Mother Rhythm Drums

10 Facts About the Djembe

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 +0000

1. The term “djembe” originates from the Bambara saying “Anke djé, anke bé” which translates to “everyone gather together in peace.”

2. The djembe is said to consist of three spirits: the spirit of the tree from which it was made, the spirit of the animal whose skin covers the head, and the spirit of the drum maker.

3. The djembe drum is most commonly associated with the Madinka people of West Africa. The djembe specifically originates out of Mali as far back as the 12th century.

4. The djembe drum is also known as the “Devil Drum” because it was traditionally made from hollow-out trees called Dimba, also known as “Devil Wood.”

5. The three basic sounds that can be produced with a djembe are bass, tone, and slap. Other tones can be produced using a combination of these, but these are the three building blocks. Bass is the lowest of the three notes and is produced by hitting the center of the drum. Tone has a soft, yet full sound and can be produced by playing the side of the drum with fingers that are relaxed, yet held together. Slap is the loudest and sharpest note and can be played by hitting the edge of the drum head with the center of your hand and then quickly pulling it away. The slap is generally considered to be the most difficult tone to perform.

6. Based on Madinka legend, the djembe is said to have come about through a genie (known as a djinn) who gifted the tree to a Madinka blacksmith and taught him how to carve it into a djembe. According to legend, djinns were normally considered to be impish and mischievous beings, however it’s interesting to note that, in this case, the djinn was actually helpful!

7. Goat skin is the most common and preferred head material for a djembe. It is believed that if the goat has a tougher skin, a better quality of sound will be produced.

8. Some consider the djembe to be female and the ashiko to be male.

9. Due to their loud, resonating sound, the djembe has traditionally been used to communicated between tribes over long distances.

10. A master djembe player is called a “djembefola.”

How to Reskin or Rehead a Djembe Drum

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Watch Gregg Anderson, owner of Mother Rhythm Drums, demonstrate how to reskin a djembe drum. Please note that the skin is soaked in water for about an hour prior to reskinning to achieve proper malleability.

How to Care for a Djembe: Do's and Don't's

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Follow these simple guidelines to prolong the life of your djembe drum:

Do’s

Do use a drum bag. Bags can prolong the life of your djembe by protecting it from the elements, as well as serving as a cushion by taking impact that could otherwise damage your drum. Keeping your drum in a bag when it’s not in use will also help to maintain its tune, helping you perform the Mali Weave process less often. When considering a bag for your djembe, make sure you find one of the proper fit. If the bag is too loose, it will move around unnecessarily, which could lead to damage. If you can’t find a bag to your exact specifications, you can always place some circular foam padding on top of your drum while it’s in the bag for added protection and to take up some of the empty space.

Do play your djembe often. Some players find that a drum that hasn’t been played for a prolonged period can sound dull and flat. Frequent playing also ensures that the drum skin stays conditioned with the natural oils of your hands.

Do use shea butter, olive oil, or any other type of natural moisturizer on your hands intermittently before you play your drum. This will ensure that the proper amount of moisture is transferred to your drum head, conditioning the skin properly.

Do clean the exterior wood shell. If your drum is varnished, you can simply used a damp soft cloth to remove any debris. Some people will opt for furniture polish on their varnished drums. If you choose this option, its best to use it sparingly. If you have an unvarnished drum, you may need to apply a thin coat of teak or linseed oil every so often to help prevent cracking. Applying a thin coat of oil to the interior can also be helpful for both varnished and unvarnished drums. The oil will ideally be applied more often in dry climates and less often in humid climates.

Do detune your djembe if you know you won’t be playing it for a prolonged period of time, or if it will go through a shipment process. This will help prevent the skin splitting. Usually backing out a few knots of the Mali Weave is enough to loosen it.

Don’t‘s

Don’t play your djembe with anything other than your hands. Playing it with sticks or mallets will almost certainly wear out your skin and cause it to split prematurely. After all, the djembe is called a “hand drum” for a reason!

Don’t put moisturizer directly on the skin. This will weaken it over time. As mentioned above, it is best to put shea butter or olive oil on your hands before you play. This will help transfer the conditioner to your drum skin, ensuring that the proper amount is used.

Don’t overtune your drum. You can still achieve that nice, crisp sound without tightening it to the point of breaking the skin.

Don’t store your drum in extreme temperatures such as a hot car. You’ll find this is terrible for keeping the tune, and it may even lead to cracking. Moving the drum rapidly between extreme temperatures can also cause cracking. It’s best to keep your drum indoors and in a bag when you’re not playing it.

Don’t wear rings or any other type of jewelry that could come into contact with the drum skin while you’re playing it. It can be difficult to remember, but this will easily cause nicks in the skin, so try to always make a habit of removing all jewelry before playing.

Didgeridoo for Beginners

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0000

The Didgeridoo is a wind instrument originated by indigenous Australians. Although no one can determine its exact age, it’s speculated to have come about approximately 1,500 years ago. People from both Australia and all around the world still play the didgeridoo today.

Traditionally, the didgeridoo came about through a natural process, which included termites hollowing out the interior of live eucalyptus trees. Aborigines would then strip the bark and trim the ends, resulting in the finished product. Today the didgeridoo is made out of an assortment of materials, including bamboo wood, teak wood, and even synthetic materials such as PVC, glass, and fiberglass. Usually cylindrical or conical, the modern-day didgeridoo can measure anywhere from 3 to 10 ft. long, although they’re most often about 4 ft. long. Generally speaking, the longer the didgeridoo, the lower the pitch.

The didgeridoo is played by breathing into the instrument with continuously vibrating lips. This looped breathing pattern is known as circular breathing, wherein the player simultaneously breathes in through their nose and out through their mouth. By using this method, the player can sustain notes without stopping for an impressive amount of time (the current world record is 50 minutes of continuous playing!)

Traditionally, the didgeridoo was played during ceremonial dances. It’s interesting to note that it’s considered taboo for an Aborigine woman to play a didgeridoo. Today, it’s increasingly played for leisurely purposes in both Australia and around the world. It can be played solo or as an interesting accompaniment to group performances and more informal musical gatherings such as drum circles . Due to its combination of unique sound and versatility in a variety of musical styles, modern-day musical generes including celtic and ska have incorporated the didgeridoo.

There are many different ways to produce rhythms on the didgeridoo other than the basic drone (which entails puffing your cheeks and pushing your lips out, allowing them to vibrate, thus making a low-pitched buzzing sound). Similar to any other type of rhythm instrument (ie the djembe ) contrasting sounds are arranged together to create rhythm. These contrasting sounds can be affected by the tongue, lips, cheeks, and the belly. You can move your tongue by placing it behind your front teeth and abrubtly moving it downward to say, “ta-ta-ta-ta.” Shaping your lips is another way to produce various tones: You can mouth the vowels “a, e, i, o, u, y” while producing the drone, and you can also pinch your lips together as if you were whistling. You can speak into the didgeridoo for an added effect. You can use your cheeks by allowing them to puff in and out, and you can contract and expand your belly to affect the air flow and movmement.

Check out how this didgeridoo player uses a variety of contrasting rhythms to create this unique sound:

Why Drumming is so important to Humanity

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Drumming tears down barriers, and bridges gaps between culture, language, gender, age and
race.
Provides opportunity for people to congregate who otherwise may not congregate. Helps build
community.
Increases awareness of other people.
Builds team work and cohesiveness.
Collectively energizes everyone.
Provides an “In the moment” opportunity to listen and respond.
Increases focus, clarity of mind, stimulates the senses, and energizes the spirit.
Inspires, motivates, and relieves stress.
Builds confidence, and provides opportunity for personal growth.
Creates immediate results.
Creates a space in our world where we can stop, focus, listen, understand, and bond…….
transforming us from destructive ways.
It’s Fun!

Steps to Becoming a Drum Circle Facilitator by Kat Fulton

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Watch below as Kat Fulton, certified music therapist, outlines steps to becoming a drum circle facilitator. You can learn more about Kat Fulton and her various projects at www.rhythmforgood.com

What's the Difference Between an Ashiko and a Bougarabou Drum?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Aside from the obvious differences in shape, an Ashiko and a Bougarabou will drum have differences in sound as well. Read below to learn the unique sound qualities of each and see which might be a better fit for your percussion collection.

Ashikos

Ashikos are actually part of the djembe family. Like djembes, they’re usually headed with goat skin. They’re also capable of producing a wide assortment of tones. Due to their conical shape, they tend to produce slightly more bass than a djembe. Check out an Ashiko demonstration in the video below:

Bougarbous

Bougarabous are usually skinned with much thicker cow or water buffalo hides. The thicker hides result in much more conga-like tones. Bougarabous are oftentimes used as the warmer, richer bass component in a drum circle and are frequently sought after by those looking to add a unique bass element to their percussion collection. Check out a Bougarabou demonstration in the video below:

Tuning

Whichever you choose, keep in mind that both bougarabous and ashikos will have bigger bass components than djembes, however the pitch of the bass will be greatly affected by the degree to which they’re tuned. Both ashikos and bougarabous can be tightened through the use of a pry bar or through the Mali Weave tuning method.

How to tune a Djembe Drum Using a Pry Bar Tool

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Before tuning djembe drums with the Mali Weave, it’s important to remove as much slack from the rope runners as possible. This can be accomplished through the use of a specialized djembe drum roping/tuning table and a welded pry bar tool made for the specific purpose of tightening roped djembe drum heads. Often times tuning a djembe drum with a pry bar tool is sufficient to achieve optimum sound, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent Mali Weave tuning. This method of tuning has proven to be very useful at Mother Rhythm Drums. Watch below as Gregg demonstrates how to tune a Djembe Drum using the pry bar tool.

Djembes In the Classroom

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Djembe drumming is increasingly becoming a classroom activity that encourages team building and community. Hand-drumming has historically been used to communicate across long distances between tribes. Now it can also serve as a great tool to bridge the barriers between students in the classroom; allowing them to connect and relate in a truly inspiring way.

At Mother Rhythm Drums, we offer a wide selection of djembes, including those perfectly-suited for the classroom. Whether it be an elementary or university-level classroom, we have you covered! We also understand that it can be overwhelming selecting the right percussion ensemble out of so many choices. That’s why we’ve put together a few classroom djembe packages , which include smaller hand-held percussion items. Many teachers and/or drum circle facilitators find these smaller music-makers to be instrumental, low-cost options for supplementing their collection on a budget.

Classroom Djembe Packages On a Budget

Speaking of budget, it’s important to understand that starting out small is perfectly okay (i.e. 1-2 djembes with some maracas and shakers is a great starting-point). Many find that building their collection slowly rather then spending one lump sum all at once is more suitable. Whether you choose to do the former or the latter, we have the best quality djembes at the best classroom discounts, guaranteed. Below are a few djembe packages for the classroom. Teachers can save an additional 8% on the below percussion packages by applying coupon code SCHOOL8 at check-out.

Elementary Classroom Djembe Package (Small):

2 16” x 8” Djembes
2 20” x 10” Djembes
3-Piece Hand-Held Percussion Set

Elementary Classroom Djembe Package (Medium):

2 16” x 8” Djembes
2 20” x 10” Djembes
1 24” x 12” Djembe
5-Piece Hand-Held Percussion Set

Elementary Classroom Djembe Package (Large):

2 16” x 8” Djembes
4 20” x 10” Djembes
2 24” x 12” Djembe
1 24” x 12” Ashiko
10-Piece Hand-Held Percussion Set

University Classroom Djembe Package (Small):

2 24” x 12” Djembes
1 24” x 12” Ashiko
5-Piece Hand-Held Percussion Set

University Classroom Djembe Package (Medium):

3 24” x 12” Djembes
1 26” x 14” Djembe
1 24” x 12” Ashiko
10-Piece Hand-Held Percussion Set

University Classroom Djembe Package (Large):

4 24” x 12” Djembes
2 26” x 14” Djembes
1 26” x 14” Ashiko
15-Piece Hand-Held Percussion Set.

Other Djembe Package Discounts

The above are just a few among many possible scenarios for your classroom. Since drums bought for the purpose of group-playing rather than resale more than likely will become slightly worn-in over time anyway, we often find that teachers or facilitators choose to save additional funds by going with slightly blemished djembes available at larger discounts. Also, if the teacher or facilitator is flexible on design wherein we can “grab and go” during shipment, still more discounts are available.

Regardless of your circumstances, we have the right combination of instruments that will fit your classroom as well as your budget. Contact us at 888.869.6293 or motherrhythm@gmail.com if you’re interested in the further discounts mentioned above, or if you’re looking for a package more customized to your needs.

Be Well In Rhythm
~Mother Rhythm Drums

The Didgeridoo For Sleep Apnea

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Sleep Apnea, or Obstructive Sleep Apnea, is a common sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing momentarily lapses during sleep. These pauses in breath are caused by an over-relaxation of the tissue in the back of the throat, which prevents airflow from going into the trachea. Aside from the immediate unpleasant effects of gasping and choking awake, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is also linked to high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic heart failure, persistent fatigue, and even memory loss among other maladies.

