Home>Gift Ideas>Djembe Review: The Ultimate Percussion Instrument for Him

Djembe Review: The Ultimate Percussion Instrument for Him Djembe Review: The Ultimate Percussion Instrument for Him

Gift Ideas

Djembe Review: The Ultimate Percussion Instrument for Him

Written by: Ricky Dudley

Discover the ultimate percussion instrument with our Djembe review. Perfect for him, this traditional African drum promises exceptional sound and quality craftsmanship.

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Giftslessordinary.com, at no extra cost. Learn more)

The Djembe is a popular percussion instrument that is loved by musicians and music enthusiasts worldwide. In this Djembe Review: The Ultimate Percussion Instrument for Him, we will take a closer look at this unique drum and its features that make it a great choice for any aspiring musician or experienced player. Whether you are looking for a new instrument to add to your collection or want to learn more about the Djembe, this review will provide you with all the information you need to know. From its rich history to its versatile sound, the Djembe is a must-have for anyone who loves music and rhythm.

Top Picks:

Overall Score: 8/10

The Meinl Percussion Djembe Hand Drum Circle Instrument is part of the Alpine Series and is designed to withstand outdoor elements without the need for high maintenance. It's made from all-weather synthetic material, making it lightweight and easy to clean. The drum provides thumping bass and crisp slap tones, and comes with a tuning wrench for quick adjustments. The shell measures 12" wide x 24" tall and weighs about 8 lbs, with a head measuring 12". It's suitable for all skill levels and is designed to be played right out of the box.

Key Features

  • Alpine Series Djembe for all-weather use
  • Easy tuning and maintenance
  • Provides thumping bass and crisp slap tones
  • Comes with tuning wrench for quick adjustments
  • Suitable for all skill levels

Specifications

  • Color: Barnwood
  • Dimension: 12.00Lx12.00Wx24.00H
  • Size: 12"

Pros

  • All-weather synthetic material for outdoor use
  • Easy to clean and lightweight
  • Comes ready to play out of the box
  • Tuning wrench for quick adjustments

Cons

  • Some users may prefer natural skin over synthetic

The Meinl Percussion Djembe from the Alpine Series is a versatile and durable hand drum suitable for all skill levels. Its all-weather synthetic material and easy tuning make it perfect for outdoor use, and the included tuning wrench allows for quick adjustments. While some users may prefer natural skin, the overall quality and craftsmanship of this drum make it a worthwhile purchase.

Overall Score: 8/10

The Meinl Percussion Djembe with Mahogany Wood is a 10-inch medium-sized rope-tuned drum that comes with a 2-year warranty. Suitable for beginners, it offers remarkable warm, clear tones with deep bass and high-pitched slap tones. The shell is hand-carved from a single piece of mahogany, and the drum comes tuned and ready to play. The drum is beautifully designed for decoration and is suitable for drum circles, jamming with friends, or teaching students about rhythm. Although it is indeed is a 10-inch drum and might be a bit small for some, it certainly produces amazing sounds and looks great on display.

Key Features

  • Strike the center for deep, resonant bass and near the rim for high-pitched slap tones
  • Suitable for drum circles, acoustic shows, jamming, and rhythm teaching
  • Handmade single-piece mahogany shell with hand carving
  • Traditional goat skin rawhide head for classic warm, clear tone
  • Comes tuned and with pre-stretched ropes for long-lasting pitch

Specifications

  • Color: Black River
  • Dimension: 10.00Lx10.00Wx20.00H
  • Size: Medium

Pros

  • Suitable for beginners and experts
  • Remarkable low sound as well as the high-pitched slap
  • Handmade mahogany shell with appealing design
  • Comes tuned and ready to play
  • Produces amazing sounds and looks great on display

Cons

  • Might be small for some people
  • Initial need for tuning
  • Shoulder strap might be uncomfortable for long transportation
  • Black mark transfer

The Meinl Percussion Djembe with Mahogany Wood is a great option for those looking to start learning percussion or for experienced players. It offers a perfect combination of remarkable sound quality, beautiful design, and ease of play. While it may require some initial tuning and could be slightly small for some individuals, it delivers an overall incredible experience and carries a lot of value.

