Your djembe drum is an investment, you have spent both time and money to get it. Now that you have your djembe drum you need to ensure that you look after it so it performs well and lasts a long time. Along with regular maintenance and a djembe bag, your drum should lasts for many years.
When its not in use your drum will need to be stored somewhere safe. 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. The drum skin is under constant tension, so detuning the drum will extend the life of it. Potentially, it could also extend the life of the drum head itself by as much as 50%.
The drum skin will also benefit from to the odd rubdown. By coating the drum skin with a layer of oil or lotion with help to rehydrate it slightly. This treatment will keep your djembe looking good and more importantly, sounding good. Before applying to the whole drum skin, test the oil or lotion in a hidden part to make sure no undesirable discolouration occurs. This type of care is only beneficial to djembes 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. Moisture may result in mould or rot. You will not make many friends at the drum circle if you show up with a foul-smelling, mouldy drum.
Storing and transporting your djembe drum in a djembe bag is wise move, it is well worth investing in a decent bag. A properly fitted, padded bag will protect your drum during storage and transport. While settling your drum into the passenger seat and belting it in may have a similar effect, it may scratch the body and looks less professional. When purchasing a bag be sure to properly measure your drum to insure a snug fit. An ill fitting bag will not provide as much protection to your djembe.
Caring for your djembe should be a regular habit. With the right care and maintenance your djembe drum will last you a lifetime.
In search of a djembe bag to protect your djembe drum? Go to the Djembe Drum Shop at www.djembedrumshop.com to look at their own range of djembe bags as well as to make an online purchase.
