The Most Important Djembe Beat

[@mistiinseattle]

I have searched all over for beginner videos. Most go way too fast or are over my head. But yours are clear and easy to follow. I am really learning. Thanks.

[@lisad5451]

Hey Ian, you have a new fan! I have owned a djembe for about 4 years but have found it difficult to incorporate African beats into jam sessions where people are playing rock, folk, etc. on guitar, bass, and other instruments. Your Masterclass for Beginners 1 is fantastic for learning contemporary beats and your teaching method is SO easy and effective - I really appreciate how you start out slow and are so patient explaining things and building up to faster beats. I've already signed up for Beginners 2 and am excited about the possibility of actually becoming somewhat proficient with this instrument. Thanks for all you do to help the world learn to play the djembe!

[@DjembeMaster]

Hey, Lisa! Thanks for your support! I'm glad you've found what you've been looking for 🙂 Indeed, this modern way of approaching this centuries-old drum, I believe, is much needed.

[@lisad5451]

@@DjembeMaster Agreed! If you ever add a Testimonials from Students section to your website, I'd be happy to write up a great recommendation for you!

[@Jelly923]

You are a remarkable teacher and your videos mean a lot to me！ Thanks a million from China❤

[@DjembeMaster]

Thanks! Much love to China ♥️

[@rachelw5951]

Just got a djembe this week and am loving your channel, thank you! 🙏🏼💖

[@DjembeMaster]

Thanks. Amazing 😉

[@balongdabawenyo3658]

This type of djembe is my dream djembe. 🥰🥰🥰

[@DjembeMaster]

😊 It sure is really good!

[@sanatsevajay]

Simply put, simply beautiful. Thanks!!!

[@DjembeMaster]

Thank you ☺️

[@pablolorenzo8095]

"Simple" doesn't mean "easy" because being able to make it sound good, it might take some time .

[@DjembeMaster]

The gentleman here probably just enjoyed listening to the simple way of doing something which sounds just about right - not too much, not too little. At the same time, yes, to play simple for the ear is mostly not as easy as it sounds/looks. Like with anything, you do something for 10-20 years and you become quite good with the subtle nuances in your particular field 🙂

[@helgeschneider5423]

Thanks for putting up these tutorials, I really appreciate!

[@DjembeMaster]

My pleasure. New courses coming soon 😊

[@YanickT]

Very nice video, the sound is awesome. I have the same Djembe as you (remo mondo 14") but mine is more ringing than yours. Did you do something to have this softer sound ?

[@DjembeMaster]

Thanks! I think the thing people are referring to as the ring and me having a different sound - is because my Remo drum head is just so old. Back in the day Remo used 2-ply skin and now for many years they've been using single-ply skins, which do have a different sound. 🤓

[@YanickT]

@@DjembeMaster Thanks for the answer Ian. I think I'll try to add a Sound Control Clear Dot patch. These patches are suppose to come with a brand new Remo Djembe but I bought mine used so...

[@charleshamilton6511]

Wow just wow! That is really nice beat - I want to be able to play this. Thanks for sharing !

[@DjembeMaster]

My pleasure. Yepp - the straight beat cannot be underestimated 😋 Get this right and from there it’s fantastic to start laying other layers and tricks on top 🏆

[@tommicire7693]

Hi Ian i just completed your 2 beginner courses and am totally satisfied, are you maybe going to make some more advanced courses? Beats with also tones, mute notes, slap tone melodies, techniques with fingers...(: Tried to experiment on tones with the known beats and great things came out but really need more practical guidance! Infinitely grateful, cheers ⭐

[@DjembeMaster]

Hey, Tommi! Thanks for going through the courses and glad you liked them! The plan is to find a new studio in August and film 2 new courses in September. More advanced courses coming up ☺️

[@tommicire7693]

@@DjembeMaster 🙏❤️🤩

[@shawnedgar3981]

Absolutely dig in your videos thank you much love

[@DjembeMaster]

Thanks so much!