Currently, the most common treatment method employs a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure). The machine forces the patient’s airways open through use of a facial mask connected to a machine that generates air pressure. Although generally considered an effective treatment, many patients forgo the CPAP’s usage for a relatively good night’s sleep, as many report that it’s extremely uncomfortable and can make sleep prohibitive.

For those that find their CPAP machine intolerable, a surprising alternative treatment that employs one of the oldest instruments known to man has been proven effective. That’s right, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal, the use of the didgeridoo has been found to significantly aid in the reduction of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In the Swiss Study, 25 participants afflicted with the condition practiced the didgeridoo 25 minutes per day, 6 days a week, for a period of 4 months. Compared to the control group, participants of the didgeridoo group showed a significant reduction in the amount of airway collapses per hour. The participants also reported less daytime sleepiness and their partners reported less sleep disturbance as well. The study concluded that “regular didgeridoo playing is an effective treatment alternative well accepted by patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome”.*

The reason behind the didgeridoo’s success as an alternative treatment lies in its promotion of a process known as “circular breathing.” Circular breathing occurs when you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth at the same time. This process improves muscular tone of the upper airway and reduces the collapse of the tissue in the back of the throat associated with sleep apnea. Apparently the use of the didgeridoo strengthens the airway in a way no other instrument can because the low-frequency sound specific to the didgeridoo gives the throat a perfect massage. In essence, by practicing circular breathing through a didgeridoo, you’re giving the muscles in the back of your throat a toning work-out which prevents the collapse of air-obstructing tissue during sleep.

Practice Circular Breathing

Now that we know the didgeridoo is effective in treating Sleep Apnea, let’s tackle how to “circular breathe.” For many, the idea of breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth sounds impossible. In reality, the process is actually much easier than it sounds and can be achieved through practice. The seasoned circular breather and didgeridoo player pushes the air that’s already in the mouth with the tongue and the cheeks out into the didgeridoo, thus creating the vibration which leads to the “drone.” At the same time, the player intermittently takes in a very quick sniff of air; this completes the circular breathing process.

For someone just starting off, the above may seem somewhat challenging. That’s why the following simple practice steps can be helpful precursors to playing the didgeridoo:

1. Puff your cheeks up with air so they are full but you can still breathe in with your nose.

2. Plug your nose and let the air out of your mouth

3. Complete steps 1 & 2 until you get a good feel for it. Next, try doing the same thing without plugging your nose.

4. Push the air out of your mouth while breathing in through your nose until you achieve a rhythm. Strength in your breathing will follow!

Good Didgeridoos for Sleep Apnea

You may see “medical grade” didgeridoos on the market available at higher-than-normal prices. There’s actually nothing special or above-and-beyond about these that will help you improve your sleep apnea faster. We suggest avoiding the bells and whistles and simply going for a standard didgeridoo recommended for beginners. After all, playing the didgeridoo for your sleep apnea shouldn’t involve too much of an investment and should mostly be about having fun! For the beginning didgeridoo player, we generally suggest a PVC didgeridoo, as they’re widely considered to be the easiest to play. They come in a variety of bell shapes (bigger bottom bells produce a slightly louder drone) and designs for those who have a particular motif in mind. Here are a couple great and inexpensive suggestions for the beginner (each one also ships for free):

PVC Big Bell Swirl Didgeridoo

Standard Painted PVC Didgeridoo

*http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16377643

The Talking Drum

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The talking drum is widely considered to be one of the oldest instruments in West Africa and can be traced back to the Ghana Empire. Talking drums were mainly used by West African griots, who still exist today as storytellers preserving the oral tradition and history of their villages and families. Griots were essential to West African societies as they replaced written language, in which few had access to at the time. The talking drum was a tool the griots used to assist in story-telling, communication, and guidance. Whether it was used to relay an important message, as a summoning to a ceremonial dance, or as an aid in telling fables that taught important life-lessons; the talking drum served an important function in West African cultures and had a language specific to each region.

To play the talking drum, the player nestles the drum between the body and the arm and intermittently squeezes it while the player’s other hand strikes the drum head with a mallet. By putting pressure on the ropes that hold the skins in place, the pitch and tightness can be regulated to mimic a “talking” sound.

Talking Drums in Contemporary Music

Today, the talking drum is still used in traditional tribal ceremonies. But like many ancient African drums, it’s now commonly implemented in more contemporary forms of music such as the Fuji genre. Often features alongside Nigerian hip hop music, the Fuji genre blends traditional Nigerian music with a more modern-day dance element. In the video below watch Adewale Ayuba, a Fuji music artist perform. Notice the talking drums’ presence throughout the song.

You can also hear the talking drum in Tom Waits’ “Trouble’s Braids.”

And if you’ve heard of London’s King Crimson, you might know they have a song called “Talking Drum.”

Talking Drums for Sale

Talking Drums can now be purchased from a variety of venues. If you’re looking for a traditional version, Freedom Drums makes some excellent quality authentic talking drums from Ghana:

Griot Talking Drum

Griot Rose Talking Drum

Percussion brands such as Tycoon and Toca also make some top-notch talking drums (check out the Toca version if you’re looking for a synthetic and lighter-weight version):

Tycoon Talking Drum

Toca Freestyle Talking Drum

Udu Drums (African Clay Jug Drums)

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Udu Origin

The name Udu stems from Nigerian Igbo language, meaning “pot” or “vessel.” The clay jugs were traditionally used to carry water, however when a second side-hole was accidentally created (likely by falling impact) the Udu’s musical implications were discovered. By quickly hitting the side hole with the palm of the hand and closing the top hole in varying degrees with the other hand, soothing yet subtly eerie tones can be achieved. The ethereal sounds were even thought to be voices of ancestors passed. Since water-carrying duties were primarily fulfilled by the women of the Igbo tribe, the Udu drum possesses a special feminine history and was used for women’s ceremonial purposes.

Take a look at the Udu’s role in traditional Igbo music:

Udu Today

Various playing methods for the Udu including striking with the fingers, palm, and even putting water inside of the jug, display the wide assortment of deep, liquid-like bass tones it’s capable of. Due to this unique versatility in sound, Udu drums can be used in a variety of musical styles and genres today. Probably the most popular modern song employing the Udu would be Sting’s Desert Rose. You can begin hearing it most clearly at around 0:20 in the music video below.

In addition, the Udu can be a unique compliment to any DJ ensemble. Take a look at the video below:

How It’s Made

The spherical shape is made out of a porous clay or stoneware. Traditionally the process was done by women completely by hand and they fired the pottery in a simple firing pit. Great care had to be taken to avoid air bubbles, as that would lead to breaking during the firing process. Modern-day udus are typically made of stoneware with various pottery tools, and then fired in a kiln.

Udus for Purchase

Here at Mother Rhythm, we have a variety of modern stoneware Udus available for purchase, including those made by LP and our own in-house line. You can view our Udu selection at the following link:

http://motherrhythm.com/store/udus/

Djembe Drumming for Seniors

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The djembe is quite possibly one of the most versatile instruments around. Not only can it span music genres, but the act of djembe drumming itself also transcends cultures, ethnicity, and age. Since we’ve already discussed drumming for kids, today we’re going to touch on just a few of the reasons why drumming benefits seniors in particular, as well as offer a few good product suggestions for those in their later years.

Benefits of Djembe Drumming For Seniors

Drumming Builds Community and Relationships:

Group drumming and drum circles are a great way to enhance connectedness with others. Since each individual drummer is a part of a grander rhythm scheme, it makes for a powerful sense of group bonding and discourages isolation. For those seniors looking to get out and establish new relationships, djembe drumming is a great option. For those in an assisted/group living situation, drumming is a great bonding activity.

Drumming Keeps the Mind Strong

In a study performed at the University of Colorado Boulder, drumming was shown to significantly increase attention span and focus in those with Alzheimer’s. The study claimed that those in an advanced state of dementia were sometimes able to regain the ability to speak after just one drumming session.

Drumming Is Good For Your Health

A recent medical research study conducted by cancer expert Barry Bittman, MD, indicates that drumming boosts the immune system. The study claimed that group drumming actually increases cancer killing cells, which help the body fight cancer and other viruses.

Djembe Suggestions For Seniors

We always say that there’s no one set of rules for which type of djembe you should play for your age, height etc. Each individual is unique, so please don’t think of the guidelines below as restrictions. The important thing is the act of drumming itself and not getting too hung up in the details.

Light-weight djembes: Synthetic djembes, particularly Fiberglass Djembes , are a wonderful light-weight alternative to wooden djembe versions, and you definitely won’t sacrifice sound with these. Check out the clip of Jesus Ramirez demonstrating an XL Key-Tuned Fiberglass Djembe below.

Low-maintenance Djembes: We always stress that the Mali-weave process used to tune a rope-tuned djembe drum is much easier than it looks. However, it can take a bit of strength and some seniors would rather just drum without having to worry about this process. That’s why we recommend a key-tuned Fiberglass Djembe. Each one of these djembes comes with a tuning wrench and all it takes is tightening of the lugs whenever you feel the need to tune it.

Djembe Carrying Cases: A djembe bag can make a world of difference when it comes to lugging your djembe around from place to place. A proper djembe bag will have cushioned straps and a layer of padding which not only protects your drum but also makes it much easier on you to tote your djembe around.

Good Seniors’ Djembes:

Key-Tuned Kente Fiberglass Djembe w/ Bag by Freedom Drums

Key-Tuned Midnight Fiberglass Djembe w/ Bag by Freedom Drums

Toca Key-Tuned Freestyle Djembe

Toca Black Mamba Key-Tuned Freestyle Djembe

Kids' Djembes: Rhythm at All Ages

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The all-inclusive energy of drumming and drum circles is what prompts many to pick up their first djembe. Hand drums like djembes are a great first instrument choice for kids because they come in a variety of sizes to suit your child’s stature. The good news for parents is that these smaller djembes are also extremely affordable. Take a look at the different sizes of youth djembes below.

“”:http://motherrhythm.com/store/mini-djembe
Mini Kids Djembe:
Measures 7”-8” Tall x 4”-5” Head. Good for ages 2-4. Not recommended for children above 5.

“”:http://motherrhythm.com/store/brown-tree-bark-junior-djembe
Small Kids Djembe:
Measures 11”-12” Tall x 7”-8” Head. Good for ages 4-6. Despite their size, these small djembes are capable of making great tones. We have these childrens djembes in a variety of styles from which to choose.

Medium Kids Djembe:
Measures 15”-16” Tall x 8”-9” Head. Good for ages 6-12. These also produce great tones and come in a variety of designs.

Large Kids Djembe: Measures 19”-20” Tall x 10” Head. Good for ages 12+. These djembes are often purchased by adults, however, they’re also a great choice for young adults looking to seriously embark in hand percussion. These generally weigh in at about 8-10 pounds, so if you think this is too heavy for your child, a fiberglass djembe would be a great lighter-weight alternative.

Two additional sizes are the XL and XXL. These are considered to be adult djembes and usually aren’t recommended for smaller children due to their weight and bulk.

Whatever you decide for your child, keep in mind that each kid is unique and the above guidelines aren’t all- encompassing. If you have any questions about which djembe would be best for your child, please feel free to contact us.

Djembe Weight

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

When looking for a djembe online, you might notice that specs like size and materials are the primary focus and often the weight of each drum may be hard to find. This is generally because the djembe weight varies depending on the density of the particular piece of wood from which it’s carved. If weight is a concern, the following chart will be a useful guide for you:

List Size	Measurements (inches)	Weight (pounds)
Small	11”-12” Tall x 7” Head	3-5 lb
Medium	15”-16” Tall x 8” Head	6-8 lb
Large	19”-20” Tall x 9” Head	9-11 lb
XL	23”-24” Tall x 12” Head	14-19 lb
XXL	25”-26” Tall x 13” Head	19-25 lb

Keep in mind that the above weight specs are for the mahogany wooden djembes sold at motherrhythm.com Djembes made from other hardwoods will have differing weight ranges. If weight is a factor in your decision, always make sure to ask the seller before you buy.

The most commonly recommended djembe size for adults is the XL (23”-24” x 12”). If you’re an adult looking for a optimal-sized djembe yet think that 14-19 pounds may be to cumbersome, there are a couple of options for you. First, a synthetic fiberglass djembe can be an excellent alternative. These drums are lightweight (weighing in at no more than 8 pounds), extremely durable, and offer a wonderfully resonating and distinct sound. To hear just how awesome these are, check out the following video of Jesus Ramirez jamming on an XL Fiberglass Djembe by Freedom Drums.

Djembe Cases Make All The Difference

In addition, if you’re worried that a djembe’s weight may be difficult to travel with and take around the campfire, a djembe case would be a great idea for you. Not only do cases make it 100x easier to travel with your drum, they also protect your drum and help to shield it from harsh climactic conditions that can lead to cracking or loss of tune. Each of the djembe bags sold at motherrhythm.com include adjustable and padded straps, which means that you can conveniently tote your djembe around just like a backpack. Our classic style djembe bags offer this convenience in a variety of designs and our heavy duty djembe bags offer the ultimate in protection for the traveling musician.

