
DJEMBE LEVEL 1: HOMEWORK
Welcome to the Djembe Level 1 Homework section! Here, you'll find essential hints, tips, and exercises to support your Djembe journey. Explore our resources and enhance your skills as you dive into the world of Djembe playing!
01 Practise Pattern
Applying bass and tone to a djembe practise pattern.
Focus: Technique, stamina and tempo.
Tip: Cruise into meditation...
Be aware of the way you are lifting and dropping the arms... Feel the bounce in the bass and contact on fingertips.
02 Classic Pattern
Applying bass and tone to a classic djembe pattern.
Focus: Technique, stamina.
Tip: Start with right hand on bass... Bring that same hand back for the first tone (R,R,L,R,R,L,R,R,L,R)
Then start with the left hand!
03 One Handed Clapping
Exercise to get suppleness in fingers.
Focus: Get a free movement happening from fingers.
Tip: Set wrist in a locking position because we don't want the wrists to really get involved in this movement.
04 Slap Technique (without pain)
To get the slap sound we are working around the edge of the drum… The danger zone!
Focus: Technique.
Tip: Position our palms on the edge of the drum in a resting position. Open your fingers out and have them pointing upwards TO THE SKY.
05 Warm Up Exercise
Bass, bass, tone, tone, slap, slap, tone, tone (repeat)
Focus: Stamina and unison… Not speed!
Tip: As you are doing it, think of that sense of gravity for bass and tone... And that suppleness and freedom in the fingers for the slap.
06 Tone & Slap Exercise
When learning slap, it’s important to revert back to the tone so you can check that you are getting contrast between the two.
Focus: Technique... Open and closed finger positions.
Tip: Play around with the two sounds with both hands.