http://www.yacubaddy.com      Take the time to go through the menu of this site
which has a wealth of videos, etc on respected senior Ghanaian drummer Yacub
Addy's work, including new video by his exceptional ensemble Odadaa! with a
taste of their new song "Momo  Obama", a full page on his collaboration with
Wynton Marsalis, a video on Ga culture shot in Ghana, links for purchasing their
releases, etc.

Wednesday nights 6:30 - 7:30 PM with Jali Jaboteh.  Master drummer from Senegal
teaches traditional W. African djembe in Worcester, MA  $10.  See: 
http://www.myspace.com/jalikunda  email Michael for more info.
<mxchurch@...>
--
Edit by Mod.

Hello Dennis,

> Amongst the skins at my disposal is a specially thick goat skin
> (African, hair on, dark brown) which seems of good quality, fairly
> even thickness, etc. Possibly the thickest goat skin I've seen,
> setting aside very uneven skins with a great thick section on the
> upper spine, thin elsewhere.

congrats!


> One of the drums I need to re-skin is a tall narrow hardwood
> djembe, unusually dense and heavy. It can give cracking slaps but
> does not do well with a thin skin, best results in past have been
> with medium thick goat skin. I've never tried a goat skin this
> thick on this or any djembe for that matter. I've often been
> tempted to put a really thick skin on this drum and crank it way,
> way up to see how it performs (I've got 36 top ring loops for about
> a 12 inch diameter head so can put lot of tension on it!).

Imho its easier with thicker skins to achieve good sounds (especially
open tones). But I heard folks play on cowskin djembes with fantastic
slaps! I rather look for thicker skins. I've been playin a cowskin
djembe for a while and I'm happy with it, though my slaps are not
fantastic, but thats a matter of technique.
Maybe one thing to keep in mind is that your hands get more
resistance on thicker skins ...

To answer your question: I would give it a try, it's worth trying!

regards

dirk

Hi Shorty!

Thanks for your useful advice.

This particular drum is so solid I don't think it would warp. And it's quite
circular. (The first djembe I ever got was oval but very good-sounding!)

However after looking at some more skins and making comparisons I've realized
this particular skin is unusually stiff as well as unusually thick. So I'll save
it for the bigger boomy drum which will probably suit it better, and my strong
but slender beauty will get a medium-weight skin so she can sound to best
advantage :) ... I'll conduct the super-thick skin very-very-very tight on small
radius head experiment another time..,

Still interested to hear others' opinions/experience on this.

best to all.

Denis



On 10/01/2010, at 3:38 PM, shorty@... wrote:

> hi dennis and all
> i have found the thicker skins pulled really tight on a drum can warp the
shell.they will sound good. all the drums that i have seen that were oval
sounded great. i just think that a medium or lighter skin will get you some good
slaps. probably wont last as long but will sound good more then likely will not
warp the head. .
> happy drumming and new year to all
> shorty
> www.goatskins.com

****************************************************
Denis Robinson

Email:
	 dj.robinson@...

Phone:
	 (64) (9) 3737599 ext 87445 (w)
	 (64) (9) 3737599 ext 87491 (secretaries)
	 (64) (9) 8284455 (h)

Fax
	 (64) (9) 3737408

Mail:
	 c/o Philosophy,
	 University of Auckland,
	 Private Bag 92019,
	 Auckland, 1142
	 New Zealand.

****************************************************

Greetings Everyone!
The studio where Fara has been teaching for the last several years has been sold
and will no longer be operating as a dance studio. This week we will be having a
"trial" class and if the landlord deems the sound is not too much this will
become our new home for Tuesday and Friday classes.

The Studio is called Elite. This is their info.
3005 Sterling Circle
Boulder, CO 80301-2329
(303) 442-3745

This tuesday (1/12) Fara will have his first trial class there from 6:30-8:00
p.m. for $12. If both parties are happy with the new situation then we will
announce a full schedule (including beg. Friday classes) after tuesday. Hope to
see you there!
For further questions and information about Fara's classes, please contact
kissidugu@...
Please pass this on to anyone you know who is not on this list! Thanks!

Sogbety Diomande will be presenting West African Drum & Dance
Jan 30, 2010 Saturday  All Day
Bellville Opera House, 142 Park Place Bellville, OH
Tickets: $10 for each event $5 students/ event 13 and up.  12 and under free.