The Best Beginner Djembe

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

In the market for your first djembe but feeling a bit overwhelmed as to where to begin? When confronted with all the sizes, styles, and constructions available, deciding on your first djembe can be a daunting task to say the least. If you, like many other first-time djembe buyers, find yourself growing anxious over which drum to choose, you’ve come to the right place! Without further ado, here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when making your purchase, as well as a few product suggestions for the beginning player.

Price

Like many things in life, moderation is key. That’s why we don’t recommend spending $500+ on your first djembe and then fretting about taking it anywhere or even playing it for fear that your investment will lose value. Don’t get us wrong, there are some incredible djembes on the market available for a small fortune, but we usually recommend those for the seasoned player wanting to add a collection piece to their ensemble. If you’re simply looking for something to play that has great sound, you can achieve all that and more for a fraction of the price.

On the other side of the coin, we absolutely don’t condone selecting the cheapest, dinkiest djembe you can find, and then expecting to sound like Leon Mobley in no time. In all liklihood, you’ll find that the sub par sounds this type of drum is capable of producing will hinder your playing development and result in frustration. Keep in mind that poor and great quality drums come in all price ranges and knowing what to look for in a quality drum is key in not getting duped.

The Takeaway:

It’s not necessary to invest more than $300 on your first djembe. A first-time buyer can spend as little as in the $100 range and be more than satisfied.

Size

An ideal size for an adult player is what we call the XL size, which measures 23”-24” tall with a 11”-12” playing surface. We find that this size provides the optimum blend of bass and slap tones as well as offers the best level of playing comfort for adults. With that said, this is not the end-all-be-all to sizes. We have a member of our staff who feels most comfortable playing the L size (19”-20” x 9”-10”) and we also find that many taller men prefer the XXL size (25”-26” x 12.5”-13.5”) as it suits their stature and provides the most bass. Sticking to these three sizes and keeping your own personal preferences and comfort levels in mind will insure the most success.

The Takeaway:

For a serious adult player, stick to sizes no lower than 19”-20” tall with a 9”-10” playing surface, while keeping in mind that the ideal djembe size for an adult measures 23”-24” tall with a 11”-12” playing surface.

Construction

Synthetic or wood? Rope-tuned or key-tuned? Which one is the best for me? The answer to that question is, it depends on what you’re looking for, none is really better than the other! Each type has its own advantages and unique sound qualities. Synthetic Djembes such as Fiberglass Djembes are light-weight and durable with a loud, crisp sound. On the other hand, wooden djembes have a more traditional sound and aesthetic. Rope-tuned djembes also have a more traditional look and feel, as well as a tighter sound due to the roping system. Key-Tuned djembes offer the convenience of the ability to manipulate the degree of tuning with a tuning wrench, rather than learning how to perform the Mali Weave tuning method required for a rope-tuned drum. Choosing which construction is best for you is 100% about preference and what matters the most for you. If traditional aesthetic is more important for you, look for a wooden drum. If you’re looking for a durable djembe with a sound that’s tight, crisp, and loud, look for a rope-tuned fiberglass drum. If you’re looking for something durable and convenient, look for a key-tuned fiberglass djembe. For more information on this topic, visit our article on synthetic djembe sound and wooden djembe sound.

The Takeaway:

Decide what’s most important to you: Aesthetics, convenience, durability, etc; then make your selection accordingly.

Beginner Djembe Suggestions

Here are few among many djembes that would be ideally suited for the beginner djembe player while keeping the above factors in mind. You are by no means limited to these, however. If you use the above guidelines, you’ll find that whereever you go, selecting the right djembe will be a whole lot easier!

Key-Tuned Kente Djembe

Antique Cherry Djembe

Black Line-Carved Djembe

Basic Jammer Djembe

Pro Series Djembe

Other Helpful Resources:

Djembe Rope: The Importance of Quality

7 Easy Tips to Help You Select a Djembe

14 inch Djembes

12 inch Djembes

10 inch Djembes

Djembe Buyer’s Guide

Djembe Rope-The Importance of Quality

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

We’ve said it before, but we can’t stress it enough; quality rope is an essential component of a great-sounding rope-tuned djembe drum. The rope determines the degree of tuning to which the djembe is capable; without the right kind of rope, even an otherwise excellent djembe will be produce a sub-par tone at best. That’s why we’ve outline the traits of quality djembe rope, so you know what to look for, whether as a first-time buyer, or someone seeking to add a quality instrument to their collection.

Each of the djembes on motherrhythm.com come equipped with high performance rope that meet 100% of these standards. Wherever you purchase you djembe, be sure to take these tips into consideration to avoid disappointment!

How Thick is the Rope?

Rope thickness is obviously indicative of rope-strength. The rope on a djembe is made from one continuous piece of tuning rope and is the backbone of the tuning system. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that you wouldn’t want a thin piece of dental floss holding it all together! Most high-performance djembes will have 5 mm rope, however the size of the djembe will determine the thickness of rope it requires. Follow the guidelines below to determine which thickness of rope is best for each size djembe:

Djembe Size	Ideal Rope Thickness
19”-20” x 9”-10”	4 mm
23”-24” x 11”-12”	5 mm
25”-26” x 12.5”-13.5”	5-6 mm

What Kind of Material is the Rope Made From?

Rope comes in many forms and can be made from many different types of materials. The two main types of rope materials that should be used for a djembe are nylon and polyester. Nylon is one of the strongest synthetic fibers used in rope manufacturing, while still containing a degree of malleability that comes in handy when tuning your djembe (as opposed to stiff rope that fights you with every step). It also has a low-stretch rating, which is essential for maintaining a djembe’s tune (unless you want to tune it every day!). Most high-performance djembes utilize nylon rope, however polyester is another alternative that provides the same benefits. Whichever you choose, make sure to stick with nylon or polyester ONLY, any other rope material is better suited for other applications.

How Strong Is the Rope?

All quality djembe rope will be listed as HTB, that is “High Tensile Braided.” Good rope will have an internal core made of multiple strands braided together. Internally-braided nylon rope has the greatest strength to elongation ratio, meaning that it’s extremely low-stretch—ideal for the player seeking to maintain the much-sought tight, crisp sound of a tuned djembe.

How Many Pairs of Rope Laterals?

This is a hugely important factor in determining the djembe’s sound quality. Each rope-tuned djembe will have vertical ropes extending from the top ring of the djembe to the bottom waist ring (keep in mind that these vertical ropes are made up of all one long piece of rope). The vertical ropes are divided into pairs which are called “lateral pairs.” Lateral pairs are created as sections of the rope are looped onto the rings. The more vertical pairs you have, the better your drum will sound, as they reinforce the rope tension and help distribute the tension evenly around the drum head, resulting in a great sound and fewer overtones. Each drum has an ideal amount of lateral pairs based on its size. Refer to the chart below to see how many lateral pairs a djembe should have.

Djembe Size	Ideal # of Lateral Pairs
19”-20” x 9”-10”	20-25
23”-24” x 11”-12”	24-35
25”-26” x 12.5”-13.5”	28-35

Whatever the amount of lateral pairs the djembe has, try to stick with the above numbers. Ideally, the drum will have pairs numbering on the higher side of the scale for its size, although much more can be somewhat gimmicky and could result in overpaying for bells and whistles disguised as function.

With all of this said, you should now know approximately what to look for in djembe rope. The rope quality should not be ignored if you’re seeking a drum with quality sound and, aside from the shell itself, should arguably be one of the first things you inspect before purchasing.

As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions!

Didgeridoos: PVC vs. Bamboo

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Wondering which material to choose when it comes to didgeridoo construction? Well if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford an expensive eucalyptus, or teak didgeridoo, Mother Rhythm Drums offers two very affordable alternatives, which perform and sound great.

If you’re seeking a more organic look, feel and sound, then a bamboo didgeridoo is the route to go. Bamboo didgeridoos are light-weight, easy to play and generally produce resonant warm tones. However, keep in mind that bamboo is a tropical plant, and when introduced to the typically colder, dryer climates of North America, it’s more prone to eventually develop cracks. A cracked bamboo didgeridoo will leak air and, as a result, cannot be played, therefore is rendered useless. One method to reduce the incident of bamboo cracking is to resin coat bamboo didgeridoos with epoxy resin. This can be achieved by filling an elongated receptacle (a 4 inch wide PVC plumbing pipe perhaps 5 feet long and capped off at one end) with epoxy resin, and temporarily submersing each one to ensure the inside and outside walls of the didgeridoo are completely coated, then allowed to hang out and dry. The epoxy resin coating will strengthen the walls of the didgeridoo, thereby reducing he incident of cracking. Many believe the epoxy resin coating results in better tones as well. However, the epoxy resin coating will remove the organic component of the instrument as compared to just leaving it 100% natural.

Comparatively, a PVC Didgeridoo is even lighter weight than bamboo. They’re not affected by climate fluctuation (shrinking and swelling), therefore not prone to cracking (unless you physically damage it). PVC is by far the easiest on which to learn and play, and they also don’t need to be waxed. In addition, the thin walls of a PVC didgeridoo don’t absorb as much energy while played, resulting in a very loud and intense drone. The pitch variation on a PVC didgeridoo is absolutely incredible. If great sound is your goal on an easy to play starter didgeridoo, we recommend you go with PVC.

Djembe Drum Heads: Goat Skin vs. Synthetic Skin

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Wondering which type of skin to choose for your djembe drum? Mother Rhythm Drums offers both traditional, authentic goat skin djembe drums, and modern synthetic head djembe drums.

If you’re looking for a primal, authentic look and sound to your drum, then traditional goat skin is the way to go. Goat skin provides well-rounded overall tones. Thicker skins will last longer, and can be tuned super tight with the Mali Weave, resulting in sharp slap tones, but limited bass. Thin skins will result in very crisp high-end slap and rim tones, and great bass but they won’t last as long. Moderately thick skins are the best choice, as they typically last a reasonable length of time and produce great bass tones with high-end slaps.

The only draw-back with goat skin is that skin is a membrane, therefore prone to absorbing moisture, particularly during periods of high humidity. As a result, goat skin drums require on-going tuning with the Mali Weave to maintain optimum sound, particularly if you live in a humid environment.

On the other hand, if you want a drum that maintains tune regardless of climate conditions, then a synthetic head djembe drum, particularly a FiberSkin headed djembe, is the way to go. Unlike goat skins, which can vary in thickness, synthetic skins such as FiberSkin are of the same thickness, therefore more consistency in sound from one drum to another. Synthetic heads also tend to last longer than natural goat skin. Although synthetic headed djembe drums lack the organic component and sound, it’s not enough to create major concern, particularly if you’re a novice or Vegan where the use of animal products is not an option.

As an important note, keep in mind that not all synthetic skins are created equal! Some synthetic skins are made of a harder plastic material, which results in a very tinny drum sound. A more ideal synthetic skin choice is something that looks and feels similar to goat skin. Freedom FiberSkin djembes do just that.

Wooden vs. Fiberglass Djembe Drum Bass

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Historically, djembe drums shells have been made of one-piece construction log wood. However, as global wood supplies continue to shrink, particularly of sufficient diameter to produce large playing surfaced wooden djembe drums, the industry will increasingly involve the manufacturing of djembe drums made of synthetic materials, particularly Fiberglass Djembes.

Such fiberglass construction djembes are offered at Mother Rhythm Drums. Specifically, Mother Rhythm Drums carries a wide selection of branded fiberglass djembe drums of various sizes called Freedom Drums.

In terms of djembe bass, the advantage of fiberglass over wooden djembe drum shells is that fiberglass djembe drum shells are more uniform in symmetry, which cannot always be guaranteed with hand-made wooden djembe drum shells where symmetry can vary widely. Of particular symmetry importance on a fiberglass djembe drum shell, is proper throat diameter. The wider the
throat diameter, the more air flow is achieved on properly executed center head bass
strokes resulting in a huge amount of bass. Wooden djembe drum shells often have narrower throat diameters, thereby reducing air flow on bass strokes, resulting in less pronounced bass. Fiberglass Freedom brand djembe drums provide a tremendous amount of bass in addition to an overall well-rounded sound. The bass literally vibrates pictures on walls when played indoors.

Therefore if you are looking for a big bass djembe drum, a Freedom Fiberglass djembe drum is definitely the way to go!
To see a Freedom Fiberglass djembe in action, take a peek at the video below.

7 Easy Tips to Help You Select a Djembe

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:00:00 +0000

With so many options out there, selecting a djembe drum best suited for you can be an overwhelming task. The 7 tips below will help you narrow your selection as well as provide general knowledge to start you on your path to djembe drumming.

1. Djembe Size

Sometimes, people looking for their first djembe will buy the smallest, most inexpensive drum they can find and expect to become a professional djembe player in no time. Please do not make this mistake! Smaller djembes are fantastic for children, but as an adult player you should opt for a djembe with at least a 9”-10” playing surface diameter and a 19”-20” height. Your hands need room to learn all the different striking techniques and trying to play a djembe that is significantly too small will work against you. For many players, the most comfortable djembe playing position, is seated in a chair, with feet planted on the floor and the djembe lifted slightly off the ground while anchored between feet and knees. In this position, the drum will ideally rise about 2-3 inches above your knees (if much lower, your knees will be obstacles while striking and if much higher, your arms will be raised uncomfortably high while striking). The following sizes are the most commonly recommended for adult players: 10 inch L Djembe, 12 inch XL Djembe (most popular), 14 inch XXL Djembe.