[@elliarts]

Great vid as always, any chance you could make a video on how to build on this beat? Just the layers you most commonly add to it would be fantastic, I can add some layers myself but I'm limited to my own muscle memory at this point. I've been trying to incorporate your slap variations (thumb, single finger) along the sides but I'm having trouble figuring it out. I managed to get the hang of adding the muted slap whenever i like but those other two variations seem like the key to taking djembe playing to the next level. Can't believe you haven't got more views tbh, you seem to be the only djembe player sharing techniques as to how to play in a more contemporary style (which I feel is the future of the djembe, a lot of the classic african beats don't seem to communicate too well with modern jams yet some are more than ideal). Are you planning on maybe giving lessons IRL once the pandemic finally ends?

[@DjembeMaster]

Thanks! Yes, I'll add such an idea to my list of videos to do. A modern approach does seem to be much of the future, indeed. I do give lessons all the time in Tallinn, Estonia. Hopefully there will come a day when I can help give guidance at international music fairs - so everybody gets a lesson :)

[@dailytruths777]

So easy to understand..... thanks. I'm learning... 😊

[@shreemurtikamble1882]

Very Nice 👌👌

[@hypnohippie4822]

Are you doing base , tone tone tone slap, or is it slap slap slap and louder slap? Im struggling to learn the difference at the moment between the tone and slap. Thanks alot for your content

[@DjembeMaster]

Great question 😎 I think, in traditional terms the quiet strokes are quiet slaps, yes. But I might be wrong 😁 I don't use the "tone" stroke.

[@hypnohippie4822]

@@DjembeMaster thanks for getting back to me . I did realise you had tutorials on different slaps and Different bass but no tone. Is that just because your style?

[@DjembeMaster]

Exactly! It's because I've adapted drum set beats and done that organically over 15 years - that's the reason I got my own style and technique going on. Highly recommend checking this style out - it really works well when playing together with other musicians

[@hypnohippie4822]

@@DjembeMaster I do love your style from the content I have seen I've noticed how different it is. Would love to be able to afford your beginners course but unfortunately not possible at the moment

[@DjembeMaster]

Well, keep an eye on those courses - my marketing side is constantly making limited offerings every now and then 😉

[@HaltnHustle]

I used to play a 14” Remo, I sold it a while ago to a buddy; I thought I’d want to move to an authentic African drum. I’m looking into a 16” this time, but I’ve noticed in your videos that the synthetics have more bottom end. What are your thoughts, should I stick with synthetic then if I like the deeper tones?

[@DjembeMaster]

From the hundreds of djembes that I've tried over the years I can conclude that, yes, synthetic djembes do make a deeper bass sound. Many times this is too much, but then you can always tilt the drum less, so less bass comes out. And for years, I had a proper rope-tuned premium djembe and played concerts with it - worked beautifully! But if I had to only choose one - great bass and everything else - I'd go for a premium quality 14-inch key-tuned djembe.

[@HaltnHustle]

@@DjembeMaster yes that’s what I used to play shows with as well, a premium 14” key tuned djembe. I’m not playing live anymore and will be using more for recording. I’d have to try in person but I’m leaning to 16” over 14” this time, and I’ll have to see between synthetic and authentic. Thank you for your help!

[@สมบูรณ์คล้อยเจริญ-น4ร]

จะซื้อกลองใด้ที่ไหน.ขอเบอร์ติดต่อด้วย

[@rasmuhamednasr4621]

Thanks,man.

[@donbaird3826]

I have a rope tuned djembe that doesn't sound anything like remo. I do have two remo djembe drums. Both are mondo twelve inch . I dislike the overtone ring and removed it completely. The sound better without the ring.

[@DjembeMaster]

Rope tuned and key tuned do absolutely sound different. I kinda like the long sustain of the Remo djembes. You can always mute the ringing sound with great technique as well ✅

[@Asimovum]

Awesome! May I ask what type of microphone de you use for the djembe?

[@DjembeMaster]

Thanks! The top is Shure SM57 and bottom is AKG P2 bass drum mic.

[@MRR1065]

What brand Djembe are you using?

[@DjembeMaster]

It's a Remo djembe. 14-inch model.