Your Essential Djembe Drum Buying Guide

Shopping for djembe drums can be daunting, if you don't know what you need. Different drum sizes, head types, tuning mechanisms and shell composition all play a part in creating the drum's personality. The drum is your voice; hence, it should be an extension of yourself. This buying guide should shed some light on the subject, allowing you to find your perfect drum.

Choosing your shell material

Many different shell materials are available for a djembe, in both natural and synthetic varieties. You need to consider what type of environment you will be playing in when you make your decision. If you go with a natural material, usually a wood body, you need to make sure you get one that has been specially treated so the drum doesn't rot or get bugs. Use caution when purchasing a traditionally made drum, as this can sometimes be a problem in some parts of the world. Most major manufacturers use a form of fibreglass to form the body of the drum. These synthetic drums perform well even under adverse conditions and are very durable. The tonal qualities are slightly different and less "earthy" but you can still project just fine when you play.

Choosing your drum head

Djembe drum heads are traditionally made of skin, usually goat hide. These are fine, especially on more traditional drums but require additional upkeep. Natural skin heads have a very rich sound and in a drier environment work very well. However, if you live in a climate with higher humidity, you may want to opt for a drum that has a synthetic drum head instead. Most synthetic heads are made of Mylar, or other types of polyester films. Synthetic heads are designed to mimic the feel of a natural head; these heads are also wonderful for studio work. The synthetic heads are also great in almost any climate and that versatility is really what sets them apart for the casual player.

Choosing your tuning

Most manufactured drums come with some form of mechanical tuning, which essentially means that they use bolts instead of rope. This design is popular because it is much easier to learn how to tune and change the drum heads -- simply loosen the bolts and remove the head. With a rope tuned drum, it takes a bit more practice. If you have this type of tuning, you should find a professional to assist you the first couple of times until you feel comfortable with the procedure of tuning and changing the skin. You don't want to damage your drum by tuning it incorrectly! Rope tuning is the more traditional method and when combined with a natural head, gives you a unique and authentic body to the sound.