Beginners (and way beyond) djembe exercises
These exercises will improve technique, co-ordination, strength, stamina and quality of sounds you make on your djembe. Your hands and your brain will get used to moving between tones and slaps in various orders and combinations.
The beauty is in their simplicity. Start slowly and a keep the tempo constant.
Aim for clear sounds and expecially for distinction between tones and slaps. Slowly increase the tempo while trying to keep your sounds clear.
These exercises are very good for strengthening your weak hand. In most cases the left hand. You can move between left hand leading and right hand without stopping the pattern by using roulements or flams.
Exercise 1
| B | B | T | T | S | S | T | T | B | B | T | T | S | S | T | T | ||||
| r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l |
Exercise 2
| B | B | S | S | T | T | S | S | B | B | S | S | T | T | S | S | ||||
| r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l |
Exercise 3
| B | B | B | T | T | T | S | S | S | ||||
| r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r |
Exercise 4
| B | B | B | T | T | T | S | S | S | T | T | T | ||||
| r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l |
Exercise 5
| B | B | B | S | S | S | T | T | T | S | S | S | ||||
| r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l | r | l |