2. Djembe Drum Materials and Construction

Traditional djembes are made from a single piece of wood (ie mahogany, lenke, etc) and range from Intermediate/Jammer to Professional Djembes (Please note these categorizations refer to djembe construction quality rather than player skill level) and come in a variety of sizes. Most wooden djembes are rope-tuned and commonly have goat skin heads. Many players like wooden djembes for their warm, rich tones in addition to their traditional hand-carved look.
Djembes can also be constructed of synthetic materials, such as Fiberglass djembes. Fiberglass djembes often have a more amplified, resonating tone with deeper bass. As a result, many players prefer these while performing so the djembe can be heard among other instruments. Players also like fiberglass djembes for their extreme durability and light-weight. These qualities make for an ideal traveler’s djembe.
With that said, you should select the djembe best suited for your preferences and lifestyle. If you’re a person who likes a lot of bass or may be traveling frequently with your djembe, you may want to consider a fiberglass djembe. If you like warm, full tones and a traditional hand-carved look, you should consider a wooden djembe.

3. Environmentally Friendly Djembe

It’s very important to consider the wood source of your djembe. Is the wood used to make the djembe Lacey Act compliant? Purchasing items made from illegal wood is extremely harmful to the ecosystems of the world at large, and provides much more detriment to Mother Nature than the rhythms you play on drums carved from it will ever benefit you as a player. All the djembes on motherrhythm.com are from government certified Lacey Act compliant sustainably harvested wood. Never buy from a company that can’t back this up. If a drum from another company sounds too cheap, it probably is. Particularly on Ebay you will see knock-off carvings of drums that appear similar to legitimate products, but are made from illegally harvested wood. Not only are these drums inferior in quality to our drums, they are leaving behind an ecological footprint that is unsustainable.

4. Djembe Head

Most wooden djembes have goat skin heads. Jammer style wooden djembes have treated goat skin heads, and professional wooden djembes have untreated goat skin heads, providing for better tonal range and increased bass.
Many fiberglass drums also have goat skin heads, but more often than not, they will come equipped with a synthetic head. If you decide to select a synthetic-headed djembe, keep in mind that not all synthetic heads are created equal! Some synthetic heads consist of a harder plastic, resulting in a very tinny sounding drum. Other synthetic heads have a more realistic, malleable feel. Freedom Fiberglass Drums have FiberSkin synthetic heads, which look and feel very similar to goat skin, but maintain their tune much longer, which brings us to the next point…

5. Djembe Tuning

There are two types of tuning systems; Key-Tuned Djembes and Rope-Tuned Djembes. Key-tuned djembes are typically synthetic and include a tuning wrench which enables you to tighten the lugs around the djembe head and in turn make the skin stretch tighter over the head. Key-Tuned djembes are slightly more convenient for the beginner, however you will sacrifice a slight amount of sound quality, as a rope-tuning system holds the skin in place a little tighter.
Tuning a rope-tuned djembe involves a process called the “Mali Weave” which is the process of weaving the extra tuning rope around the djembe head in a diamond pattern, thus creating tighter tension on the skin. The Mali Weave process is actually much easier than it looks, and something you should eventually learn as a player. There are many helpful resources and videos across the internet that demonstrate how to tune a rope-tuned djembe drum. If you’re willing to learn this relatively simple process, you will find owning a rope-tuned djembe drum quite rewarding.
With regards to tuning frequency, this is largely dependent on the conditions in which you store your djembe and your sound preferences. If you would like your djembe to maintain its tune longer, it’s best to keep it indoors and in a case. If you prefer a tighter sound, you’ll probably find that you want to tune it more often.

6. Djembe Tuning Rope

This is a very important factor to consider if you’ve decided to select a rope-tuned djembe. Just like djembe heads, not all djembe tuning rope is created equal. Low quality rope on a djembe can truly make an otherwise excellent drum sound sub par. When selecting a rope-tuned djembe, make sure that the rope used is internally braided and non-stretch. This allows the tuning to stay in place. If the rope used is stretchy and more similar to twine, all the work you put into tuning it will be for naught, and you will find yourself with a drum that sounds forever out-of-tune. Ideally, the rope will be made from nylon or polyester material, will be between 4 and 5 mm in width, and will not twist or spiral.

7. Djembe Cost

As mentioned earlier, it’s important not to select the smallest, cheapest djembe you can find and expect a great-performing instrument. With that said, however, it is still possible to get a high-quality djembe without breaking your budget. High-quality adult size djembes can start at $99.
For players not so concerned with aesthetic imperfections such as minor dents, scratches, small areas filled in with wood glue, slight skin discoloration, etc, there are additional opportunities to save BIG without sacrificing performance or sound quality. The beginner player will often find that their instrument may become slightly scuffed during the playing process anyway, so it can benefit you to receive or ask about discounts on blemished djembes.

Jesus Ramirez Demonstrates Djembe Rhythms on Freedom Drums

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Check out this video of Jesus Ramirez demonstrating just how versatile the djembe can be with his Freedom Drums djembes. Purchase any Freedom Drums percussion item at the following link:

http://motherrhythm.com/store/freedom-drums

Happy Drumming!

Hand Percussion Stocking Stuffers From Mother Rhythm Drums

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Hello fellow percussion enthusiasts. We’re happy to introduce our hand percussion stocking stuffer page for those wanting to give the gift of rhythm this holiday season.
These smaller instruments are a spectacularly unique gift for both children and adults alike. Choose from a variety of instrument types, including the popular Monkey Drum, as featured in the “Karate Kid” as well as the Coconut Thumb Piano, a long-standing favorite.
All of the percussion stocking stuffers offered here at Mother Rhythm are below $30 with no additional shipping charges, so whatever you choose, you’ll be sure to spread the noise around without breaking your budget!
Also, keep checking back as we continue to add more of these smaller gifts,

~Be Well In Rhythm
Mother Rhythm Drums Staff

Synthetic Djembe Sound vs. Wooden Djembe Sound

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:00:00 +0000

One of the more frequently asked questions we get here at Mother Rhythm is how a synthetic djembe sound differs from that of a wooden djembe sound. We want to take a moment here to bring some light on this subject and show you the characteristics of each drum as well as some sound clip examples for each. The examples we’ll be showing you today will be the one of the best Synthetic Djembes we’ve come across, the Freedom Fiberglass Djembe, and, similarly, one of the best wooden djembes listed on our site , The Freedom Pro Series djembe.

Keep in mind that each djembe is unique, so these specs are not all-encompassing for ALL Synthetic djembes or ALL Wooden Djembes. Many factors influence the sound of each particular drum such as synthetic djembe shell type (ie fiberglass, PVC), wood djembe shell type (ie mahogany, iroko), shell size, shell shape, skin type, shell density, degree of tuning etc, etc. Therefore the examples we give you are just examples, they’ll give you a great idea of sound and construction differences, but you shouldn’t expect your particular drum to sound exactly like what you hear in the sound clips.

For the Synthetic Djembe, let’s take a look at the XL Size Lava Flow Fiberglass Series Djembe by Freedom Drums:

Roped with premium internally braided HTB non-stretch nylon rope
Freedom’s innovative new FiberSkin head technology employed. The head looks and feels just like real goat skin but maintains its tune much longer.
Fiberglass shell makes for louder and resonating tones
Light-weight, easy to travel with, won’t crack during climactic fluctuations, etc
Two-ring head construction

Freedom Drums XL Lava Flow Fiberglass Series:

Now lets look at our wooden djembe example, the XL Conquering Lion Pro Series Djembe by Freedom Drums:

Made from one-piece plantation mahogany heartwood
Grooved spiral pattern into the interior shell wall for crisp airflow.
Kiln-dried with multiple coats of teak oil to prevent cracks.
Headed with premium shaved and untreated goatskins taken from the goat’s spine.
Three-ring head construction locks the skin in place and eliminates slippage.
Roped with premium internally braided HTB non-stretch nylon rope strong enough to last a lifetime.

Freedom Drums XL Conquering Lion Pro Series Sound Clip:

As you can see, each drum has it’s own set of advantages and unique qualities. From here, it’s all about what you prefer as an individual player and it’s also important to consider the setting in which you’ll be playing your drum. For example, if you’ll be traveling quite a bit, it would probably be a good idea to consider a synthetic djembe due to their lighter-weight quality. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a traditional look and sound that only a wooden djembe can provide, the choice will be obvious.
If you have any more questions about fiberglass drums, wooden drums, or anything drumming in general, please don’t hesitate to contact us. As always, “Be Well In Rhythm!”

-Mother Rhythm Drums Staff

Amazing Specials From Tycoon Percussion (Limited Time)

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Check out these awesome Tycoon Percussion Specials below available from Mother Rhythm Drums. These are the perfect packages at unbeatable prices right in time for the holiday season. The offer ends on December 31st, so get them before they’re gone!

Purchase any size Tycoon Dancing Drum Signature Series Djembe and receive a FREE Tycoon Djembe Case and Stand. That’s over a $371 value for as little as $179! Click here to buy. Purchase set of Tycoon Supremo Series Black Finish Congas and receive a FREE set of Tycoon Supremo Series Black Finish Bongos, a $598 value for a total price of only $289! Click here to buy. Purchase set of Tycoon Supremo Series Red Finish Congas and receive a FREE set of Tycoon Supremo Series Red Finish Bongos, a $598 value for a total price of only $289! Click here to buy. Purchase set of Tycoon Supremo Series Natural Finish Congas and receive a FREE set of Tycoon Supremo Series Natural Finish Bongos, a $598 value for a total price of only $289! Click here to buy.

Toca Djembe Drums For Sale

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Here at Mother Rhythm Drums, we offer the finest quality djembe drums and other percussion instruments available at the lowest prices online. In keeping with our tradition of providing our customers with the widest variety of hand percussion items possible, we’re proud to say that we’ve recently teamed up with Toca percussion and now offer their full line of quality hand drums. (You can view them here ). As one of the most trusted and widely-sold brands in the industry, Toca offers a variety of hand percussion instruments including the adult toca djembe and the kids toca djembe as well as a wide variety of other drum circle accessories in a range of prices. If there is a particular Toca djembe or other Toca product that you can’t seem to find, please “contact us” and we’ll do our best to help you track it down.

We also want to take the time to showcase one of the newest additions to Toca’s line of hand percussion products—the 14th Freestyle 5th Anniversary Toca Djembe . Not only is this a wonderfully-performing instrument, but a stunning work of art, as the drum includes beautiful glass-inlay in a mosaic pattern around its center, as well as a hand-painted and embossed red metallic finish—truly a sight to see. Its efficient bolt-tension system provides for easy and consistent tuning, and a synthetic head is stretched over a smooth, curved bearing edge that allows for the maximum in playing comfort. As a testament to this djembe’s stunning performance capabilities, listen to the sound clip below and hear for yourself.

This djembe is sold with a free heavy-duty protective bag to preserve the life and aesthetic of the drum and sells at a list price of $399. However, here at Mother Rhythm Drums, you can purchase it for $229 with no additional charges, including shipping. There is a limited production of these djembes (200 world-wide to be exact), so get yours before it’s too late! Also, be sure to check back as we continue to add more of your favorite hand-percussion brands. Until then, we invite you to browse our ever-increasing selection including other popular brands such as Freedom Drums, Remo Percussion, Roselynn Percussion, and Tycoon Percussion.

-Be Well In Rhythm
Mother Rhythm Drums Staff

Toca 14” Freestyle 5th Anniversary Djembe Sound Clip:

14" Djembe Drums

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Now that we’ve covered the characteristics of the 10 inch djembe and the 12 inch djembe, it’s time to talk about the 14” djembe, typically the largest standard djembe size. Remo and a few other djembe brands have djembes as large as 18 inches, but we’ll stick to the three standard sizes.

Large djembe drums like the 14” djembe are typically referred to on our site as an “XXL” size djembe and are usually the largest djembe we carry (with the exception of the 18 inch djembe mentioned above). The 14” wooden djembe typically measures 25”-26” tall with a 12.5”-13.5” playing surface and a 14”-15” overall head diameter. Synthetic Djembes such as the XXL Smooth Kente Fiberglass Djembe by Freedom Drums and Remo Djembes typically have an actual 13”-14” playing surface. Therefore, it’s important to remember that if you’d like the largest head possible, you’re probably better off going with a synthetic djembe.

The 14” djembe is a good fit for taller adults but, more often than not, the 14” djembe is sought after by those looking for a more powerful bass tone and a louder sound in general. Like we mentioned in our previous articles, the djembe head is similar to a sub woofer in that, as the diameter increases, the bass will also increase. The slap tone in a large djembe drum can tend to have more of a ringy overtone due to the larger head, so it’s our personal preference here at Mother Rhythm to play a djembe no larger than 14 inches in diameter. The preference of many players is to achieve a perfect blend of good bass and slap tones, and that often falls in the 12 inch djembe category. Many drummers will also choose to add a 14” djembe drum to their djembe collection, just to have a drum more capable of producing deep, powerful bass. The 14” djembe added to a collection including a 10” djembe and a 12” djembe will provide an excellent range of sounds and tones.

