How to Tune Your Djembe
Shaw Percussion has learned a lot about tuning djembes after over 17 years of building and repairing drums. The picture here is just part of one shipment from Africa, and yes, all of these drums needed tuning. In this short 6:46-minute video, Phil Shaw demonstrates the difference between an out-of-tune and in-tune drum. Then Phil shows how to tune a rope-tuned drum using the locked method of tying the Mali weave. Watch this quick start djembe tuning video for an excellent tip on quickly popping your drum back into tune and more simple tuning techniques.
Here are two more in-depth videos that show the unlocked method and go into more detail on the parts of a djembe drum, starting with the second row and more tuning techniques and tips.