The type of djembe you purchase will be decided by the way you want to tune it. Rope and key are the main ways to tune djembes. These are some descriptions of the types of drum construction and tuning systems:
Rope Tuned
Rope tuned djembes are more original since the original were only tuned with rope. You move the position of ropes to change the pitch on a rope tuned djembe. These ropes hang horizontally from metal rings that hold the skin on. There can be either two, possibly three rings circling the head of a normal djembe drum, and they are commonly thinner than the rings on key tuned drums.
Tuning is performed on the djembe by pulling ropes, which in turn tighten the rings surrounding the drum. To raise the pitch of the drum you increase the tension on the drum skin. The term "pulling a diamond" refers to adjusting knots in order to tune the drum. A type of knot used to tune djembe drums is the Mali Weave.
Key-tuned djembes
Key tuned drums use a different and more modern tuning system. In this system, which closely resembles the tuning systems used for conventional drums like snares and tom toms, bolts around the djembe head are tightened with a wrench. Tightening these bolts also tightens the larger metal rim around the head of the drum, and as a result, this raises the pitch of the drum.
Djembe tuning mechanisms are bulky. Be aware that if you buy this type of djembe you will see a fair amount of shiny metal and that there will be some added weight in comparison with a rope tuned djembe.
What type of tuning system is right for you?
Key tuning offers an edge in terms of ease of use and also less difficulty in terms of understanding. However, which system is better is up to personal preference, as many djembe players believe that the advantages of a key tuned system stop at ease of use. One obstacle that has been noted, is the bulky tuning rim on a key tuned system, which has been said to get in the way and actually hinder or prevent the instrument from playing properly. The easy tuning will out weigh the extra hardware required for the operation.
For the most authentic djembe drums are rope tuned. If you want a djembe true to original form, choose a rope tuned djembe. Rope tuned djembes require a bit more up front learning in order to tune properly, but they are convenient and easy to tune once you know how. Many people agree that the unobtrusive placing of the rim rings as well as them being thinner make for an easier drumming experience. For many reasons djembes that are rope tuned could be the better choice. Again, all this is really up to the drummer.
Rope Tuned
Rope tuned djembes are more original since the original were only tuned with rope. You move the position of ropes to change the pitch on a rope tuned djembe. These ropes hang horizontally from metal rings that hold the skin on. There can be either two, possibly three rings circling the head of a normal djembe drum, and they are commonly thinner than the rings on key tuned drums.
Tuning is performed on the djembe by pulling ropes, which in turn tighten the rings surrounding the drum. To raise the pitch of the drum you increase the tension on the drum skin. The term "pulling a diamond" refers to adjusting knots in order to tune the drum. A type of knot used to tune djembe drums is the Mali Weave.
Key-tuned djembes
Key tuned drums use a different and more modern tuning system. In this system, which closely resembles the tuning systems used for conventional drums like snares and tom toms, bolts around the djembe head are tightened with a wrench. Tightening these bolts also tightens the larger metal rim around the head of the drum, and as a result, this raises the pitch of the drum.
Djembe tuning mechanisms are bulky. Be aware that if you buy this type of djembe you will see a fair amount of shiny metal and that there will be some added weight in comparison with a rope tuned djembe.
What type of tuning system is right for you?
Key tuning offers an edge in terms of ease of use and also less difficulty in terms of understanding. However, which system is better is up to personal preference, as many djembe players believe that the advantages of a key tuned system stop at ease of use. One obstacle that has been noted, is the bulky tuning rim on a key tuned system, which has been said to get in the way and actually hinder or prevent the instrument from playing properly. The easy tuning will out weigh the extra hardware required for the operation.
For the most authentic djembe drums are rope tuned. If you want a djembe true to original form, choose a rope tuned djembe. Rope tuned djembes require a bit more up front learning in order to tune properly, but they are convenient and easy to tune once you know how. Many people agree that the unobtrusive placing of the rim rings as well as them being thinner make for an easier drumming experience. For many reasons djembes that are rope tuned could be the better choice. Again, all this is really up to the drummer.
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