With all this said, let’s do a quick wrap up and go over the main characteristics of the three sizes:

10” Djembe Drum:

Sharp rim tones and higher-pitched overall sound
Convenient traveler’s drum and great for those of a smaller stature

12” Djembe Drum:

Nice blend of bass and rim tones
Most popular size ordered and played by adults

14” Djembe Drum:

Deep, powerful bass
Great for taller players or drummers looking to add a deeper bass component to their collection.

IMPORTANT TIPS

As the saying goes, bigger is not necessarily always better. A djembe with a very large head diameter will provide lots of bass, but may have more overtones than usual. We suggest selecting a drum with a head diameter no larger than 14 inches, unless you’re selecting a djembe for its bass alone.
Tuning makes all the difference and is highly subjective. One person may find a drum to be tight-sounding, while another may find that it needs to be tuned tighter (see what we mean by tuning here ). Therefore, never expect one 14” drum to sound exactly like the next, many factors other than size make each drum sound unique.

10" Djembe Drums

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Last week we talked about the 12 inch djembe, which is characterized by a nice blend of bass and rim tones, and is the most popular middle-of-the-road sized djembe played by adults. Today we’re going to talk about the 10” djembe; its traits and the types of people for which this djembe size is ideal.

The 10” djembe is often referred to as an “L” sized djembe on our site, and typically measures 19-20 inches tall with a 11-12 inch overall head diameter (measured from rim to rim) and a 9-10 inch playing surface. We list all 10” djembes on our site like this: 19”-20” x 9”-10”. You’ll often see this measurement listing when using the drop-down menus for each product in order to select the proper djembe size.

The 10” djembe is ideal for young adults or adults with a smaller stature. These drums are also great for class-room settings with young people. The 10” djembe makes a great traveler’s drum because it’s compact and light enough for convenience’s sake, but is still capable of spectacular performance and sound. For those seeking a djembe to play seriously and who wish to learn proper playing skills and technique, the 10” djembe is the smallest size we would recommend going with. The smaller sizes such as the 6 inch djembe and the 8 inch djembe are ideal for children age 10 or younger, but are not recommended for those adults or teens wanting to seriously pursue learning to play the djembe.

The 10” djembe is characterized by sharp rim tones and a higher-pitched overall sound. These drums still put out a considerable amount of bass for their size, but do not have as much bass as the 12 inch djembe or the 14” djembe. (Just like a sub woofer, the more the head diameter increases, the more the bass will increase as well). Therefore, if you’re looking for a drum with better than average bass, the 10” djembe is not for you. However, if you’re a person of smaller stature, or simply someone looking for an inexpensive and smaller traveler’s djembe that performs fantastically, the 10” djembe is the perfect choice for you.

With all this said, let’s take a look at what we have to offer in the way of 10” djembes. The Rust Line-Carved Djembe is a great example of a 10” intermediate djembe and an ideal choice for the player on a budget. The World Braid Pro Djembe by Freedom Drums is a great-performing 10” Pro Djembe and an ideal choice for someone looking for pristine performance bundled into a compact size. (Pro Djembes are usually capable of more bass due to the untreated skins and the lateral groove interior carvings ). Another great 10” djembe choice is the Smooth Chocolate Fiberglass Djembe by Freedom Drums . This drum is the ultimate choice for those looking for a light-weight vegan option (if choosing the FiberSkin) who don’t want to sacrifice performance.

Important Tips:

A drum’s size shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when picking a drum best-suited for you. Many adults are just as comfortable with the L and XXL sizes as they are with the XL (12” djembe), so don’t take this to mean that if you’re 5’7, you can’t buy an L size. Since every person and every drum is an individual, it’s important to remember that a person’s height does not limit them to only one particular djembe size.
Tuning makes all the difference and is highly subjective. One person may find a drum to be tight-sounding, while another may find that it needs to be tuned tighter (see what we mean by tuning here ). Therefore, never expect one 10” drum to sound exactly like the next, many factors other than size make each drum sound unique.
NEVER choose the smallest, cheapest drum you can find and expect good results in your playing skill progression. In most cases, you will find that you end up spending more because you’ll have to buy yet another, larger drum after you discover that your smaller drum will not suffice. The 10” djembe is the smallest djembe size we recommend for serious players. Djembes smaller than 10” are an ideal fit for children and typically aren’t considered a serious instrument for adults.

12" Djembe Drums

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Here at Mother Rhythm Drums, we have a vast selection of djembe drums in a wide variety of styles and sizes. We pride ourselves in being one of the largest online retailers of high quality djembes and other hand-percussion products, but we also realize that picking just the right drum for your needs out of so many can be a somewhat daunting process. That’s why it’s important to understand the different djembe sizes; their functions and what size is ideal for you. Specifically, we’re going to talk about the traits of the 12” djembe today (stay tuned for upcoming blog posts about the other sizes).

The 12” Djembe is the standard middle-of-the road size and the most popular size ordered and played by adults. Otherwise known as an “XL” sized djembe, these drums typically measure between 23 to 24 inches tall with a 11 to 12 inch playing surface and a 13 to 14 inch overall head diameter (measured from ring to ring). We list any 12” djembes on our site like this: 23”-24” x 11”-12”.

The 12” djembe is the most popular adult size, because it’s the most comfortable drum to play while in a seated position. Most adults with a height of about 5’6 or taller will find that, when seated on a chair with a 12” djembe between their legs with the djembe slightly lifted off the floor (anchored with knees and feet), the djembe head will be about 2”-3” inches above their legs/knees. This is ideal striking position while seated. By contrast, if the drum is too low, the player’s legs will be obstacles while striking, and if the drum is too high, the player will find it necessary to lift his or her arms higher, which may result in discomfort. Keep in mind that there are many other ways to play your djembe other than in the seated position and, hence, very tall people, people shorter than 5’6, or even preteens often-times choose this drum size, however we find that this is one of the most common playing positions.

Aside from playing comfort, it’s important to consider how drum size affects sound. If you compare the drum head to a sub woofer, you can imagine that, as the head diameter increases, the bass will increase as well. Since the 12” djembe, or XL Djembe, is the middle-of-the-road size, you can see that it will also have a perfect balance of deeper bass tone due to the somewhat wider playing surface, and snappy, higher-pitched rim tones. (Note that you can also tune/tighten the djembe to attain the desired effect). This is another reason why this is the most popular size ordered, as many players are looking to achieve a nice balance and blend of sound. This is not to say that the other sizes aren’t as good, each size has its own functions and traits and we’ll explain those in future blog posts.

With all this said, let’s take a look at what we have to offer in the way of 12” djembes. Here’s some examples of some of our most popular; a 12” Remo Djembe, a 12” Freedom Fiberglass Djembe, and one of our in-house 12” djembes (please keep in mind that you must use the drop-down menus for each product in order to select the proper size. We also have many more 12” djembes than what is listed here in a variety of styles and prices):

12 inch Remo Djembe

12 inch Freedom Fiberglass Djembe

12 inch In-house Djembe

Important Tips:

A drum’s size shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when picking a drum best-suited for you. Many adults are just as comfortable with the L and XXL sizes as they are with the XL (12” djembe), so don’t take this to mean that if you’re 5’7, you can’t buy an L size. Since every person and every drum is an individual, it’s important to remember that a person’s height does not limit them to only one particular djembe size.
Tuning makes all the difference and is highly subjective. One person may find a drum to be tight-sounding, while another may find that it needs to be tuned tighter (see what we mean by tuning here ). Therefore, never expect one 12” drum to sound exactly like the next, many factors other than size make each drum sound unique.

Djembe Drum Bags

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Knowing how to care for your djembe drum after your purchase is just as essential as selecting the right drum for your particular needs. Learning the Djembe tuning process is extremely important, as, over time, your drum will eventually need to be tightened to obtain the sound you’re seeking. (You would most definitely want to know how to tune your guitar, the same goes for a djembe!).

Just as important as tuning knowledge is knowing how to care properly for your djembe, and protecting your djembe is an absolute must if you want it to last you for many years to come. A djembe drum bag is the ultimate way to do this. Djembe drum bags are absolutely essential in protecting your drum against damage and environmental factors, such as climate extremes, pets, children, etc.

For example, the goat skin used on traditional wooden djembes is a membrane and membranes take on whatever happens to be in the air at the time. If there is high humidy, the skin will absorb moisture, and the result is a flat sounding drum that will need to be tuned more often. A Djembe Drum Bag provides a barrier against these external effects.

Also, since djembes are top-heavy, tip-overs and accidents are not unheard of. When your djembe is in a case, the likelihood of any damage resulting from a fall is greatly diminished by the protective barrier.

It is also essential to have a djembe drum bag while traveling, as your instrument may go through some climactic fluctuations, as well as more handling and movement, which may result in cracks and other damages when not protected. Djembe drum bags are also handy for travelers, as they make it immeasurably easier for the drummer to carry their djembe from one spot to another (Most Djembe Drum Bags are just like back-packs).

There are two main types of djembe drum cases and it’s important to pick the right one for your djembe and lifestyle. The first type of case is a Padded Djembe Drum Bag. This case is padded with a layer of foam and then quilted with fabric over the foam. The fabrics range in a variety of colors and motifs, and can be a great way to compliment the style of your existing drum. The Padded Djembe Drum Bag is ideal if you have a light-weight drum, such as a fiberglass djembe, and they’re also perfect for any types of hand drums that are mostly kept and played at home. These djembe drum cases have adjustable back-pack straps that allow you to transport it from place to place in a very convenient manner.

The second type of case is a Extra Padded Heavy Duty Drum Bag. This case is made with a very thick layer of foam and then coated with a more water-resistant fabric. These cases are so strong and durable, that they can stand up by themselves, even without the djembe inside. Another great feature about the Extra Padded Heavy Duty Bags is that the adjustable backpack straps are also padded, which means much more comfort for the djembe player on the move. This Bag is ideal for those who travel frequently, such as musicians transporting their djembe drum from gig to gig, or those who take their djembe to drum circles. This type of case is also a great fit for very heavy wooden drums, as the padded straps are much more durable and comfortable for lugging around a heavier instrument.

With all the good things a djembe drum bag offers for its contents, it may be time to grab one for yourself and experience the benefits. Here at Mother Rhythm Drums we have a huge selection of djembe drum cases in a variety of designs and types. Many of our Professional Djembes and Fiberglass Djembes already come with cases, so it’s a no-brainer! If you’re unsure of which type of case is best for you, you can contact us and our knowledgeable staff will aid you in the selection process. Check out our unbeatable prices and selection of Djembe Drum Bags, Professional Djembes, etc today!

IMPORTANT: When selecting and using your djembe drum bag, it’s imperative that you remember the following tips:

Always measure your drum height and width at the highest and widest points before purchasing your djembe drum bag online. The width is measured from outside rim to outside rim and NOT the playing surface of your djembe.
Most Djembe Drum Cases are made to fit the typical Mali-style djembe shape. If your djembe bells out more than usual at the bottom (such as a Senegalese-style djembe), it’s very important to double check that the case you have in mind will fit before you purchase
Some Key-Tuned drums, particularly Remo Djembe Drums will not fit into normal djembe drum bags due to the wider tuning lugs. Always ask if a case you want to purchase will fit your Remo before buying.
NEVER leave your djembe drum in a hot car, in the extreme cold, or left exposed to the elements, regardless if it’s in a case or not!

Drum Circles

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Drum Circles have become increasingly popular in today’s world. People’s interest in hand drums and hand drumming has grown tremendously over the years. Drum circles can be found in large and small communities alike throughout the world, and especially in recent years here in the United States.

Recent research from Barry Bittman, M.D., has confirmed that community drumming and drumming lessons have health advantages such as boosting your body’s immune system and lowering stress. Other benefits of drum circles and playing hand drums include the release of negative emotions, the creation of community and harmony with others, and psychological, spiritual, and physical healing.

Perhaps the best part about learning to play hand drums as opposed to other musical instruments is that virtually anyone can join in, no matter your musical skill, age, etc. All you need is a drum such as a djembe, conga, ashiko, or other traditional African hand drum, or else even a simple traditional shaker or modern shaker will do.

The beauty of a drum circle is that your sounds naturally blend in with the rest of the group. This gives beginner hand drummers the chance to build confidence and begin to explore drum circle rhythms. Drum circles and playing a hand drum are truly universal activities that anyone can do!

Mother Rhythm Drums keeps in tune with this all-inclusiveness by providing the finest professional hand drums and professional djembe drums on the market at prices that everyone can afford. Check out our full selection of drum circle instruments and professional hand drums today!

The highest quality djembes for sale from mother rhythm drums

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Are you interested in learning about playing the djembe drum, but feeling weary about buying a djembe online? Well look no further, Mother Rhythm Drums has you covered! Mother Rhythm has a variety of fine djembes for sale, ranging from professional djembes to beginner djembes.