Master drummers and dancers from the Ivory Coast will teach and perform.
Drum Class 1:00 pm
Dance Class 2:30 pm
Performance  4:00 pm

Mod Note: phone number? website? Contact info?

drumdanpam@...

hey Kevin,

I know you didn't ask for all this but here goes...

A few things. In the old days, we would use antelope skins and they tend to be
thicker. I use thick goat skins or medium thick for great sound and overall good
use and wear. Some of the drumming greats use a calf skin on the djembe
sometimes. It gives you a richer tone sound while retaining the high pitch of
the slaps. Make sure your djembe can handle a thicker head as some wood is too
thin to hold its round and can warp the bowl.

I agree with Beverly that great slaps come from relaxed technique and not
cracking the drum with a heavy hand. When you are young, it is easy to fall into
this style of playing but as you develop, you will find gravity and a relaxed
attitude to your technique a good friend. You can play faster with the same
volume as you stay relaxed. Your slaps will be brighter (higher pitched) and
your feel will be better.

Yes, there is a time to play heavy when you need to. To produce a round tone
that will cut through with volume but not so much with slaps. The more muscle
the more sound is only sometimes true.

Best to you.

Alan (mod squad)
http://www.drumconnection.com

PS Remember Happy!

Hi Beverley,

thanks for your reply

I didn't make my query very clear. I'm not a newbie and I don't have trouble
playing slaps. I have several quite good djembes and have been playing for over
a decade (since way back when I used to have debates with Lilian, remember?).

The djembe I was talking about, as I should have explained, is rather
distinctive. I've had several good heads on it and it is usually easy to get
good slaps from (tones can be more of a mission).

When you know this drum you can easily get slaps with  – and here's the point –
a rather distinctive sound quality. I don't know how to describe it but I used
the word "cracking", which has failed to get the message across. All I can say
is that there is a whip-crack quality to the sound of slaps on this drum which
is rather distinctive and slightly different from most drums I've heard. It is
an unusual djembe, very hard and dense, heavy, and rather narrow and elongated
(and finely crafted). Beautiful, slender, quite sculptural, and very plain (no
ornamentation).

So I guess on reflection, what I was really wondering about was whether using a
very thick skin would affect the tonal quality or timbre of the slaps on this
particular drum. Maybe that's a silly question (since you guys don't know the
drum). Never mind, worth a try I guess.

Best wishes to all,

Cheers,

Denis

> I am not sure what you mean by "cracking" slaps. Good slaps come from good
technique. It is possible to get very good slaps from a table top. However
thinner skins do give a higher, thinner slap than do thicker ones. Thing conga.
Although the technique is different for normal conga slaps, there is an open
slap on those drums as well. I would not call it "cracking."
>
> Beverly
>
> Walk in beauty on your path.
>

Hey Denis. I would say that the slaps would not be what you call cracking with a
really thick skin. But the tones would be huge. I like thick. It is not as
"cracking" as a medium skin but I like the sound better. The slaps will be dryer
and short in response. If you are also asking "can you get it cranked up?",
absolutely. I have a domestic cow skin on a mali djembe that is higher than the
goat skin I play, which are cranked. But I do not like one over the other. It
just different. In fact if I am in dance class I like to have both. Solo on one
then totally change my sound and play the other.  It is harder on the hands to
play a super thick skin, particluarly cow, and does not have the same give but I
like it. You can get thick skins really tight as long as they don't break. Just
don't crank it all in one day. Let if get there over time. But as with any drum
each has a voice and each sounds different with different skins. Sometimes shell
sound is maximized by a certain skin. Sometimes you are just looking for a sound
rather than what "maximizes" volume etc. In the end you just need to do the work
even if it doesn't have the result if you want to see. On my own drums it is
worth it to find out. If it doesn't work out that sucks. if it does, how can you
measure a djembe that has the sound you are looking for? My 2 cents....

Michael

THE RHYTHM CAFÉ
CREATING A CENTRE FOR WORLD MUSIC AND RHYTHM IN LONDON

OUR VISION:

Our vision is to facilitate our joining together for rhythmical empowerment &
uplifting joy using the power of music & dance; sharing musical gifts that bring
us beauty, confidence, connection & self-expression. Gifts that transcend
cultural difference, linguistic barriers, gender & age!

