS FOR REPLACING YOUR DJEMBE HEAD PAGE 1

I like to have my drums working really good, looking really good, and sounding really good. I have replaced many many conga heads, bongo heads, djembe heads and others as well. I am giving this free advice to those who are interested in having THEIR drum sound up to its full potential. It is not a complete start to finnish plan (see related links) just a few tricks I know. Almost anyone who plays one of my drums comments on how good they sound. One should do their own work on their drum/friend in order to have it done properly and to change a skin when needed. After you work on your own drum - do the whole job yourself, you will better understand the vibrations (or lack of) coming from the drum itself. Thanx to Zach Combs for 'showing me the ropes'. This valuable lesson and my own experience with latin drums has enabled me to know some of the secrets of the djembe.

also see PULLING DIAMONDS FLIPBOOK

and SKINNING A DJEMBE

1. While you are soaking the skin to soften it (1-3 hours) you can match up the top hoops by fitting them over the drum and marking them. They can be bent by hand to fit together, fit the drum shell, and lie flat against one another. This step is important! Hand carved drums are almost never truly round and this is ok because the skin will dry in any shape. If the drum is egg shaped or pointy on one spot make that the side you play on. Always think about symetry and balance.

2. This is the knot you will need to get started. Make sure that it is not twisted and is perfect.

3. When feeding the rope pull from top or bottom not the middle. You can double your progress by pulling through both top and bottom at the same time. This method will help prevent twists in the rope too. After the rope is in place and all of the slack gone rope can be pulled from the middle.

4. A flat stick is useful to hold hoop in place while adding rope, and makes a good spacer too.

5. I have added rope 2/3 of the way around the drum and have readied all tools needed before starting with the skin.

continue

• WHO IS JERRY Z ?

• DRUM CLASS

• MY NEW CD - AVAILABLE NOW !

• DRUMMING FOR DANCE

• WORLD MUSIC RECOMENDATIONS - NOW OPEN !

• SITES I LIKE

HOME

E-MAIL ME

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page