How to Care for Your Djembe Drum

You put thought and effort into finding the right djembe for your needs. Now you have your djembe drum you’ll need to know how to care for it. There are certain ways to care for your djembe including getting a djembe bag to transport your drum in and also regular maintenance of the skin.

Your drum will need to be stored somewhere when it’s not in use so it does not get unnecessarily damaged. The skin is the most important part of the drum to care for, if the drum is not to be used for a while it is beneficial to loosen it. By detuning the drum it gives the skin a break and will extend its life. It may also extend the life of the drum head itself as much as fifty percent.

The drum skin will also benefit from to the odd rubdown. As the skin dries, rubbing it with a light coating of oil or lotion on the skin will help to rehydrate it. Hydrated skin is happy skin, and this occasional spa treatment will keep your djembe sounding – and looking – youthful. It is a good idea to do a test patch of the oil or lotion in an inconspicuous area before applying to the total drum skin. This type of treatment will not benefit drums with synthetic skins, only those with natural skins.

It is helpful to store your drum in a cool, dry place. Always make sure your djembe is kept our of direct sunlight as this can make the skin go brittle and crack. If your djembe drum is exposed to any moisture it may go mouldy or rot. You will not make many friends at the drum circle if you show up with a foul-smelling, mouldy drum.

Getting a djembe bag is a wise investment and well worth the cost. A properly fitted, padded bag will protect your drum during storage and transport. Your djembe will most likely get damaged during transit. A padded bag will offer the most protection for your drum, however cloth bags are available for the musician on the budget. To provide the most protection the drum should fit snuggly in the djembe bag. An ill fitting bag will not provide as much protection to your djembe.

Caring for your djembe should be a regular habit. If you look after your djembe it will be with you for many years to come.