Overall Score: 8/10

The AKLOT African Drum is a hand-carved jembe drum for adults beginners. It features a genuine goatskin drumhead and exquisite handcrafted mahogany design. The drum is a standard size popular among grade, middle schools, and new beginners due to its versatility and portability. The base section of the drum has a hand-carved flying elephant pattern, symbolizing luck and best wishes. It offers a 45-day satisfaction and quality warranty, making it a reliable option for those seeking a quality musical instrument.

Key Features

  • GENUINE GOATSKIN DRUMHEAD: Offers a sharper sound with fewer overtones
  • EXQUISITE HANDCRAFTED: Carved from one solid piece of mahogany
  • STANDARD SIZE: Measures 9.5''x20'' and is portable
  • HAND-CARVED DESIGN: Features a hand-carved flying elephant pattern
  • 5-STAR POST-SALE: Offers 45 days satisfaction and quality warranty

Specifications

  • Color: 9.5'' Hand-Painted Red
  • Size: 9.5''

Pros

  • Quality sound and construction
  • Unique hand-carved design
  • Portable and versatile

Cons

  • Inconsistency in color and design
  • Some issues with craftsmanship

The AKLOT African Drum Hand-Carved Djembe is a great option for beginners and musicians alike. It offers quality sound, unique design, and portability, making it suitable for various musical applications. While there may be some minor inconsistencies in color and craftsmanship, the overall experience and customer satisfaction rate make this drum a reliable choice.

Overall Score: 9/10

The Meinl Percussion Djembe Hand Drum is a beautifully crafted instrument made from a single piece of solid mahogany. It is perfect for drum circles, jams, acoustic shows, or teaching about rhythm. With a classic warm tone and sturdy construction, this djembe is suitable for beginners and professionals alike.

Key Features

  • Produces deep resonant bass and high-pitched slap tones
  • Handmade from solid mahogany with traditional goat skin head
  • Comes tuned and ready to play straight out of the box

Specifications

  • Color: Nile
  • Dimension: 10.00Lx10.00Wx20.00H
  • Size: Medium

Pros

  • All-purpose, sturdy design suitable for indoor or outdoor use
  • Produces a wide range of sounds for beginners and professionals
  • Beautiful hand-carved exterior adds to home or studio decor

Cons

  • May have some minor workmanship flaws such as wood putty
  • May require some splinter sanding for safety with young children

The Meinl Percussion Djembe Hand Drum is a high-quality, beautifully designed instrument suitable for drum circles, performances, or individual practice. Despite some minor cosmetic and safety concerns, it delivers on sound quality and playability, making it a great option for both beginners and seasoned players.

Overall Score: 8/10

The Remo DJ-0014-05 Mondo Djembe Drum is a high-quality instrument with a deep, rich sound, and a sturdy, durable build. It is designed with synthetic materials to withstand various weather conditions, and offers ease of tuning with a key. The drum produces a wide range of tones and overtones, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles and settings. The Earth finish gives it a beautiful and textured appearance. It comes with dampening rings, a drum key, and a sticky piece of felt for adjustments. While it may need some initial work to achieve the desired sound, it is a great choice for both amateur and experienced drummers.

Key Features

  • Package Dimensions: 46.5 cms (L) x 47.0 cms (W) x 72.5 cms (H)
  • Product Type: Instrument Parts And Accessories
  • Package Quantity: 1
  • Country Of Origin: United States

Specifications

  • Color: Earth
  • Dimension: 10.00Lx10.00Wx10.00H
  • Size: 14"

Pros

  • Sturdy and durable build with synthetic materials
  • Produces deep, rich bass and a wide range of tones
  • Comes with dampening rings, a drum key, and felt piece
  • Suitable for various weather conditions
  • Easy tuning with a key

Cons

  • May require initial adjustments for optimal sound
  • Large size may not be suitable for smaller users

The Remo Earth Djembe Drum is a great investment for drummers looking for a durable, versatile instrument. While it may need some adjustments for the best sound, its sturdy build, ease of tuning, and wide range of tones make it a valuable addition to any musician’s collection.

Overall Score: 8/10

The Drums Djembe is a small, high-quality drum made in the West African style. It is suitable for children aged 12 months and up, making it a great wooden toy for djembe music. However, some customers found it to be smaller than anticipated, while others praised its craftsmanship and sound quality.