Unlike other major online retailers who promise to inspect drums for flaws but never follow through, all of our djembe drums for sale undergo a rigorous inspection process before shipment, to be sure they look and sound amazing.

Those that don’t make our cut are sold on our discount djembe outlet site at a significantly reduced cost. Other retailers only sell majorly cracked djembe drums at these reduced prices: this means that the drums they are selling you at full retail price are often flawed in a way you will never experience buying with us! Ignore the hype surrounding their complicated websites: at Mother Rhythm, we make buying a djembe simple, personal, and professional.

Mother Rhythm has over 10 years of experience importing and selling djembes from around the world. Our reputation for selling quality djembes and professional hand drums has led us to be one of the largest djembe sellers in the world. Give us a try and see for yourself— Be Well In Rhythm— Mother Rhythm Drums Staff

To see some of our current djembes on sale, visit some of the following links:

Ruby Geometric Pro Djembe w/ Bag

Freedom Drums Smooth Kente Fiberglass Djembe

World Rhythm Djembe

Huge Summer Djembe Sale

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Hi folks, we want to let everyone know that our summer Djembe Sale has now begun and we’re reducing prices like crazy! Save up to 20% on select in-house djembes, just look for the red “Sale” tag.
Keep checking back for more specials and new products!

~Be Well In Rhythm
Mother Rhythm Drums

"In-house" & Freedom Drums Monthly Specials

Mon, 24 May 2010 07:00:00 +0000

You may have seen the term “in-house” djembes thrown around on our site. We typically use this term regarding our monthly specials, where every in-house or Freedom Drums purchase over $150 will include a free hand percussion gift. “In-house” drums are drums we import directly to our warehouse and are not from any particular brand. Examples of this are the Ruby Geometric Pro, the Ebony Flame Ashiko, the Deep-Carved Chocolate Djembe,, etc. Basically, any drum that you see on our site that doesn’t have a brand name in the title (brand names like “Tycoon” or “Freedom Drums”) are all part of our in-house collection and automatically include a free percussion gift on orders $150 or over. (This month, it’s the heart kalimba and each month it changes, so keep checking back).
Along with our “in-house” collection, all Freedom Drums purchases over $150 will also include the free monthly percussion gift.
This is just one of the many ways we want to extend our thanks and provide the best possible buying experience to our customers. We understand that we are your eyes, and more importantly your ears, when buying a drum online. This concept goes into each and every drum we prepare and ship, and our attempt is always toward maximizing quality and buying experience.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about specials, or if you just want to chat.

_{Be Well In Rhythm}
Mother Rhythm Drums & Imports

Spring is the perfect time to get into drumming!

Mon, 10 May 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Happy Spring! So we wanted to take a little time today to mention to those of you who are new to drumming that Spring is my favorite time of year to drum! There’s something about thawing off the chill and life coming back into the countryside that seems to inspire everyone around you to make music.

If you’ve been thinking of getting a djembe or other professional hand drum, look no further, Mother Rhythm Drums has the largest selection of professional hand drums, djembe drums, and hand percussion products on the market today.

We put a real focus into our customer service at Mother Rhythm Drums—if you’re unsure of what the right drum for you is, contact us with any questions you might have, and our friendly, professional staff will give you all the guidance you need. As always, you can call us toll free at 1-888-869-6293 Monday thru Saturday, 9:00 am (central time)— 8:00pm.

We sincerely hope that those of you out there who are thinking about getting into hand drumming will give it a shot, and give us a chance to earn your business. Drumming is one of the most fulfilling activities around, and it promotes mental focus, calms the mind and soul, and gives a greater appreciation of music as a whole. Be Well In Rhythm!!!

African Talking Drums and Hand Percussion From Freedom Drums Now Available

Fri, 07 May 2010 07:00:00 +0000

New Freedom Drums Classic Series Talking Drums now available for purchase on Mother Rhythm Drums. These African talking drums are completely natural and hand made from the finest quality material.
Also, check out our newest hand percussion additions from Freedom Drums. Freedom Drums’ line of hand percussion products includes bells, shakers, marakas, and generally everything you need to give your percussion section or drum circle that extra pop. All of their professional handheld percussion instruments are hand made by master craftsmen from various spots around the world.

Keep checking back for new product additions, we have a bunch more to add in the coming months!

_{Be Well In Rhythm}
Mother Rhythm Drums

Cajons by Roselynn Percussion now availabe at Mother Rhythm Drums

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Check out our newest product on the site-the finest quality cajons on the market today by Roselyn Percussion! Check out their Session Line and keep checking back as we continue to add more from this amazing brand.

Didgeridoo Sale!

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:00:00 +0000

In light of the recent appearance of the didgeridoo in several mainstream venues such as American Idol, we want to extend to you a 10% discount on all of our in-stock didgeridoos. Experience this unique Aboriginal instrument for yourself with a little help on us! (If you’re a beginner, the PVC didgeridoos are among the easiest to play).

Click the link below to check out our selection and apply code “didg410” at check out. The special ends at 11:59 pm on April 15th, so get your discount on before it’s gone!

Mother Rhythm Didgeridoos

“Be Well In Rhythm”
Mother Rhythm Drums

Mother Rhythm Drums Facebook Storefront

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Want more ways to buy Mother Rhythm products online? Check out our Facebook storefront! That’s right, you can now buy Mother Rhythm products as well as the brands we carry on Facebook. Check it out here:

Mother Rhythm Drums Facebook Storefront

You can also “Like” of our FB page below and see all of our updates on specials, product updates, and other djembe news. See you there!

Tycoon Percussion Products are now available from Mother Rhythm Drums!

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Mother Rhythm is proud to be the newest online retailer of Tycoon Percussion products! Tycoon has built a reputation in the industry for high quality hand percussion instruments such as djembes, doumbeks, congas, bongos, and much more!
Check out Tycoon Percussion Products available from Mother Rhythm—now you can buy the brands you trust most from the most trusted retailer in the industry! We’ve been around longer than almost any other online hand percussion store thanks to our loyal customers and extensive customer service!

Djun Djun Drums From Mother Rhythm

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Mother Rhythm Drums now has Djun Djun Drums back in stock!!! The wooden djuns come in three sizes:

Kenkeni (Small-19”-20” tall x 10” playing surface): highest tone
Sangban (Medium-23”-24” tall x 12”): middle range tone
Dundunba (Large-25”-26” tall x 13.5” playing surface): low bass tone

And the fiberglass djuns come in two sizes:

Sangban (Medium-19”-20” tall x 11.5” playing surfaces) middle range tone
Dundunba (Large-19”-20” tall x 14.5” playing surfaces) low bass tone

You can buy the individual drums or get a price break on a full set! Check them out here and get yours before they are gone!!!

The Finest Djembes and Hand Percussion Products: A Mother Rhythm Drums Tradition

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Here at Mother Rhythm Drums we pride ourselves on providing high quality hand percussion products, and djembe drums in particular, to hand drummers across the United States and Canada. What started as one man’s new-found passion for drum circles has evolved into the finest online djembe and professional hand percussion store on earth.

We are expanding our scope as a company to include some of the best name brands in the industry, along with our same “In-House” drums (drums we import directly). The change is intended to maximize our variety and bring even more instruments into the fold, while continuing to be the company that you have known and trusted for the last 10 years.

We are so blessed to have so many loyal and great customers, and we strive everyday to provide each of you with the best possible buying experience. We understand that we are your eyes, and more importantly your ears, when buying a drum online. This concept goes into each and every drum we prepare and ship, and our attempt is always toward maximizing quality and buying experience.

Check back with us periodically over the coming weeks to see all the new products that are popping up on our site! Thanks again for shopping with Mother Rhythm Drums, if there is ever anything you need or have questions about, please don’t hesitate to contact us — we’re here to help!

Video of Freedom Drums Products in Action from 2010 NAMM Show!

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Hello all! Check out this video below of Grammy Nominated Percussionist Leon Mobley and others jamming on Freedom Drums Professional Series djembes at the Winter NAMM Show 2010! After you hear this you’ll fully understand why we are so happy to carry all of Freedom Drums amazing hand percussion products. (at the end of the video you’ll notice Freedom Drums Sponsored Artist Jesus Ramirez getting in on the action as well)

Instructional Video on Rope Tuning a Djembe by Freedom Drums

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Check out the step by step instructional video from Freedom Drums on rope tuning a djembe using the Mali Weave tuning method. Our partner Michael Pool leads the instruction!

Freedom Drums Professional Series Design Specs

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

You may have noticed the AMAZING new products on our site from Freedom Drums. As Freedom Drums’ new website won’t be online until next week, we are posting some specs here for you to read about their Professional Series Djembes. More information will be available in a few days at www.freedomdrums.com. The following is an excerpt from their catalog:

“All Freedom Drums Professional Series Djembes are designed using a combination of modern and traditional building techniques for superior sound. Each Professional Series Djembe is hand-carved to the following standards:

Shell

Handmade from one-piece sustainably-harvested eco-friendly mahogany heartwood.
Precision-lathe turned by Master Woodworkers for even shell wall thickness and symmetrical shape, then followed up with a grooved spiral pattern hand-carved into the interior wall of the shell for crisp airflow and reduced overtones.
Kiln dried with multiple coats of teak oil to prevent cracks.
Sanded, rounded, and waxed bearing edge provides optimal tones and playing comfort, as well as prolonged skin life.
Hand-carved shell exterior by multi-generation Master Carvers.

Head Mount

Headed with premium shaved and untreated goatskins taken from the goat’s spine for optimal thickness.
Three-ring head construction locks the skin in place and eliminates slippage, helping to maintain tune and prolong the life of the skin.
Roped with premium internally braided HTB non-stretch nylon rope strong enough to last a lifetime.”

We hope this information will be useful for you in your buying decisions. We highly recommend them! Check out these sound clips:
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javascript:insertFileTag(’‘, ‘’) Be Well In Rhythm….

Mother Rhythm Drums is proud to be the first authorized online seller of Freedom Drums products!

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Mother Rhythm Drums is proud to announce our partnership with Freedom Drums, the hottest new percussion brand on the United States market. These are among the finest products we’ve ever carried on our site, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Currently Freedom Drums has released only a fraction of the many products that are coming soon. These include Professional Series Djembes, Fiberglass Series Djembes, Fiberglass Series Doumbeks, CustomFit Djembe Cases, Heavy-Duty Djembe cases, and Children’s Djembes.

However, an entire line of products is currently in production, including traveller congas, talking drums, dunduns, udus, various shakers, etc. Stay tuned throughout 2010 for product introductions!

Check out what people are saying about Mother Rhythm Drums

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:00:00 +0000

We love our customers and our customers love us. Here’s what they’ve been saying about our quality and service:

“I found your information to be quite substantive in appeal, and definitely educational. Consistent pursuit of the highest standards, and honesty came to my mind concerning your organization, as I carefully, and thoroughly did my drum research- i.e. “due diligence” homework.
The information you shared on your website indicates to me that you are a first rate organization. Thus I am inclined to spend my hard earned money with you, instead of some other drum dealer. Sincerely.”
-Ralph M.

“Just a note to say thank you. I bought a tribal motif fiberglass djembe for my son for Christmas. He loves the drum. He has practiced so much his hands are sore. He is leaving the corporate world early next year for teaching and is already planning how to use the djembe as a teaching tool. Thanks for the excellent drums and the excellent service.”
-Jim C.

“My djembe arrived today. What a beautiful instrument, It sounds amazing. Its been a great experience dealing with your company. I’m new to playing hand drums and felt really confused on what drum to buy until I found your site. Mother Rhythm has so much info, excellent prices and a honest approach. I’m now a loyal customer and will spread the word to others.”
-Ron H.

“I just wanted to thank you deeply for providing such great service. It is rare to find such a wonderful organization. Fast shipment, no shipping charges, surreal deal on the drum / package… Wow!” (13”-14” Djemboo)
-Sarah B.

“Hey dudes-This has never happened in my history of ordering stuff over the net, but the drum arrived yesterday, Tues, less than 24 hours after I ordered it! Anyway the drum is beautiful, the sound is excellent, and I’m a happy drummer.” (13”-14” New Geometric Pro)
-Larry S.

“The drum came yesterday. It’s GORGEOUS! And it sounds AWESOME! Thanks so much. Now it has to sit in a box until my daughter’s birthday. Thanks again – you rock!” (13”-14” Kalimantan Djembe-Blemished Discount)
-Carolyn A.

“Wow! i really think for the money i got an awesome little drum. it is the 16x8 size and aledgedly it has some sort of blemish, but I have looked and for the life of me I cannot find it. i just wanted to say thanks so much for an excellent product. my coworkers and i will be smiling from now on and have rhythm.” (16“x8” Blemished Discount Djembe)
-Fritz M.

“My djembe just arrived yesterday. I must admit, the fit, finish, and heft of it was much better than I imagined it would be. I can’t wait to order another drum. Thanks for everything.” (13”-14” Honey Harvest Pro)
-David G.

