Nothing says more about African music than percussion instruments. It is the common theme in all special events in an African community . During the old times, African music was used to bring African people together, they often held social gathering, social meetings and ritual events. Since participation is important in the community, they would play percussion instruments, the most rhythmic musical instruments in any part of the community. Below are just some of the most common African percussion instruments.
The Djembe Drum
The djembe is a drum which uses an animal skin covered head. The djembe drum has a thicker top half coupled with a thinner lower half making the drum resemble a goblet. The body is usually made from an echoing log to create various acoustics. The head is tightened with the use of ropes although, nowadays, some makers use steel hoops, nylon core ropes, and rubbers when tightening and tuning the drum. Djembe is , oftentimes, the main piece of the percussion section. The djemebe drum has varying tones and tunes depending upon the size of the instrument. A drummer would usually strike the head with his fingers or hands to create various sounds.
Udu
Loosely translated, "udu" means vessel in the African language and it is usually made of clay. This former drinking vessel produces sound courtesy of its extra hole located in its body. The sound it creates can be likened to that produced by a glass bottle. In order to play the udu, your one hand has to cover the top hole while your other hand partially covers the other hole. This will then create a wide range of different tones.
Slit Drums
Slit drums is another common percussion instrument in Africa. It is usually made up of hollowed wood or carved wood which allows it to produce a sound. These drums can be made of logs or bamboo. Drums and mallets are, oftentimes, used to strike the drum in order to produce a sound. Just like udu, the slit drum also produces a rainbow of tones.
Double Bells
When two metallic bells are combined in a horseshoe fashion, you get what is known as Double Bells. In order to produce a sound, mallets are used. In the African percussion instruments, double bells are the ones that mark measures and keep the pace for the other percussion players.
Aside from these four, other percussion instruments widely used by the Africans hand-shakers, wooden xylophones, and lamellophones (finger pianos).
The Djembe Drum
The djembe is a drum which uses an animal skin covered head. The djembe drum has a thicker top half coupled with a thinner lower half making the drum resemble a goblet. The body is usually made from an echoing log to create various acoustics. The head is tightened with the use of ropes although, nowadays, some makers use steel hoops, nylon core ropes, and rubbers when tightening and tuning the drum. Djembe is , oftentimes, the main piece of the percussion section. The djemebe drum has varying tones and tunes depending upon the size of the instrument. A drummer would usually strike the head with his fingers or hands to create various sounds.
Udu
Loosely translated, "udu" means vessel in the African language and it is usually made of clay. This former drinking vessel produces sound courtesy of its extra hole located in its body. The sound it creates can be likened to that produced by a glass bottle. In order to play the udu, your one hand has to cover the top hole while your other hand partially covers the other hole. This will then create a wide range of different tones.
Slit Drums
Slit drums is another common percussion instrument in Africa. It is usually made up of hollowed wood or carved wood which allows it to produce a sound. These drums can be made of logs or bamboo. Drums and mallets are, oftentimes, used to strike the drum in order to produce a sound. Just like udu, the slit drum also produces a rainbow of tones.
Double Bells
When two metallic bells are combined in a horseshoe fashion, you get what is known as Double Bells. In order to produce a sound, mallets are used. In the African percussion instruments, double bells are the ones that mark measures and keep the pace for the other percussion players.
Aside from these four, other percussion instruments widely used by the Africans hand-shakers, wooden xylophones, and lamellophones (finger pianos).
About the Author:
The djembe drum is a particularly popular African instrument which is regularly used in music lessons in schools, drumming circles and music groups.