Key Features

  • Mini djembe drum for kids or decoration
  • High-quality Darbuka drum
  • Affordable percussion kit or collectible item
  • Suitable for children aged 12 months and up

Specifications

  • Color: Brown
  • Size: 4×8

Pros

  • High-quality craftsmanship
  • Great sound quality
  • Suitable for children

Cons

  • Smaller than anticipated for some customers
  • Some customers received damaged products

The Drums Djembe is a well-crafted, high-quality drum suitable for children. While some customers found it to be smaller than expected, it received praise for its sound quality and craftsmanship. Overall, it’s a great option for introducing children to percussion instruments.

Overall Score: 9/10

The Remo KD-0608-01 Kids Percusson 8" Djembe Drum is a part of the Remo Kid's Percussion Collection. It is an 8×14 inch djembe with an Acoustic on Shell. The drum comes in a colorful fabric rainforest print, is 14.00Lx8.00Wx8.00H in dimension, and is designed for children 5 years old and above. Customers have highly praised the quality, durability, tone, and vibration of this drum. While it is expensive, it is a great addition for kids and even adults to play and have fun with. The drum is sturdy and well-designed, making it a durable investment for musical activities and therapies with kids. It is also a loud drum that produces professional tones and resonates well. Customers suggest checking the tuning upon arrival and being careful not to drop the drum frequently to avoid damage. Even though the price is high, the quality and entertainment value make it worth the investment. The colorful fabric rainforest print is appreciated but some customers wish for more color options.

Key Features

  • Brand: Remo
  • Product Code: KD060801
  • 8x14Inch Djembe: True
  • Acoustic On Shell: True
  • Part Of Collection: Kids Percussion
  • Color: Fabric Rain Forest

Specifications

  • Color: Fabric Rain Forest
  • Dimension: 14.00Lx8.00Wx8.00H
  • Size: 8" Djembe Drum Fabric Rain Forest

Pros

  • High quality and durable construction
  • Professional tone and balanced resonance
  • Positive experience for kids and therapeutic activities

Cons

  • Expensive price point
  • Limited color options

The Remo KD-0608-01 Kids Percusson Djembe Drum is an excellent choice as a musical instrument for kids, offering high-quality and durable construction, professional tones, and resonating well. It provides a positive experience for kids and can be used for therapeutic activities. While it comes with an expensive price tag, the drum’s entertainment value and durability make it a worthy investment for children’s musical and educational activities.

Overall Score: 6/10

Experience the rhythms of West Africa with the B.N.D TOP Drums Djembe Drum. This 5×9 inch drum is perfect for children and beginners, with a rope-goat skin cover and a goblet shape for easy playing with bare hands. Enjoy the authentic sound of the djembe drum in a compact and portable design. Whether it's for decoration or for playing, this drum is a great addition to any musical collection.

Key Features

  • Rope-goat skin covered goblet drum
  • Playable with bare hands
  • Compact and portable design

Specifications

  • N/A

Pros

  • Great sound quality
  • Sturdy and good for gifting

Cons

  • Small size may not be suitable for all
  • Some received dirty or low quality product

The B.N.D TOP Drums Djembe Drum offers a great way to experience the authentic rhythms of West Africa, with a compact and portable design that is perfect for beginners and children. While there have been some issues with product quality, the overall sound and build make it a worthwhile purchase for those looking to add a djembe drum to their collection.

Overall Score: 8/10

Experience the joy of playing the Latin Percussion World Collection Circle Djembe! This 7" diameter x 16" high drum features LP's Exclusive HD Shell Construction with a reinforced bearing edge and a Synthetic Perfect-Pitch head. It also boasts an Ever-Tune Rope for superior durability in all weather climates. This red Djembe is perfect for both beginners and professionals, with rave reviews for its surprising sound quality and beautiful, well-made design.

