How to Play the Djembe Drum

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In this free djembe educational video series for beginners, our expert will introduce you to the djembe and how to play it, from instrument selection to polyrhythms and slap techniques.

There are 15 videos in this series:

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1.

Advanced Polyrhythms on Djembe Drums
Play advanced polyrhythms after mastering polyrhythm basics and sixteenth notes on the djembe; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 6,737
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2.

Basic Rhythms & Drum Tones on the Djembe
Rhythms and drum tones can impact each other when playing the djembe; learn more from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson..

Views: 12,070
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3.

Body Mechanics When Playing Djembe Drums
Use body mechanics to your advantage when playing djembe drums; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 10,785
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4.

Building Speed on the Djembe Drum
Building speed on the djembe drum is an essential element of the instrument; learn how to do it with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 16,022
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5.

Choosing a Djembe Drum
Choose the right djembe drum for a beginner; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 9,496
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6.

Getting Sounds From a Djembe Drum
Get sounds from a djembe drum when beginning to play; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 15,928
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7.

Learning the Language of Drumming
Drumming was a language, a form of communication, before it was ever meant to be musical; learn more from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 5,691
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8.

Polyrhythms & Sixteenth Notes on the Djembe
Play polyrhythms and sixteenth notes on a djembe; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 6,464
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9.

Quarter, Eighth & Sixteenth Notes on the Djembe
Play quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes on the djembe drum; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 8,902
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10.

Relaxed Playing on Djembe Drums
As beginner, work on relaxed drum playing on the djembe; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 7,953
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11.

Slapping Techniques for the Djembe
Use slapping techniques when playing the djembe; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 9,755
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12.

Soloing on the Djembe Drum
Djembe drum solos, as a beginner, are a great way to employ all techniques and note variations for practice; learn more from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 8,532
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13.

The Basics of Rhythm on the Djembe Drum
Learn the basics of rhythm as a foundation, and how to use rhythm when playing djembe drums using tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 16,188
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14.

Tips for Polyrhythms on Djembe Drumming
Polyrhythms build on basic rhythms, and are employed as djembe beginners become more experienced; learn more from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson..

Views: 7,520
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15.

Triplets & Sextuplets on the Djembe
Play triplets and sextuplets when slapping the djembe; learn how with tips from our expert djembe drummer in this free djembe video music lesson.

Views: 6,794
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Views: 148,813 Videos in Series: 15

Tags: diy, play, learn, instruments, musical, djembe

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Summary: The djembe is a large, goblet-shaped drum that is skin covered and played with bare hands. The drum is a membranophone, meaning its covering in a shell, usually rawhide. Its origins trace back to West Africa, where it is a monumental part of the culture and musical history. According to African tradition, the djembe contains certain spirits which motivate the drummer and are an active part of the experience for the listener, as well. While the djembe drum has found popularity in the Western world as a part of a drum circle, its intended ensemble use is with a dunun drum and bells. Djembe soloists or lead drummers will beat rhythms to accent and accompany dancers, signaling changes in dance steps as well as adapting to the dance. For this reason, its important for djembe drummers who want to use the instrument in the traditional fashion to learn a variety of rhythms and beats popular with African dance. Playing a drum with bare hands might seem like and easy task, but when the musician is required to play, predict and adjust to dancers and other musicians, it becomes a little harder.

In this free video clip series, our expert will introduce you to the djembe drum and how its played. Learn how to do everything from basic taps and beats to more advanced rhythms like polyrhythms and sixteenth notes. You will also learn about proper posture and body mechanics for playing the drum as well as slapping and soloing techniques. Everything from the most basic introduction to rhythm to the execution of difficult exercises such as triplets and sextuplets are included.

About the Expert

Contact: belaharr.com

Expert: Scott Swearingen has been playing hand drums and percussion for 6 years with musicians and dancers in Austin, TX. He has played professionally with Belly Dancers, Tribal Dancers, and currently performs in the Austin area with his drum/dance troupe Belaharr. You can hear some of his music, and order the Belaharr CD, at www.belaharr.com. Dr. Swearingen teaches dumbek and djembe lessons, and can provide performances of ethnic drums and dance for parties and functions. If you live in the Austin area you can reach him through www.belaharr.com.