Tuning a Djembe African Drum Is a Balancing Act Of Size, Shape, and Stress
Saturday, May 21st, 2011
Djembe drums are expected to have a unique, multi-layered tone. There are 3 different components that work together to impact on the changing of that tone as well as the pitch, the higher or lower sound, of the drum. The first factor that will influence the relative pitch of the drum is the dimension of the drum head. As in most musical instruments, and for sure the percussion instruments, lower and deeper pitch is the result of the instrument being comparatively larger than others. If the drum head is larger, you would expect the sound to be lower and deeper.
A second factor that impacts on the pitch and timbre of the djembe is the tension that is placed on the drum head. This is known as tuning the head. As the drum head is subjected to the tensioning, or tightening process, the pitch will rise. As the tension on the head is loosened, the pitch will get lower up to a point of having no pitch at all because it is too loose.
The third component of a djembe drum is the depth in the body, or bowl. As the body size and depth increases, the sound of the drum will become lower all things else being equal. The proper tone and pitch is a combination of all three factors.
