Learn to build & maintain your own African djembe drum with HMT's djembe repairman Brian Weber! You can come away from this workshop with a finished drum that you made & tuned yourself (cost $200). Or, if you already own a djembe that needs reheading, you can bring that and learn how to repair it yourself ($100, includes skin). If you just want to learn the skills involved in this craft without getting a drum out of it, that's an option too ($75). This is a great gift idea for the person in your life who's passionate about drumming. Or you can give the gift of a drum that you made yourself!
Students will be provided:
-A hand carved, prepped wood drum shell from West Africa (woods and country of
origin may vary by drum). Choice of drum shell will be assigned by date registered.
-All materials needed to assemble and put the drum into playing condition including
rings, cloth, rope, goatskin, etc.
-All tools needed to properly assemble the drum
-Direct instruction and supervision in a small class setting
Students will learn:
-History of the African Djembe
-Process of selecting, inspecting, and preparing a drum shell (drum shells will be
already prepped)
-Selecting and soaking a skin
-Wrapping and cradling the rings
-Measuring and cutting rope for verticals
-Rinsing, wringing and stretching of head
-To rehead and string verticals
-To keep head even and hand tighten while skin is wet
-Wrapping or trimming skin edge to clean up
In a follow up session 1 week later, students will learn:
-To fully tighten verticals
-To run a Mali or "diamond" weave to tune the drum
-Basic care and maintenance
-A few basic playing techniques and African rhythms and then we'll play our drums
Required to bring:
-Cloth or leather gloves (gardening type work well)
-Ace brand or similar athletic bandage
-An open mind and ambitious hands!
Optional:
-Custom cloth to wrap the rings
-Ultility blade or razor knife
-Small needle nose, locking pliers
Workshop Philosophy
We all have a heartbeat, and therefore, we all have internal rhythm. Everything in the universe vibrates and is constantly in motion. It is a wonderful joy to spread the language of music through drumming and rhythm. With an activity such as drumming, I believe it is important to be familiar with as many aspects of the craft as possible, not just playing the instrument. In this workshop, I hope to broaden the student's knowledge and love of drumming by learning the history, technique and process of assembling a West African Djembe from the bare shell to a brand new, customized, hand-built drum. Each student will build, tighten, tune, play and learn to properly care for their own drum in a fun workshop setting!
For questions about workshop content, contact Brian Weber directly at 301-518-6982 or brianwebergigs@yahoo.com. To register, contact HMT at 301-270-9090 or lessons@hmtrad.com.
