Caring For Your Drum
Djembe drums do need care and some
maintenance in order to sound their best. Here
are a few pointers to help you keep your African Percussion drum in
good shape.
- Protect your drum from extremes of temperature and
humidity. Leaving your drum in a hot car or storing it in a cold room
will affect its tuning and eventually weaken and split the skin. If
possible store your Djembe in a quilted bag.
- Remove rings from your fingers before playing and don't
play your drum (or allow it to be hit) with anything other than bare
hands.
- The shell of your Djembe can be oiled periodically to
prevent it from drying. Use Danish Oil or ask your local African Percussion
retailer for a bottle of 'Djembe Juice'. Be careful not to apply the oil to the
tuning ropes or goatskin head.
- Your Djembe will occasionally need to be tuned. It's a good
idea to get some experienced help when doing this for the first time.
Your local drum shop, or a friend who plays are good options - but
failing that, the diagram (left) is a quick reference to help you
put a couple tuning knots in your drum.
Alternatively, if you live in Melbourne, drop your drum in to the
African
Percussion Workshop for a quick tune or call and ask about our
full range of repairs
and service.
Play your Djembe often, treat
it with love and
respect and it will sing for you.
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