Djembe Size: Why It Matters

Djembe drums can come in many sizes from a 12" x 8" mini djembe right up to those with a 14" head and booming bass. Due to all of the size options available, it can be overwhelming knowing which drum to choose based on material and construction alone without having to worry about the proper size. Knowing the correct size right away will eliminate some of the guesswork from your buying experience. 

The size of the djembe will affect the most important aspects of the playing experience including comfort and sound. With regards to comfort, it's a good idea to keep the following in mind: in a seated position, the djembe should be held between the knees with the drum head about 2-3 inches above your legs. The drum base should be lifted slightly off the ground so the sound can project outward (a djembe with its base on the ground with the hole covered will have muffled bass). Many adult players find that a drum that measures 23"-24" tall with an 11"-12" playing surface is the drum most conducive for playing in this position comfortably. 

Aside from playing position comfort, the djembe head size will also affect the sound. Generally speaking, you can compare the head size to a sub woofer in that the larger the head diameter, the more bass output. However, this is not to say that you should go out and grab the djembe with the largest head diameter you can find, as djembes with monster head diameters also tend to have more overtones and you'll be sacrificing those crisp slap and rim tones for more than average bass (ideally a djembe should have a good blend of both). You will also be making a huge mistake going with the smallest, cheapest djembe you can find and expecting to become an excellent player in no time. Trying to learn on a djembe that is too small for you will have a direct affect on the progression of your playing skills. Your hands should not be like shovels on a paper plate; they need room to explore so you can learn the proper technique as well as the various sounds your djembe is capable of making!