DJEMBE-L FAQ Posture, v4b 01/09/05

An email compilation from the members of Djembe-L
Opened 5-29-99

QUESTION:  What is the best posture for playing djembe?
If one were sitting, is there a certain type of chair to sit in? Does one  sit at the back, middle or front of the chair? How does one sit in that chair, i.e., straight back or slouched?
 
 When sitting or standing is it recommended to be bare-footed when playing
 djembe?
 
 Does it matter if the djembe is angled away from the body?  Should the
 djembe be tilted outward, or played flat, or does it matter? Can the djembe
 sit flat on the ground and be played?

ANSWERS, from the members of DJEMBE-L:

From: "knitty" <knitty@clara.net>

One of the classes I've been attending lately saw everyone sitting very balletically (?), poised on the edge of their chairs, djembes tipped slightly away. By the end of the evening, we were doing it so differently - our Gambian teacher had us playing so hard that muscle fatigue really kicked in, and he suggested that you move your djembe however you can to keep up the rhythm when your muscles knot up. I've seen him play this way many times, and the sound is always great. I think the music takes over once you accept the discomfort and keep on playing.

Amanda
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From: MRKWILDER@aol.com
Dear Happy,
Why don't you try sitting in a very tall director's chair - all the way back - playing the djembe while it is lying flat on the ground, with your back slouched. Let us all know how it goes and if you come up with any insights and/or suggestions on your own.

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Barkman <smalltime_2000@yahoo.com> writes:
>
> My guess would be one that enables you to relax and  breathe. Feet grounded to the earth.  Although I tend  to march in place sometimes when standing.
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From: "John Walter" <jwalter@freenet.co.uk>

Happy asks:

>So, if one was sitting, is there a certain type of chair to sit  in? Does one
> sit at the back, middle or front of the chair?

Any chair with your buttocks right on the edge

>How does one sit in that  chair, i.e., straight back or slouched?

Straight backed

> Does it matter if the djembe is angled away from the body?  Should the
> djembe be tilted outward, or played flat, or does it matter?

It has to be angled away from the baody or you damage your wrists, tilted
outwards.

Can  the djembe  sit flat on the ground and be played?

NO  you'll pop it.

Children can lie them down on the ground and sit on top of them.

John
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From: congasan@webtv.net (jerry z)

     As for posture, My view is that the arms and hands need to be in the most comfortable and efficient position possible for playing. I recently aquired a djembe 2 inches shorter to accomplish this. Besides, it is a sweet drum that I could not pass up. Anyway, the arms and hands are most important - everything else will have to adapt. I have almost as many opinions as you have questions.

   JZ
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From: earthrhy@ptd.net (mark seaman)

First let me recommend "The Drummers Path" by Sule Greg Wilson - should be
required reading...he goes into posture quite well on djembe as well as conga and the energy related. My experience is that the traditional way suits best: knees bent(if strapped up), bent at the waist,not the lower back, back straight, head up...if seated, butt up to the edge of the chair, back straight, chair high enough or low enough to play without having to hold arms up above the drum...so the hands and arms can come down relaxed with their own weight. This facilitates playing from your energy center(diaphraghm) instead of just the arms and upper body.

Thoeretically, there should be no discomfort or muscles knotting up - my teacher attribute this (and i agree) to tense hands - hands especially the palms should be loose and relaxed otherwise tension rises up the arms to the shoulders and then you've had it...relax the hands and palms. Always pull the energy and sounds out of the drum and up - and with a straight back so energy can flow. Ase

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From: Denis Robinson <dj.robinson@auckland.ac.nz>  

>What is the best posture for playing djembe?

Based on watching performance videos, I'd have to guess that it's standing half-crouched on one foot, with the other leg raised and the toe hooked over the base of the drum!

Slightly more seriously, based on the same sources, perhaps it is in a deep crouch with the drum laid almost flat on the floor so that the drum head is almost vertical and facing towards the audience?

Somewhat more seriously still, I remember Epizo Bangoura telling me (firmly!): do not distort your body round the drum! (He was telling me to sit up straight and not hunch over.)

I also *seem* to remember (this one's a bit hazier) him telling a group I was in: when sitting down to play, for a long spell, don't jig around in your seat excessively and "dance" to the music: you'll use up a lot of energy better saved for actually playing the drum.
....Cheers, Denis
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From: "JEFF HIGHLAND" <jkhigh@rivernet.com.au>

Hi Happy and all,
My two cents on posture.
Head must be up and spine straight for Biomechanics,Energy Flow (I endorse
mark seaman's recommendation of Sule Greg Wilsons' Book) and also for
Awareness of what is going on around you with other drummers, dancers and
the total environment. Try Visualising a skyhook attached to the crown of
your head gently lifting upwards.

Position on the chair if seated will be forward. Forget any notion of the
chair back providing "back support" , thats what your spinal muscles are
for.

The height (relative to You) and tilt of the drum head should be such that
Your arms are relaxed and at the moment of hand to skin contact yor wrist is
straight, not cocked or limp. If the drum head is horizontal not tilted away
your wrists will be cocked at impact and the range of wrist movement needed
for a slap will be restricted.If the chair is too low you are also
restricted.

This is what I aim for but don't always achieve.
Peace,
Jeff Highland

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From: "R Clark" <clark@acceleration.net>

Hail JEFF HIGHLAND<jkhigh@rivernet.com.au> and ALL,

Jeff writes:
<agreed with and snipped for clarity>

>Try Visualising a skyhook attached to the crown of
>your head gently lifting upwards.

<agreed with and wish to add>

And as they taught in the one TaiChi Chuan class I went to "...from the top
of the head... a cord attached to Heaven drawing upward and from the
tailbone a cord attached to Earth drawing downward.... knees bent, the spine
gradually straightened between these opposing forces."

{aside: then the 'sen-say' started a rap about how this artform I thot peaceful and more dance-like than martial, could be used to trash bozoes....
that's where I tuned out and dropped the class}

I hope this helps.

Drumming for Peace, ®

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From: "Paul Marshall" <paul@powerhaus.freeserve.co.uk>

>Children can lie them down on the ground and sit on top of them.
>
Adults can play in this position  too.  My preferred floor kit position is to straddle the drum without actually resting on it, It allows me to move to and from the drum in a smoother fashion as I am not required to use my hands to position the instrument and it also allows me to integrate the drum into an ongoring pattern.  Furthermore, in this position, sound engineers can position a mike appropriately and be reasonably certain that it will remain so positioned.

If I keep putting in 2c worth, what do I get when I reach a dollar?

Paul Marshall
Percussive Arts Performer, Percussionist, Reiki Master Performer


Also view Beginner's Path, FAST START for more info.