Key Features

  • Diameter: 7" Diameter x 16" high
  • Construction: LP's Exclusive HD Shell Construction with reinforced bearing edge
  • Head: Synthetic Perfect-Pitch head
  • Rope: Ever-Tune Rope

Specifications

  • Color: Red
  • Dimension: 15.00Lx10.00Wx10.00H
  • Size: 7-inch

Pros

  • Smart piece with pro quality
  • Surprising sound and easy to carry
  • Beautiful and well made
  • Portable and easy to carry with great sound

Cons

  • Not enough sound and very small for some users
  • Drum surface may tear after extended use

The Latin Percussion World Collection Circle Djembe in striking red is a top choice for anyone looking for a portable, high-quality drum. With its durable construction and excellent sound, this Djembe has received rave reviews from users. While some may find it small, the majority of customers are thrilled with the beautiful design and surprising sound quality of this instrument. Whether you’re a professional musician or just starting out, this Djembe is a must-have for anyone who loves to make music.

Overall Score: 7/10

The Toca TFCDJ-7MS Color Sound Djembe Set offers seven eye-catching metallic colors. These Freestyle Colorsound Djembes have a durable 7" synthetic head and are made from a lightweight, synthetic shell material. The set is ideal for music educators, drum circle enthusiasts, and casual groups of all ages. While some reviewers praised the great sound and beautiful colors, others were not happy with the sound quality, labeling it as tinny and with virtually no difference between tones. The set is small, lightweight, and easy to handle, making it a good choice for recreation drumming and drum circles. It produces a very good tone and slap tone, though the bass tone is pretty non-existent due to the small drum head size. Overall, it's a great deal for the price.

Key Features

  • Seven eye-catching metallic colors
  • Ideal for music educators and drum circle enthusiasts

Specifications

  • Color: Set of 7
  • Dimension: 18.90Lx13.78Wx22.83H
  • Size: -inch

Pros

  • Eye-catching metallic colors
  • Ideal for casual groups of all ages
  • Inexpensive and lightweight

Cons

  • Small size with non-existent bass tone
  • Sound quality may be tinny for some

The Toca TFCDJ-7MS Color Sound Djembe Set is an affordable and lightweight option for casual drumming and drum circle groups of all ages. While the sound quality may vary for some users, the eye-catching metallic colors, ease of handling, and good tone and slap tone make it a great deal for the price.

Types of Djembes

  • Traditional Wooden Djembes
  • Fiberglass Djembes
  • Synthetic Djembes

Size and Shape

  • Different sizes for different purposes (e.g. smaller ones for kids, larger ones for adults)
  • Consider the shape and how it feels against your body

Material

  • Wood, fiberglass, or synthetic
  • Consider durability, weight, and sound quality

Sound Quality

  • Test the djembe to hear its sound
  • Look for deep, rich tones

Rope or Tension System

  • Traditional djembes use rope tuning
  • Some modern djembes have metal tuning systems
  • Consider ease of tuning and maintenance

Design and Decoration

  • Some djembes are plain while others have intricate designs and carvings
  • Consider the aesthetic appeal and personal preference

Ease of Portability

  • Consider weight and size if you plan to travel with your djembe
  • Some djembes have built-in straps for easier carrying

Budget

  • Set a budget before shopping for a djembe
  • Consider the quality and features that are important to you within that budget

Maintenance

  • Wooden djembes may require more maintenance than fiberglass or synthetic ones
  • Consider the time and effort needed to keep the djembe in good condition

Accessories

  • Some djembes come with accessories like bags, straps, or tuning tools
  • Consider if these extra items are important to you

Personal Style and Preference

  • Ultimately, choose a djembe that suits your personal style and preference
  • Consider the sound, feel, and look of the djembe before making a decision

Frequently Asked Questions about Djembe Review: The Ultimate Percussion Instrument for Him

What are the origins of the djembe?

The djembe originated in West Africa, specifically in the countries of Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. It has a rich history and tradition within these cultures.

How is a djembe made?

A djembe is typically made from a hollowed-out piece of wood, with a drumhead made from animal skin, usually goat or cow. The drumhead is stretched over the top of the drum and secured with rope.

What kind of music is the djembe used for?

The djembe is often used in traditional African music, as well as in contemporary world music and fusion genres. It is known for its versatile and powerful sound.

Can anyone play the djembe?

Yes, anyone can learn to play the djembe! It takes practice and dedication, but with the right instruction, anyone can learn to play this beautiful instrument.

How do you play the djembe?

To play the djembe, you use your hands to strike the drumhead in different ways to create various tones and rhythms. It takes skill and coordination, but with practice, you can become a skilled djembe player.

Was this page helpful?