I'm new to the djembe world....

[ravdeb]

Hi... I'm new to this but have been doing a lot of research. I live in Israel and finally found somebody who I can buy a djembe from...a drumskulls drum. I'm going to be meeting with him in a couple of weeks and he said he would fit the drum to me.
I read the tips on this site about buying a good quality djembe and I'm willing to pay the price but wondered if his price is normal...he said it would cost $500. That includes tax.
I'm really excited about getting this drum. I've wanted to learn to drum since I was little and only got as far as a tambourine..which I paint on. (I'm an artist).
But after drumming in a drum circle and using the tambourines...it gives me the energy I'm searching for. I love it.
If anyone has any suggestions as to what I should look out for when I meet the drum dealer, I'd love to hear. Again..I've read and read and read on line ..and then read some more! Also...is it better to get a mali? I'll be singing with the drum and possibly going to drum circles but that's about it...
thanks! I'm glad I found this forum. There seems to be a wealth of information on it!

[bubudi]

ravdeb, ma hainyanim? hakol akhla?!

i doubt you'll be disappointed with your drum, and if you want to know what price drumskull drums usually go for, have a look on their website. the price looks good to me, provided the drum is in very good shape.

my advice is to take some lessons. you have years of unexpressed creativity bottled up inside you so your heart will probably tell you to just let it loose. but if you work on your techniques with a teacher, your music will sound much better and you will be able to do things that you wouldn't have otherwise come up with. there are a couple of very good drumming classes you can take in tel aviv. i'm not sure about other cities. maybe the person you're buying the djembe from will be able to connect you with a teacher.

oh yea... you might want to hold back from painting your drum. if you ever sell it, it will be worth more in its original state. and also the skin should never get wet!

[ravdeb]

thanks and yes..ha kol achla!
The dealer said he would look for lessons in my area but I think I found a teacher here. Once I get the drum, I'll look into that. I agree..I want lessons..I want to learn the culture of the drum and not just from youtube.
I definitely want to do more than just hit it and admire its beauty!
And nooooooooo...I would never paint on the djembe! My tambourines, though they are used by those who buy them (and I use mine) they are really more ornamental. One day I'll work on painting other instruments that can be painted on! Or gee...maybe I should stick to canvas!

[bubudi]

also, you could say that israel is pretty much on the tip of north africa. if you really want to learn the culture of the djembe, you should try to make the trip to west africa (particularly mali and guinea) some time.

hey there is nothing wrong with painting instruments. i've painted a few yidakis (didgeridoos). it's a good way to show love to a favourite instrument! i have painted darboukas, but never djembes.

behatzlakhah!

[ravdeb]

right...I will one day go to Africa. been wanting to go since I did my 4th grade geography project on Africa!
Yes..of course it's okay to paint on instruments! was joking. Truth is..I don't paint on canvas! LOL
thanks!

[Waraba]

Mali & Guinea djembes, neither is intrinsically superior. Worksmanship matters most.

[ravdeb]

okay..thanks. I was wondering if..because the bowl is different... if one is preferred over the other for what I want to do...basically I will learn to play (kinda important!) and then hopefully accompany myself using the drum, to lead singing at our prayer services like I do on the guitar. And..I would take it to drum circles. My goal is not to be great..just to enjoy it using it to enhance what I already do and add something new to my community. And I love drums!

[bubudi]

let your ears decide which is better for you!

[ravdeb]

oh..I like that answer. thanks!