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Long ago I was a member of my high school's Drum Circle where we played African drums. As a college student, that's one of the things I miss most. So given my hobby of building musical instruments (marimba), the logical solution was to build my own djembe.
I could buy one. You can find a cheap one for around 200 US dollars. But what would be the fun in that?
Additionally, Percussionists are notoriously protective of our instruments (As all musicians should be). The problem is drums and mallet percussion instruments like the Marimba and Timpani are very large, very expensive, and about waist high. So other non-percussionists frequently mistake them for tables.
This Djembe is going to fix that problem by doubling as a table. This is an easy fix, all you have to do is place a glass top on it.
First you have to decide what "build" means to you. To me it means carve up a tree myself.
However, if you prefer you can buy ready made djembe shells from suppliers such as African Rhythm Traders. If this is the best option for you, you can skip the next few steps of the instructable. However this instructable will focus on making the shell, and I'll refer you to some other sources for tying the ring knots and verticals.
I could buy one. You can find a cheap one for around 200 US dollars. But what would be the fun in that?
Additionally, Percussionists are notoriously protective of our instruments (As all musicians should be). The problem is drums and mallet percussion instruments like the Marimba and Timpani are very large, very expensive, and about waist high. So other non-percussionists frequently mistake them for tables.
This Djembe is going to fix that problem by doubling as a table. This is an easy fix, all you have to do is place a glass top on it.
First you have to decide what "build" means to you. To me it means carve up a tree myself.
However, if you prefer you can buy ready made djembe shells from suppliers such as African Rhythm Traders. If this is the best option for you, you can skip the next few steps of the instructable. However this instructable will focus on making the shell, and I'll refer you to some other sources for tying the ring knots and verticals.
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Signing UpStep 1Identifying a Tree
If you are going to carve up a tree to make your djembe, there are a few good things to look for.
In my search, I looked for a tree which had already fallen.
The advantage is, half the work is already done for you and the lumber has already started drying (more on that later). The disadvantage is worms. If the tree has been down for some time, worms will have already started decomposing the material by burrowing holes in the material. This can be fixed later, so don't let that scare you.
Regardless of the tree's condition, try to get material from as close to the base as possible. For one, the diameter is larger, which will allow for a larger drum. Two, the "heart" of the tree is bigger (see pictures). I suggest you section off 2 or 3, 40 inch lengths to make your drum out of. 40 inches leaves plenty of work room and the additional logs can be used to make more drums, or as backup material.
In my search, I looked for a tree which had already fallen.
The advantage is, half the work is already done for you and the lumber has already started drying (more on that later). The disadvantage is worms. If the tree has been down for some time, worms will have already started decomposing the material by burrowing holes in the material. This can be fixed later, so don't let that scare you.
Regardless of the tree's condition, try to get material from as close to the base as possible. For one, the diameter is larger, which will allow for a larger drum. Two, the "heart" of the tree is bigger (see pictures). I suggest you section off 2 or 3, 40 inch lengths to make your drum out of. 40 inches leaves plenty of work room and the additional logs can be used to make more drums, or as backup material.
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There is at least one more tree that is dead. Hm, actually three more. Two in my yard that are oak. One long dead pine in the woods outside my yard. Is pine usable? Or should I just make table bases out of it and cut the oaks down? They are not so wide as the pines.
L
I won't claim to be a carpenter but my grandfather certainly is. He's taught me most all I know and helped me extensively with this project as well as my marimba.
From the look of that downed log.. it's either spent a good deal of time lying down already, or the trunk was dead and weathering BEFORE it fell. Just judging by the bark condition about halfway up the fallen log.
If cracks are going to develop, you should know within a few weeks.
Second, At worst, it will require a slight adjustment to the tension ropes. The head and ring don't care about round, oval, square...
Anyway, I guess I'm saying, Treat a drum shape like this, the same way as you would with a bowl. IF you're worried it's too green... carve the rough shape, let it sit a few weeks, then finish. You'll know it's ready for finishing, by how the wood works. Green and seasoned are VERY different beasts.
As a personal question... bark off drying? Is that based on the type of wood? personal technique? folk tales? "that's how my grand pappies grandpappie taught him"? I ask because I was taught to dry timbers bark-on. To slow the drying, and a few other magicks of wood, to reduce chances of checking. It has worked good for me so far, But I'm always willing to learn more!
Thanks for your comment! You've got a lot of good advice there so I'm probably do a copy and paste sometime soon. (If you don't mind.)
I enjoy wood working but I'm far from professional. And oddly I consider myself to be more of a mallet percussionist (marimbas, xylophones, and vibraphones) rather than drummer. So this project was quite a learning experience for me.
Since bongos are smaller, you should consider making them on a lathe. I'm just learning lathe working but I don't think bongos would be too difficult. If you don't like the lathe idea ... hammers, wood chisels, and patience will work!
And, as with djembe s, I presume a thinner shell will give you more volume.
Finally, remember to take lots of pictures and make an instructable!
i don't have a chainsaw...how would you suggest i best hollow out the log?
I'm from South Africa - I played in my High-School Marimba band for about 4 years, and nothing beats tapping out a good rhythm on a hand-carved Djembe with your friends playing marimba around you.
I don't think I would have the willpower/energy to make my own Djembe, but this is a cool instructable!
Health and Safety brigade here - if you're doing this kind of fine work make sure you use a new chain and don't wear jeans - wear chainsaw safety trousers! Or alternatively don't use a chainsaw! Working in a job where we fell a lot of trees I'd really recommend you don't unless you've got a lot of experience with one.
Great ible though! I love the finished product - we've got about 2,500 trees coming down in feb (Before the bird nesting season) and I'm tempted to ask for a chunk. I can probably do this with a hand chisel though rather than a chainsaw! :D
I would recommend (request) that you put the knotting instructions here on instructables - if those websites go down, there will be no record of how to do those steps. Perhaps request from the author of the website permission to repost their instructions verbatim (with copyright notice, image watermarks etc.)
That's an intense project! How many hours did you put into that?