“Both those puppies are sick!!! The slaps on the Ruby are ridiculous-I will recommend anyone who wants a serious drum for great prices, and fantastic service to Mother Rhythm! Adios.” (13”-14” Ruby Pro and 13”-14” Universal Spirit Pro)
-JJ B.

“Just had to email and tell you how delighted I am with the fiberglass djembe I received yesterday- all I can say is WOW!! I ordered the blemished model because I planned on using it with my drumset on various gigs and knew that it would probably get a little scratched over time anyway. I looked and looked and for the life of me, I couldn’t find anything I would consider a blemish. Admittedly, I am new to djembes so there may not be things I recognize as issues with the skin (it looks, feels, and sounds great to me)- but I didn’t see any obvious marks or issues on the shell itself. The drum sounds great and I assume it will sound even better as I learn the best technique for getting tones, slaps, and bass sounds. Thanks so much for lightening quick shipping, wonderful service, and a product that far exceeds my expectations!! You have a new customer for life!” (14”-15” Fiberglass Djembe-Blemished Discount)
-Bill V.

“Got my drum. Love it , It’s already led me down a new path of rhythms of my soul. Thanks for your great service, l’ll be back.” (10”-11” Ebony Flame Pro)
-Julio D.

Pictures from Wakarusa by Mother Rhythm Drums

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0000

For those of you that came out to see us at Wakarusa in the Revival Village we wanted to say thanks! We had a wonderful time at Wakarusa this year, and really enjoyed the chance to drum with a whole new crowd of people. We have big plans for next year so stay tuned….

Pictures from Bella Madre Festival

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Hello All! Sorry these are late, but here are some pictures of our trip out to Bella Madre Festival! We had a blast as always, and enjoyed the opportunity to service your old drums and help a few of you pick out new ones! Stay tuned for a few pics from Wakarusa….

Bougarabou Drums

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Have you tried out our Bougarabou drums ? It seems that often people overlook our Bougarabous and go straight for the djembes most of the time. Let me tell you that they are a favorite among our staff, to say the least. Our Bougaraboos have a sound that meshes the conga’s rim tone with a slightly deeper bass sound on central strokes. No longer do you have to yearn for a conga when drumming on the road or away from home. Our bougarabous fit nicely into our drum bags making them a much more portable option to congas without having to sacrifice that conga sound!

Mother Rhythm Drums at Bella Madre Festival This Weekend!

Wed, 20 May 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Just a quick reminder to all of you that we will be at Bella Madre Festival in Geneva, MN this weekend 5/22- 5/24. The whole family is together for this festival so come on out and meet both ends of the company, as well as find great deals on drums that blow away our online prices!!!

Mother Rhythm Drums has the best deals on professional djembes anywhere online!

Tue, 05 May 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Here at Mother Rhythm, we believe that business works best when profits are balanced with fair prices. That’s why if you compare our prices across the internet you’ll see that we’re consistently the lowest price, with the best package deals on djembe drums found anywhere! Check out our professional djembe packages for more information on these great deals.

Be Well In Rhythm—

Mother Rhythm Drums

Mother Rhythm Summer 2009 Festival Schedule

Mon, 04 May 2009 07:00:00 +0000

We’re very excited to announce our 2009 summer music festival schedule. If you’ve never had the opportunity to catch up with us on the road then please, by all means get out to one of these events and catch some great live music! This year has us moving out into new territory with the addition of Wakarusa Music Festival, and has us visiting one of our favorite spots, Harmony Park, twice. And of course we’ll be back at 10,000 Lakes Festival for the 5th year in a row. All in all it’s shaping up to be an amazing summer, and we hope to see you all out there, and to bang a few drums with you as well!

SCHEDULE

BELLA MADRE MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 22-24, 2009 Geneva, MN
Harmony Park
www.bellamusicfest.com

WAKARUSA MUSIC FEST
June 4-7, 2009 Ozark, AR
Mulberry Mountain
www.wakarusa.com

10,000 LAKES MUSIC FEST
July 22-25, 2009 Detroit Lakes, MN
Soo Pass Ranch
www.10klf.com

HARVEST FEST
September 11-12, 2009 Geneva, MN
Harmony Park
www.wookiefoot.com/harvestfest

We’ll keep you updated with any additions to this list as the season progresses. Happy Summer!!!

Huge Djembe Shipment Just Arrived!

Sun, 03 May 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Hello Folks!

Our much-needed refill shipment of inventory has arrived at long last! Our most popular designs are all now back in stock, including 13”-14” professional djembes, many of our 13”-14” deep-carved jammer’s styles, and the ever elusive xl djembe bags. Thanks to all of you for being patient with us while we’ve been waiting for this delayed shipment. Please contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thanks so much for choosing us for your drumming needs :)

Be Well In Rhythm—

Mother Rhythm Drums

Beginner's Djembes

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:00:00 +0000

New to Drumming? That’s ok, we all have to start somewhere. Check out our Beginner’s Djembes for fantastic package deals that include both a great drum for you to learn on and an instructional video to give you a huge head start on your rhythmic journey. Drop us a line if you have any questions at all and we’ll gladly guide you to the drum that best fits your needs and budget. We look forward to hearing from you. Be Well In Rhythm….
Mother Rhythm Drums

Check Out Our Ashiko Drums

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Are you a bass guy? You know, the type of person that always tunes in to that spot in the music where the rhythm and melody meet? We recommend you do yourself a favor and pick up an Ashiko . With warmer bass than a djembe and broader edge tones that sound more like a conga than a djembe, they’re guaranteed to scratch that itch your djembe doesn’t quite reach.

Professional Djembes versus Intermediate Djembes

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Hey all, we wanted to take a moment to discuss what the differences are between our Professional Djembes and our Intermediate Djembes, in hopes of making your decisions more clear-cut and simple. Please read on below:

All of the drums we list as Intermediate or Professional drums are made from sustainably-harvested premium mahogany heartwood. Any drums made from sapwood (we rarely ever get these) are identified and set aside. The shells are lathe-turned for uniform wall thickness, where the shape and proportions of the drum are carefully constructed. At this point the Intermediate and Professional Shells begin to differ. We think the best way to explain this would be to list the added characteristics of the professional djembes:

Professional djembe characteristics:

After the lathe, the interior wall of the shell is carved with a lateral groove surface carvings that can be seen as a spiral pattern inside the drum funneling out of the stem. This pattern helps to reduce overtones while increasing airflow within the drum to produce superior bass and sharper slap tones.

The skins selected for professional drums are premium untreated, wet-shaved skins from the goats back.

Professional djembes are skinned using a three-ring head system, where the skin is wrapped around an additional metal ring before the mounting ring sets it in place atop the drum, in order to create a fail-safe against the skin ever slipping out or moving around. This allows for the tightest possible tuning of the drum.

Intermediate djembes are skinned with treated skins using a two ring system. This does not make them bad drums (they have great sound), it just means that the premium skins are used for pro drums, as well as the extra step is taken with the lateral groove carvings and the three ring head system. This simply makes the pro drums a more ideal choice for the professional musician or for the more seasoned player looking for that top level of sound, as well as players of all levels who are on less restricted of a budget. Advanced players on a budget will still be satisfied with the intermediate djembe’s sound as well, and they will meet or exceed the needs of the casual player or beginner to intermediate student.

We sincerely hope this clears up any questions you may have had, and as always, feel free to contact us with any questions you may still have. Be Well In Rhythm…

Wholesale Djembes

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Interested in our products for your shop, youth group, or drum classes? We’ve got you covered. We have wholesale clients around the country including retail shops, drumming instructors, festival vendors, and too many other walks of life to mention. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Mother Rhythm Family please contact us with your name, contact information, tax i.d. number (if applicable) and a brief description of what your plans are, and we’ll get in touch with you and discuss the options. Be Well In Rhythm— Mother Rhythm Drums

(Please note that wholesale accounts are subject to approval by Mother Rhythm Drums according to our criterion)

Caring for your Djembe

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Hey everyone, occasionally we get questions about how to properly care for a djembe or other rope tuned hand drum that has a real skin head. Here are a few tips on caring for your djembe drum.

We recommend that your store your drum in a cool spot out of direct sunlight whenever you’re not using it. Direct sunlight can heat the molecules in the wood and cause them to shrink or expand, creating cracks. Also the sun will dry out your head and make the skin feel hard and take the stretch out of it, making the drum difficult to tune.

While we’re on the subject of the head, we’d like to mention that we DO NOT recommend ever putting anything on the skin of your drum, such as lotion, shea butter, or other oils. Simply playing your drum should work the natural oils from your hands into the skin and protect it naturally from drying out.

Keeping your drum in a bag when not in use is the number one thing you can do to both protect your drum and to prolong the life of the current skin that is on it. The case protects the drum from scratching, impact damage, and also creates a barrier of air for the drum that protects it from climactic fluctuations, thus helping the drum keep its tune better.

Inspecting your drum periodically for minor cracks is another great way to prevent potentially serious problems. Often times if you discover a small crack early you can repair it before it gets out of hand, thus saving your shell, which is, in reality, the drum, as all other parts can be replaced.

Never allow the skin of your drum to get wet (no matter how strong the urge to play in the rain becomes :)

This one is obvious, but try to avoid dropping your drum or otherwise exposing it to impacts that can crack or even destroy it.

Last but not least, use your best judgment in situations not covered here. If you are unsure it is always best to get a professional opinion before trying something on your drum that could potentially harm or irrevocably alter it. Feel free to contact us if you ever have any questions.

BE WELL IN RHYTHM—

MOTHER RHYTHM DRUMS

Djembe size descriptions

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Need a visual representation for our size descriptions on Professional Djembes and Jammer’s Djembes? Check out the picture to the left. Also, scroll down this entry for a brief description of each sizes advantages and drawbacks.

19”-20” Tall, 9”-10” Playing Surface, 10”-11” Overall Diameter These drums are great for beginners, and for those looking for a drum with great sound that is somewhat portable. Specifically our pro models in this size have a sound unmatched by any other drum in that size anywhere in the industry, and are sure to give you the sharp high-end sound to be heard distinctly in any drumming environment. Drums in this size are best characterized as having clear, sharp slap tones and moderate bass.

23”-24” Tall, 11”-12” Playing Surface, 13”-14” Overall Diameter These drums are the perfect blend of sound. Amazing slap tones characterized by well-sustained bass, perhaps the most well-balanced size we carry. Drums this size are characterized by their solid, clear, all-around sound.

25”-26” tall, 13”-14” Playing Surface, 14”-15” Overall Diameter BIG bass, enough said. Solid slap but these drum serve best to provide the root of the beat with deep bass and rich tones. Great drum for the player who lives for bass but still desires choppy slaps.

Blemished Discount Djembes

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0000

You may have noticed the term “blemished discount” being thrown around on our site. We wanted to take a moment to clarify what this means to those newer customers. We maintain a strict quality control standard here at Mother Rhythm Drums that is virtually unmatched anywhere in the industry. We inspect every single drum to be sure it measures up to our size measurements, and cosmetic standards. Though some degree of variation is to be expected in all hand-made products, we really pride ourselves on being meticulous in our selection. Blemishes may entail scuffs, scratches, very minor repaired hairline cracks or knots in the interior, thin spots or discoloration in the skin, smaller head diameters etc.

The question then becomes what do we do with the drums that don’t match up? After all, they generally remain unaffected in terms of sound quality. We came up with a clever response, one that is good for the customer on a budget: Sell them at a discount. Lately you may have noticed that we have quite a few of these bouncing around on our new website, discountdjembes.com Over the years we created a strong backlog of these drums, and as we have some major shipments coming in soon, we’ve finally decided that it’s time to let them go.

Not bad timing, when you consider that across the djembe industry prices are on the increase currently—that’s just another of the many ways that we work with our customers here at Mother Rhythm to create mutually beneficial transactions, so that you walk away feeling that we truly care for you, the customer. Be Well In Rhythm— MRD

Two-Ring Versus Three-Ring Djembe Tuning Systems

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Getting into a new hobby, especially one with as much rich history and traditional building techniques as the djembe drum, often presents large gaps in understanding for the novice or intermediate practitioner to search out and fill. Occasionally we get questions from customers seeking information about the differences between two-ring head mounting systems and three-ring systems. The aim of this blog entry is to hopefully provide some information on the subject and make it available to you, the consumer.

Essentially both systems are acceptable for the most part. On a two-ring system, a metal ring is wrapped in cloth and then the skin is wrapped around it and pulled taught toward the center of the skin, creating the initial playing surface. The ring and skin are then placed on the drum, where an additional ring which is again wrapped in fabric but also has loops tied onto it, which will be used to string the lateral ropes to and thus attach the head to the shell. Here is the potential problem: Occasionally, specifically in humid and hot conditions with extremely tightly tuned drums, the skin can slip out from beneath the second ring, destroying the tension of the head which gives such great tones.

The advantage to a professional three-ring djembe is that after the skin is wrapped around the first ring from the bottom, it is then folded down over an additional ring from the top, and THEN the two are held into place by the top ring with the loops. Thus the additional ring creates a fail-safe that ensures there is no way for the skin to slip, no matter how tightly it is tuned (though it will eventually rupture if tuned too tight). The three ring system allows for much tighter tuning (which sharpens the rim tones dramatically) without fear of skin slippage or leaning head mounts.

