The way you want to tune it will decide the type of djembe you buy. Rope and key are the main ways to tune djembes. The following is a short snippet about the kinds of tuning system and construction of drums:
Rope enabled tuning
Traditional djembes were all rope tuned, so this is really the original form of the drum. You move the position of ropes to change the pitch on a rope tuned djembe. The skin is held from rings that are attached from the ropes. There are generally either two rings or three rings surrounding the head of a traditional djembe drum, and these rings are often more slender than those on key tuned drums.
When the drummer wants to tune up the rope tuned djembe drum, he or she pulls the tuning ropes in such a way as to make knots that set up tensions that pull the rings around the drum head closer together. The drum skin tension needs to be increased to make the pitch higher. Tuning a drum by adjusting knots is called pulling a diamond. Mali Weave is one kind of knot used to tune djembe drums.
Key-tuned djembes
Key tuned drums use a different and more modern tuning system. A wrench is used to tighten the bolts that border the djembe head in this tuning system, which is closely related to the type of tuning systems used for snares, tom toms, and other conventional drums. Tightening these bolts also tightens the larger metal rim around the head of the drum, and as a result, this raises the pitch of the drum.
For key tuned djembe drums the tuning mechanisms are bulky. If you get this type of djembe it'll have more weight than a rope tuned one and a fair bit of metal.
What type of tuning system is right for you?
The benefit of a system featuring key tuning is ease of understanding and simple implementation. On the flip side, this is up to the individual, as many djembe players believe that the advantages of a key tuned system stop there. One obstacle that has been noted, is the bulky tuning rim on a key tuned system, which has been said to get in the way and actually hinder or prevent the instrument from playing properly. However, others don't mind the hardware that comes with this tuning system and appreciate the convenience if being able to tune this drum easily.
The most authentically constructed djembes are rope tuned. So if you want a drum that resembles those of its origin, pick rope tuned djembes. Rope tuned djembes require a bit of effort to learn how to tune them properly at first, but once you have learned how, tuning them is easy and convenient. Thinner and better placed rim rings help most people drum easier. For many reasons djembes that are rope tuned could be the better choice. However, again, this is ultimately the choice of the drummer.
Rope enabled tuning
Traditional djembes were all rope tuned, so this is really the original form of the drum. You move the position of ropes to change the pitch on a rope tuned djembe. The skin is held from rings that are attached from the ropes. There are generally either two rings or three rings surrounding the head of a traditional djembe drum, and these rings are often more slender than those on key tuned drums.
When the drummer wants to tune up the rope tuned djembe drum, he or she pulls the tuning ropes in such a way as to make knots that set up tensions that pull the rings around the drum head closer together. The drum skin tension needs to be increased to make the pitch higher. Tuning a drum by adjusting knots is called pulling a diamond. Mali Weave is one kind of knot used to tune djembe drums.
Key-tuned djembes
Key tuned drums use a different and more modern tuning system. A wrench is used to tighten the bolts that border the djembe head in this tuning system, which is closely related to the type of tuning systems used for snares, tom toms, and other conventional drums. Tightening these bolts also tightens the larger metal rim around the head of the drum, and as a result, this raises the pitch of the drum.
For key tuned djembe drums the tuning mechanisms are bulky. If you get this type of djembe it'll have more weight than a rope tuned one and a fair bit of metal.
What type of tuning system is right for you?
The benefit of a system featuring key tuning is ease of understanding and simple implementation. On the flip side, this is up to the individual, as many djembe players believe that the advantages of a key tuned system stop there. One obstacle that has been noted, is the bulky tuning rim on a key tuned system, which has been said to get in the way and actually hinder or prevent the instrument from playing properly. However, others don't mind the hardware that comes with this tuning system and appreciate the convenience if being able to tune this drum easily.
The most authentically constructed djembes are rope tuned. So if you want a drum that resembles those of its origin, pick rope tuned djembes. Rope tuned djembes require a bit of effort to learn how to tune them properly at first, but once you have learned how, tuning them is easy and convenient. Thinner and better placed rim rings help most people drum easier. For many reasons djembes that are rope tuned could be the better choice. However, again, this is ultimately the choice of the drummer.
About the Author:
To view and purchase childrens musical instruments online visit www.djembedrumshop.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment