Hawkdancing Studio Presents a:

African Djembe Drum Building Workshop

Always wanted a African Djembe drum but are intimidated by the construction and ropes? Here's a chance to get a reasonably priced djembe and learn to put it together, tune, care for, and play it in a sacred workshop setting! We'll prepare and head your drum in one seven hour session and then return a week later to finish, tune, and play it!

African Djembe Drum Building Workshop

Provided in the workshop:

Where, When? (Two sessions)

Cost?


Choice of rebuilt Drum shells assigned by registration date. Registration limited.
Want to rebuild/rehead your existing drum at the workshop?
Call for prices!

What should I Bring along?

Visit our African Drum pages to see more drums!

Want to sponsor a workshop near you? I travel but need 6-8 people signed up and charge a slightly higher fee to cover expenses. Please contact me to schedule a date in your area!
Use email address in the above header    or call 715-263-2756

Melina Shell $350 on Left ~~~~Hardwood Lenke Shell $475 on Right

Details Week One:
I've rebuilt 20 Ivory Coast shells. Reworked and leveled the top and bottom edges, filled any cracks or weaknesses and refinished these full size shells. We'll start out with a short connection and attunement meditation and then begin work with choosing and inspecting the shells, and finish oiling them.

  • I'll show how to inspect and select a hide for color and thickness. And start them softening in water.
  • We begin assembly with preparing the rings.
    • First we wrap with electrical tape to seal them from moisture.
    • Select a cloth wrap from materials provided (or bring your own special cloth).
    • Wrap top and bottom rings, glue ends.
    • We'll measure out ring or cradle rope and weave on to the rings.
    • Check for even numbers and spacing, then join together and finish ends.
    • Measure out lengths of rope for the verticals to prepare for heading
  • Head the drum in teams of two.
    • Rinse and wring out skin
    • Prestretch hide
    • Punch holes and tie onto hide ring
    • Thread verical rope and tie end loop
    • Snug down skin, checking for evenness.
  • Prepare for drying
    • Cut excess skin off
    • Wrap with athletic bandage
    • Rough shave drum

At this point we'll talk about personalizing your drum and explore design ideas in carving. painting, adding jewelry and totem items. You'll take your drum home and let it dry for a week!

Details Week Two:

  • Process last weeks experience. Share our drum personalization ideas and plans.
  • Finish shave and lightly sand the heads.
  • Hand tighten the heads.
  • Tighten with rope lever in teams.
  • Learn the ways to start and end a row of weave.
  • Tune em up!

Once we have everyone's drum ready to play, I'll cover some drum basics:

  • Care of your drum.
  • Accessories, and how to use them.
  • Basic playing hand technique.
  • Simple drum circle survival rhythms

We'll end our session by learning a drummers greeting/prayer.

Things to bring along:

  • Required:
    • Cloth or leather gloves
    • Athletic Bandage
    • An open heart!
  • Optional:
    • Custom cloth for rings
    • Small locking pliers
    • Needle nose pliers
    • Scissors
    • Smooth curved blade knife
    • Razor knife