The subtle sense of rhythm of Africans has long been envied by Europeans and Americans. It is also known that jazz, famous for its rhythmicity, arose precisely in the circles of African slaves exported by Americans from their native land, where almost everyone knows how to play a special ethnic drum. It is used both for musical and rhythmic accompaniment of mass dances, and during magical shamanistic rituals - with its sounds it helps to immerse a person in a trance state.
What is the name of the African drum
Djembe - the name of the folk percussion instrument of the inhabitants of West Africa.
Initially, the djembe drum was considered the national instrument of the Republic of Mali, but its wide distribution made it the property of the whole continent.
The instrument has the shape of a cup about 60 cm high, with a wide, 30 cm in diameter, goatskin-covered surface on which is played with the palms of the hands. It is made of hardwood. According to the method of sound extraction refers to membranophones.
It is also worth noting that the “longevity” and the constant quality of the sound of the drum largely depends not only on the wood used, but also on the care of the instrument, and careful storage.
It is necessary to try to put djembe on dusty ground as little as possible, because this leads to rapid contamination of the membrane, a decrease in its elasticity and, as a result, poor sound.
It is also advisable to carry the drum in a case that protects it from external shocks and shocks. The cover does not allow dirt and dust to penetrate into the case, it is very convenient for transportation.
To prevent the drying of wood and leather, it is occasionally necessary to lubricate the instrument with vegetable oil.
Spread of djembe
The African drum is very popular among musicians of various directions and nationalities. It is used both for playing in an ensemble and for rhythmic solo. However, Europe has learned about djemba relatively recently, since the 50s. XX century
African music, drums in particular, are perceived as something very exotic, their rhythms and tones fascinate the listener.
The instrument impresses with its sonorous and deep bass, which occurs due to resonance in the cavity of the instrument.
Drum making
The classic djembe made from a single piece of wood, often decorated with carvings or a variety of ethnic patterns and inscriptions. Modern tools are often made from glued parts, which significantly reduces the price of the drum. Also recently, some firms have begun to produce plastic djembe. In terms of sound quality, they are significantly inferior to wooden instruments, however, the affordable price and lack of response to climate changes make plastic drums quite common.
The Africans themselves can be found the so-called ashiko - a tool similar to djemba, only glued from several stripes of wood.
The African drum membrane is made from goat skin, but sometimes the skin of an antelope, zebra or deer is also used. It is pulled to the desired degree using a special rope, which is attached to the drum by means of metal rings or clamps.
On the djemba, the rhythm is reproduced with two hands, while the case itself is fixed with your feet or at hand for convenience, and for reliability it is also fastened with a special belt that the drummer puts on his neck.
There are three main sounds played on djembe: bass tone, high and ringing.
The tuning of the African drum is also of great importance for the correctness and beauty of the sound, especially if an ensemble play is supposed.
The main components of djembe are wood and leather. They respond to changes in temperature and humidity, swelling or, conversely, narrowing, which requires additional adjustment.
African drums in processing
A lot of classical and folk music can be heard in modern arrangements. They are written using special computer programs, so almost anyone can create such tracks.
Processing records of various African rhythms makes their sound more interesting and rich.
Thanks to djemba, you can bring a little exotic to your life, go beyond the ordinary and briefly “move” to African latitudes. Drums can be purchased at online music stores, which contributes to the increasing distribution of the instrument.