To create a space in London, where people who love connecting through the drum
and rhythm can hang out, meet others, network, relax, drink something warm on a
cold night in a beautiful space, listen to great music, dance, sing, be
entertained, feel good & be creative.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE:

The Rhythm Cafe will include a shop where you will be able to buy musical &
percussion instruments including drums, shakers etc. You will be able to buy
drinks like coffee and teas, and some organic raw food snacks. Comfortable
chairs and sofas, will make it feel like a home away from home. Drums will be
provided for you to jam with, and there will be times when people will
spontaneously jam and make music. In the evenings we will have various
entertainment including World Music Groups, World Music Jams, Facilitated Drum
Circles, Drumming Workshops, Talks and Movie Evenings. The decorations will be
influenced by music and culture around the world, India, Morocco, Brazil and
Africa.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS DREAM A REALITY - A GLOBAL RHYTHMS VENUE IN LONDON!

The Launch will take place on Friday the 12th February 2010

Venue:
The Pirates Castle
Oval Rd
Camden
London
UK

TIME: 7pm to 1am

PROGRAM:
Performances by 'Beats Ecstatic' and other World Music Bands
Jamming, dance and song
Chill Out Space
Drumming workshop
Open Mic
Bar
Snacks
Organic Food
Talks
Movies
DJ's into the night

Cost: £7

More info:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=276779805644#/group.php?v=info&gid=2767798\
05644

Please spread the word and get involved.
www.therhythmcafe.com
coming soon!

I will be bringing up some of the kids I work with to perform on the main stage
of the Kennedy Center in DC at around 4PM on Sunday, February 21st.  They will
be smokin' hot by then, and are set to close a 2 1/2 hour show by high school
student groups from all over the country.  If any of you djembe-l'ers are in
that area and send me your name, I can get you free tickets to see the show. 
Let me hear from you.

Tom Harris
Therapeutic Drumming Manager
Youth Villages, Inner Harbour Campus

Hi African music and dance lovers,

Next week (19-20 january) I will be in London staying in the city centre. I was
wondering wether there are any African percussion and/or dance performances I
could visit? Or jam sessions?

I would be grateful for any suggestions.

regards
Mark

...rather narrow and elongated (and finely crafted). Beautiful, slender, quite
sculptural, a slaps, there is an open slap on those drums as well. I would not
call it "cracking."
> >
> > Beverly


Hi Denis
IMO the clue to your "good slaps, not-so-great tones" is in your statement "it's
(the drum is) rather narrow and elongated." Because the narrower a drum is, the
more it will usually play like this...

For instance with Remo Djembes (and yes, I do play one occasionally), the wider
the head the harder it is to get a good sound out of it! (IMO!)
I'm able to get fairly decent sounds out of my 12" Remo, but only by tightening
it way, way up and then dampening it's ringing by using a small dab (or several
dabs sometimes) of sticky window insulation foam under the head. But I've
discovered that the 10" narrower Remos have IMO a much better sound (when
tightened), so the stickies under the head are not even necessary!

I once played a friends much smaller and narrower 10" head Boogeraboo that she'd
changed over from cow to goatskin and then tightened up. It didn't sound at all
like my conga-sounding Boog with it's 12" cow skin hair head, and I was
delighted to discover that I could make it sound like a quieter, but very good,
djembe by just finger-playing it!

Namaste,
~Skip~  ">})
(Greywoulf)

Currently I'm in the process starting a drum choir in my UU church in Lincroft,
NJ (UUCMC), and have begun teaching many new people djembe rhythms. -Great fun,
and very satisfying for me!

However several of my newbies have been asking me about tuning up their djembes,
and I've been showing them my method (learned from Shorty a long time ago, BTW),
which has always been over two (verticals) to start, back thru the middle, and
around under two! (And I've always thot this was the "Mali Weave...?)

But recently I saw on the web some people teaching how to tune djembes using the
opposite method: UNDER two to start, around thru the middle, then OVER two! And
they're calling THIS method the "Mali Weave.." -So if this is the "Mali Weave",
what is the method I use to pull diamonds called?

Also, is there any advantage of one over the other of the two methods?

Anyway, HI ALL! -Haven't posted here in a while..!

