African Drums

Every African community has its own music. Traditional music made by many Africans has always been an important part of everyday life on the continent. In the modern era, African; popular music blends traditional style and elements taken from American music. African drum is used for social and ceremonial purposes. Religious songs in various rituals. Working songs accompany community activities such as hoeing and harvesting. Traditional music is rooted in mythology, legend, and folklore. This music is sometimes also full of gods, ancestors, or certain heroes. African people also make music to cultivate it-happy or to relax. Some types of music can be made specifically for dancing. One example is boeremusiek ("Boer music") from South Africa. This type of folk music was invented by the Voortrekker people, who were descended from Dutch settlers there. Their music uses concertina, which is similar to an accordion. Dance various types of music that have become a form of entertainment in big cities and small towns in Africa.

There are special features although African music is different and has the same quality as repetition or repetition patterns that are commonly used as a basis in music. An example is the music mbira which is the music of Shona orangutan from Zimbabwe. With various repetition patterns generated from various interacting instruments in this music mbira. While the musicians to build an improvisation that is the main repetition pattern. Continuous combination of different instruments or called polyphonic which is the character as well as the nature of African music. Musical instruments and sides of African musical instruments are very close to the daily life of the people and can be seen through materials used to make musical instruments such as percussion in parts such as labs, wood, and clay. As for the drum membrane made of goat skin, cow skin, reptile skin, and other animal skin. In hunting animals African society has a strong tradition in hunting animals that are not only for food consumption but also for art, so as to create traditional African musical instruments.

Here are some African instruments: Drums (drums, bells, and drums). Hand Drum friction sound produced by swipe membrane, a bell drum is played by one player and the drum talk is shaped like an hourglass. Why is it called drum friction? because it is used to mimic the human voice in speech. Certain communication qualities are also owned by African music such as musical instruments, different sounds and body parts of musicians can be mobilized and played and become a means of exchanging live information such as the hands and feet of African musicians. popular appeared in Africa in the 1960s. African musicians began using instruments such as electric guitars, saxophones, and drum kits. The most popular musical styles are the highlife and juju of West Africa, the dance music of the Congo, and the tarabu of East Africa. South African music styles include chimurenga and jit.

This music is a source of inspiration for the development of 20th-century music, composers who adopted/inspired in the composition of the French composers, rock stars UK Band The Beatles (George Harrison), American Jazz Artist John Coltrane.

Characteristics and Instruments of African Music

• African art is always in the form of hand percussion music, the dance is also a polyphonic singing (singing) or by singing without words with  shouting and always in group form.
• The uniqueness is the presentation of the music, in each dance and percussion instruments displayed in one unit
• African Music and Some African Musical Instruments ~ Music Players - Music played by Africans is commonly referred to as African music living in the southern Sahara desert region of 50 tribes. Complete with various cultures and languages and is a mixture of each tribe of people who have their own history.

As the largest hand percussion supplier in the world,  Bali Treasures Drum factory has been producing different Percussion Instruments like African Instrument such as Djembe, Cajon Drums, Talking Drum and another. All are done by professional workers and of course, have high quality. Located on Jl. Raya Andong, Peliatan, Ubud, Bali, we also have a branch in Monkey Fores St., Ubud, Bali or you can contact us at + 62361-978637.

Main References: 

1. Types of hand drums from Africa
2. The best hand percussion instruments in the world
3. Types of African drums
4. Tips to play cajon Drums

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What Is Djembe Drum?

Music is the most important element in life. Without music, we will feel lonely and boring. It can be an entertainer and encouragement when we feel sad. In the 2nd century, BC music has begun to enter the world. Sound composed of rhythm, song, and harmony. All can be expressed in the music through several elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, structure again and expression. Its influence is powerful and influences human habits around the world. There is a degradation of the function and role of music in human life, only becoming an economic commodity very different from the original music function. Technological sophistication and human social change make it change, once the music used as a medium for science and spirituality.

Music and spiritual matter are closely related to one another. It used to be a companion of religious ceremonies. Spiritual is a word that has associations relating to religion and mysticism. In the 1960s many world-renowned, highly-loving musicians such as the band "The Beatles" embraced Zen (Buddhism) and Hinduism, the band "Tawaqore" that incorporated Islamic spiritual teachings with hardcore punk music. But in the middle ages turned into entertainment and became a trending world. Music and spirituality have broad dimensions, but now music has only "secular spiritual " that is merely an outlet for sadness, downturn, pleasure, and money.

There is one traditional African drum instrument that has a very strong spiritual history. Once in the 12th century created famous hand percussion. One of the instruments is "Djembe drum". Derived from the letter "dj" which symbolizes the pain and colonization by France to Africa. It shapes like glass and covered by leather tied with a rope. The distance between villages in Africa is very far, and this instrument used as a medium of communication. In every traditional African sacred ceremony always use Djembe as a compliment. There are three spirit powers in it that is the spirit of wood that depicts strength, assertiveness, and protectiveness, the spirit of animal skin is a symbol of prosperity, the power of the Djembe drum maker is a spirit that can make the sound of musical instruments come alive.

Everyone can use this instrument and the way is very simple. Only use the palms of hands that can be combined with several motion techniques that are able to create beautiful sounds. The resulting sound is very distinctive and different from other musical instruments. The person who works as a Djembe player is often called Djembe Fola. There are some countries that have special schools to learn  Djembe like America, Belgium, Germany, and France. This instrument is closely related to Reggae music because every show is always accompanied by Djembe.

There are some simple Djembe's techniques :

a. Focus And Consistent Exercises

You should focus on training and be consistent in taking a few hours a day to learn to play this instrument.

b. Hit Djembe drum

Pay attention to voice and movement for example:

1. The sound "tung" or slap from a blow at the edge that is 5 cm from the

     boundary edge.

2. Dung sounds from the center in the middle by using one hand

     and the position of fingers closed.

3. The unassigned sound from one-handed blows in the center with a vertical position,

      then followed by the other hand doing the "slap" sound.

c. Have a Djembe

    You better have this instrument, so you do not need to borrow from

      your friends.

d. Have Many Videos / Music

    You have to collect various videos or music Djembe to help you

    can quickly play this instrument.

Playing this instrument is fun, you can invite your friends or form a band. If you want to have a good quality Djembe and have many motives, you can get it in Bali Treasures which is the largest online djembe wholesale manufacturer in the world which has produced many kinds of hand percussion instrument one of them "Djembe". Made with legal and high-quality material, handmade, and of course done by a professional workforce. Engraving on each instrument has a high artistic value. Located at Jalan Raya Andong, Peliatan, Ubud, Bali and you can also call us +6361 9789637.


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