Djembe

The djembe is a high-pitched hand drum from Western Africa. It plays a leading role in an ensemble that often includes multiple djembes and dunduns, as well as shakers and cowbells. The djembe can be played extremely loudly and quickly, so it makes a good instrument for soloing over the rest of an ensemble. The lead djembe player also often calls the breaks or transitions within each song, and plays off the energy of the dancers that the ensemble is meant to accompany.