Namaste,
~Skip~  ">})
(Greywoulf)

http://hawkfestdrumanddancegathering.com/?page_id=11

Entry fees:

Currently all tickets will be sold at the gate.
(no credit card & no checks will be accepted)

FULL FESTIVAL PRICE: $40.00 per person/18 or over (seasoned veterans excluded
with parent/guardian )

VENDOR FEE: $30.00

DAY PASSES are available for any SINGLE day from Noon until 2:00 AM the
following morning: $25.00. If you decide to stay after 2:00 AM, there will be an
additional $15 charge which allows you to stay for the rest of the event.
After 4:00 PM Saturday, February 20 overnight stay: $30.00 per person

BEFORE/AFTER: Early arrival is permitted after noon on Wednesday at a charge of
$10/person. ALL Participants must be off-site by 2pm on Sunday!

WRISTBANDS : must be worn and visible at all times. We ask your cooperation with
our staff if they request to see your wristband. Remember, they are doing their
jobs— serving the Hawkfesters!

Hawkfest is in FLORIDA, USA... just so people know.

:)

--- In djembe-l@yahoogroups.com, "drumwoulf" <drumwoulf@...> wrote:
>
> Currently I'm in the process starting a drum choir in my UU church in
Lincroft, NJ (UUCMC), and have begun teaching many new people djembe rhythms.
-Great fun, and very satisfying for me!
>
>......
>
> Namaste,
> ~Skip~  ">})
> (Greywoulf)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I want to scream **HI!!!** and hope you'll hear me from down the road, lol! I'm
a NJ UU person who goes to the UUC in Montclair. You're starting a drum choir??
Can I come?? Seriously, I am about to look up how far Lincroft is from me...
:)

High quality hardwood drums built in Dakar with wood from Guinea , Mali and
Senegal , download latest catalogue and see pics/vids etc. at
www.skinsandstrings.com

New west coast U.S. retail outlet coming soon , stay tuned ...

Possible container share to East coast U.S. in 2010

All enquiries nickhall54@...

Stock up for the summer , happy drumming ;)

Dieudieuf!!

Nick+Fatou

Tradeafro
Skinsandstrings

Hi all...

Didn't realize I was opening such a can of good worms here. ">})
Okay, I guess the name of the diamond pulling style isn't important, but I think
I do like Beverly's "locking" and "running" weave names, and I may now try both
on the same drum now (like her), just to see what that's like?

I don't have a cranking lever tool and am getting older (aren't we all?), so
sometimes the "over" method is hard (but not impossible,) with my
semi-arthritic, occasionally hurting hands! ">})

However one helpful method I've found is to fill a 12" to 14" piece of steel
plumbers pipe with sand and cap it on both ends with pipe caps, then wrap sticky
velcro around the pipe. This makes an ideal heavy and firm pulling tool when you
wrap the rope ends around it!
I usually put the drum on the floor, put my foot on it, and then pull with
gloves on and the rope around this pipe.
-Works pretty good, but I wouldn't carry this tool of mine onto any airplane
tho; the thing looks just like I imagine most folks would think a pipe bomb
looks!

And hey, hello again to all my good drumming friends; longtime no see with far
too many of you! -So tell me, whatever happened to the MA Earth Drum Council; I
never hear of them anymore, are they still operating? (Hopefully they didn't go
the way of Ted Kennedy's seat?!)

Namaste,
~Skip~  ">})
(Greywoulf)

> I want to scream **HI!!!** and hope you'll hear me from down the road, lol!
I'm a NJ UU person who goes to the UUC in Montclair. You're starting a drum
choir?? Can I come?? Seriously, I am about to look up how far Lincroft is from
me...
> :)
>

Hi

Rehearsals for our UUCMC drum choir (called "Roots and Wings") are on the 2'nd
and 4'th Monday evenings of each month, from 7-9PM, at our  UUCMC Meeting House
in Lincroft, NJ. You should check ahead (with me) before coming though, because
sometime these dates and times can be changed. (For February/March 2010 they're
okay..)

Drummers who are not members of our UU congregation are always welcome to join
us, but need to respect that this is not a drum circle where one can jam freely,
but a true drumming choir where we are learning, practicing, and rehearsing
(mostly) West African rhythms and following the direction of the choirmaster.

There is no charge for attending but you need to bring your own drum(s). Almost
all kinds of hand-played drums are okay (including congas), but no drum set
stuff, no stick-played snares or toms, are considered acceptable.

Namaste,
~Skip~  ">})
(Greywoulf)