Still looking at a jammer over a pro? Never fear, skin slippage is a rare occurrence at best. The three-ring system simply exists for the player who knows up front that they will be tuning their drum to the limits of tightness. As always, if you have any questions or need anything at all, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Be Well In Rhythm….
Mother Rhythm Drums

Major Djembe Clearance!!!

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Hello all!!! Here at Mother Rhythm Drums we’ve become pack rats over the years. As we gear up this year for some major additions to our inventory we’re repenting our pack rat ways. At a time when our competitors are raising their prices (due to rising costs) we’ve decided to liquidate our stockpile instead. This means that now more than ever we are offering the best deals on djembe drums and accessories found anywhere in the world!!! We have a number of drums that have very slight cosmetic blemishes that, while not effecting sound, none the less did not match up to our strict quality control standard. These drums can now be bought at extremely reduced prices. Simply put, our prices (and prices in general) will never be this low ever again. Check out our blemish page for amazing deals, as well as our specials for additional deals. Be Well In Rhythm…

New Year, New Beat In 2009

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Inevitably with the new year comes new aspirations for change in each of our lives. Here at Mother Rhythm Drums we believe that life works on an inherent sense of rhythm, and thus rhythm can be used as a tool to become more in tune with the world around you. Anyone with a beating heart has rhythm inside them. Anyone who has ever tapped their foot along to an enjoyable song can attest to the dynamic effect that a beat can have on the psyche.

In these tough economic times more than ever people need a beat to nod their heads to in their everyday lives. We’re here to help. Though costs are going up, we are waiting to raise our prices to meet them for the first few months of this year, in hopes that our products will be more affordable and accessible to you as drummers and aspiring players, to get you through the hard times with plenty of rhythm to get by. There has never been a better or more relevant time than now to explore the possibilities of drumming and rhythm. The entire universe works on rhythmic vibrations for sound, light, communication and life. Why not get a drum and play along to its beat? We wish the very best to each and every one of you out there in all that you do, and we hope that our products truly bring enrichment into your lives and the lives of those around you as you play them. As always, Be Well In Rhythm…

Check out our hand-carved wood screens

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Some people are not aware that in addition to djembes and other percussion accessories, we also sell beautiful hand-carved woodscreen room dividers. They are hand-carved in Northern India and made out of Shesham, a strong and durable hard wood. These dividers have an amazing presence in any room and are sure to provide that final accent you’ve been looking for in your living, dining, or any other room in your home. As with all our products, they also come with free shipping :) Check them out here.

Happy New Year from Mother Rhythm Drums

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year out there from Mother Rhythm Drums!!! We sincerely hope the next year brings all the blessings and happiness possible in one lifetime for each and every person out there in the world.

With the coming of the new year comes new changes for us as a company—we’ve got big things on the horizon. Check back with us in the next few months and you may be surprised to see LOTS of cool new stuff. We won’t elaborate beyond that in order to avoid spoiling the surprises, but trust us it will be WELL worth the wait. We’re growing as a company thanks to all our loyal customers out there who support us, and thus we feel more than obligated to give a big thanks out to each of you for your kindness, support, and for placing your trust in us for your drumming needs. We believe that rhythm is the essence of life, thus Be Well In Rhythm is more than our slogan, it’s our mantra. We wish you all the best from our family here at Mother Rhythm Drums to your family wherever you may be. We truly, truly hope that our products enrich your lives each day. Be Well In Rhythm friends, and have a happy new year…

Gregg, Jazz and Michael, Mother Rhythm Drums

How to Buy a Quality Djembe

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:00:00 +0000

Purchasing the right djembe for your individual needs can be a tough decision. That’s why we’ve created our buyer’s guide to help you find your way. Adhere to the following standards as much as possible to make the highest quality purchase (Please keep in mind that these standards apply to wooden djembes, not synthetic):

A symmetrical goblet shape is vital to sound quality. This shape can vary in style from rounded and belled to more squat and “squareish,” and these different shell shapes each produce slightly different sounds.
The interior of the drum should never be rough or splintered. A traditional grooved spiral pattern and smooth interior surface produce the highest quality sound (see image below).
A rounded and waxed bearing edge provides playing comfort and sharper rim tones, and extends the life of the skin. This is very important for your hands and for the life of the skin.
A quality djembe should have at least 4mm-5mm rope (5mm on any drum with a playing surface above 11 inches) that is internally braided (double braided) and made of either nylon or polyester to avoid stretching and thus loss of tuning. It should not twist or spiral, and should have extremely low stretch ratings so that the drum maintains tune.
The wood density should be medium to heavy in weight for less sound absorption and stronger tones, however the wood should not be too thick, and the thickness should be uniform throughout the shell.
The rings should be evenly stacked and fit snugly over the top of the shell (three ring system adds even more tonal complexity by allowing tighter tuning, and eliminates skin slippage).
The drum should be free of serious cracks or major exterior repaired cracks. As the shell is essentially the djembe (the other parts can be replaced) this is extremely important. All one-piece shells have a risk of cracking—however those that are dried properly are at a much lower risk. Generally filled-in or repaired knots on the interior surface of the drum are acceptable and will not effect the sound or life of the shell.
The goatskin or cowskin (all of the drums we carry are headed with goatskin) should be medium in thickness and free of bug bites or other holes and thin spots. The head mount should sit close to level across the bearing edge of the drum. The skin should exhibit a medium thickness, though skin thickness may also be seen as an individual player’s preference.

Keep in mind that drums that meet at least the minimum of each standard above will sound good, but that drums meeting the highest qualities of each standard will display excellence in sound and overall quality. Due to the hand-made nature of djembe drums no drum will ever be perfect, so be realistic with your standards. Very slight imperfections are simply a characteristic of hand-made products that makes each specimen unique. As with any musical instrument, the number one factor in drum selection is that the drum’s sound meets your personal standard, as well as your budget.

All the drums that we carry at Mother Rhythm Drums meet the minimum (at least) of these standards, and we put them through a rigorous inspection process to ensure this. Any drums that do not meet these standards are culled from our inventory and sold as “#2 blemished drums at our outlet site, www.discountdjembes.com .

A common mistake that many first-time drum buyers make is assuming that the country of origin for a drum is a paramount characteristic of its quality. In fact, there are amazing and poor quality drums of all types and styles that are produced all over the world, thus we suggest sticking to the above standards to ensure to highest quality in your purchase. Also beware that some companies sell drums carved from wood harvested in environmentally sensitive areas (even some high-end djembes are made from illegal wood).

This illegal wood is extremely harmful to the ecosystem it is harvested from, and can pose a high threat to all creatures in the sensitive zones it is harvest from. Many people feel that this potential for detrimental ecological consequences out-weighs any potential benefit ownership of the drum might provide. All the drums sold by Mother Rhythm Drums are from government-certified Lacey Act compliant sustainably harvested wood, and we have the certificates to prove this. We recommend that you never buy from a company that doesn’t. If a drum for sale on the market sounds too cheap, it probably is.
From the entire staff here at Mother Rhythm Drums, we hope this has been an informative and beneficial article for you, and as always, feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns. Be well in rhythm…

Eco-Friendly Djembes: What Is Illegally Harvested Wood?

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:00:00 +0000

The illegal harvesting and logging of wood for commerce is a problem in ecosystems around the globe. As most djembes and other hand drums are carved from wood, inevitably illegally harvested wood has made its way into the industry. Wikipedia defines illegal harvesting as follows:

“The harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of national laws. The harvesting procedure itself may be illegal, including using corrupt means to gain access to forests; extraction without permission or from a protected area; the cutting of protected species; or the extraction of timber in excess of agreed limits.”

In other words, illegal wood is wood harvested outside of government regulation, or in excess of regulations and permits, or from areas that are considered environmentally sensitive. At times it may simply mean wood from a tree that is endangered and close to going extinct. Many of the African hardwoods that djembes from that region are made from, for example, are endangered, though in these countries they simply do not even regulate wood harvests with permits at all.

So how do you, the hand drum player or buyer, avoid ending up with a drum from one of these sources? With so many suppliers and brands from regions around the world, it can be difficult for the djembe buyer to ensure that their hand drum comes from a reputable source. However, there are a few ways to tell.

First and foremost, you should feel more than comfortable asking the supplier or manufacturer to provide documentation that their wood comes from legal sources. The Lacey Act here in America requires an EXTREMELY strict chain of command to be followed with legally harvested wood. In April 2010 the Lacey Act laws will finally go into their full effect, and you will notice that many companies on the market will lose a significant amount of their variety and supply due to this.

Generally Legal Wood Verification comes in the form of a certificate from the country of origin stating that the wood used came from sanctioned areas such as plantations or forests. Simply put, if the retailer for any reason claims to be unable to provide this documentation, don’t buy from them, at least until they do. If they are not a direct importer, contact the company who imports the drum in question. If you cannot find that company, consider buying from a trusted source instead.

We can tell you first hand that 99% of the drums on ebay are made from Illegal wood. Of the drum sellers on ebay, EthosDrummer, our partner, is the only drum seller who is filing Lacey Act compliant paperwork upon importation of their product. These other Knock off products are not only inferior (in spite of copying our original carvings and the carvings of other companies) but also are made from illegal wood that is illegal to harvest and thus the product is illegal to sell in the United States. Many of these shady vendors have 100% positive feedback ratings in spite of this detail-however, this only reflects the quickness of shipping and subtly adequate nature of the drums—they simply do not compare in quality to our products, and thus they are sold extremely cheap, because their quality is also cheap. They are beneath the expectations of any serious drummer or anyone serious about buying from a trusted source.

Some companies even manage to obtain certificates through corrupt government officials and other black market venues. How, then, can you ensure your drum comes from a reputable source? There are a number of slight indicators, though no sure-fire way to tell. We suggest that you do a little research on the company in question. Check out their products in all the venues they sell in. Do they themselves sound like they are foreigners who have traveled to the US to sell their product? Do they have a good reputation among other experienced drummers? A combination of several aspects of a company that seem off generally makes them a high risk company for illegal wood importation. Most of these companies will be filtered out of the market through Lacey Act verification as 2010 plays out, but be sure in the meantime that you are covered, as some may still have purchased certificates from illegal sources.

Most of all, look to see if the company in question’s product simply appears to be far too cheap for what you are promised. Illegal wood is generally bought at a severely cheaper price (and harvested without the permission of the landowner or government), which then lowers significantly the production costs for each drum, meaning less overhead and thus overly-low pricing. If it seems too good to be true, or if they sell in one online venue (ESPECIALLY eBay) but do not have a strong company website presence, don’t buy from them. It is easier for these sellers to stay below the radar on websites like ebay, as they would more likely be uncovered if they tried to function as a full, reputable retail company with a website and history and extensive customer feedback. You truly get what you pay for in most instances, and though you may find their drum adequate, we can guarantee that it will not match up to the much higher standards our drums are built to.

Buy from a company you can research, know and trust. At Mother Rhythm Drums we guarantee that you will never buy a drum from us that comes from illegal sources. We have the certificate as well as the reputation within the industry to prove that. We check up on our suppliers every few months, and require a brand new harvest certificate with every single container of inventory we import.

You can always feel comfortable with your purchase, because not only is it eco-friendly, it also comes with a lifetime of support should you ever need it. We pride ourselves on working closely with our customer base to ensure that your buying and owning experience is everything you want it to be. It isn’t just that we work with the most ethically-minded suppliers to ensure quality—it’s also that we work as hard as we can each day to be the most ethically-minded company we can be.

Wherever you choose to buy your drum, we sincerely hope that it exceeds your expectations, and that you find all the wonderful things that are available through rhythm and hand drumming. Should you choose to consider us for your drumming needs, we promise to do everything in our power to make you feel like a part of our family. Be well in rhythm…

(Check out more information on the Lacey Act and it’s requirements here

Keep Austin Bizarre Christmas Bazaar

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

Hello out there friends! We just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that we will have a Mother Rhythm booth at the Keep Austin Bizarre Christmas Bazaar. The bazaar takes place December 12-23 at the Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs Rd Austin , TX) from 11am til 11pm each day. Check out their website at www.keepaustinbizarre.com for more information on the event and the other vendors who will be present. This will be a great opportunity to come by and see many of our products first-hand, and to get amazing deals on brand new as well as blemished products. The bazaar has some great musical acts lined up as well—all in all it is a great example of the variety in culture that makes Austin, Texas such a special place to live and visit. Hope to see you there!!!

Welcome to the new motherrhythm.com!

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

You might have noticed our site has undergone a complete redesign. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Lucid Crew in Austin, Texas to create a site that not only provides you with the highest quality products, but also gives you a sense of support and community through our blog, drum circle page, and instructional videos. We’ve even set things up so that you can keep up with us as we travel to music festivals and events across the country, spreading the love for rhythm and the community it creates. This is the first of many postings to come, with the eventual hope of fostering the same love for rhythm in our customers and friends that brought us into the business to begin with. Take a look around the site, and please, stay a while—and as always, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions at all.

Be well in rhythm :>)
Gregg, Michael, and Jazz