Measuring Rope

Verticals
Multiplying the number of loops on one ring by 2 gives the number of verticals the drum will have. Measure from the top of the drum to where the bottom ring sits and add 2”. Multiply this sum by the number of verticals and then divide by 12. This is the amount of feet of rope needed to string verticals.

Loops

Normally loops are spaced about 2 finger widths apart (1¼“). Rope for the top ring is 4 times the circumference of the ring. It is 5 ¼ times the circumference of the bottom ring.

tank drums

We now have two tank drums available. They have a bright red powder coat. One is tuned to pentatonic C and the other is dulcimer tuned. They sell for $250. You must call or email us about these fabulous tanks drums as they are not on our shopping cart. 800-549-3966 shorty@goatskins.com. You can see one being played on www.goatskins.com

Up Coming Events

DD&S includes and Upcoming Events column in the newsletter. We like to keep our customers informed of events that go on around the country and we like to help our customers by including their events. We will even send event fliers out in our packages if the customer will provide us with the material. Everyone needs to remember that if you are planning to attend an event you really should check it out before you go. We cannot always know all of the details about any given event and one we may enjoy another may not. Its a matter of taste and interest. So always check out an event of interest by checking the events' website, calling the promoters or talking to others who have gone to it in the past.

Ghana Djembe Shipment

We have a new shipment of small Ghana djembes coming in next week. These drums are great for traveling,small people, and fleets. They are made of tweenaboa wood, and they sound very good.We even have small Kente bags to fit them. You can see pictures of the bags on our latest newsletter and the small Ghana djembes on the website www.goatskins.com

DD&S newsletter - Drum Circle Etiquette

The newsletter went out this week. We've had a great response from it. One of the things that we've noticed is that a lot of readers clicked on the interview with Dragon Bob about drum circle etiquette. Seems like its an important topic. Any input? The newsletter is now linked to the website so if you did not receive one you can go check it out yourself. There is a place on www.goatskins.com to sign up for the next newsletter.

Paralounge

Hey everyone going to Paralounge, we are packing up to go to Fl and Paralounge. We will be bringing djembes, skins, djuns, and other stuff. Hope to see you there. We are bringing special request items too. Call or email if there is something you would like us to bring with us. www.goatskins.com

Djembe Shells from Guinea

We just received 4 djembe shells from Guinea. They are being sold on a first come first serve bases. They are $180.00 each and if you want the rim shaped and the rings it will be an additional $20.00. Please call, 800-549-3966 they are not on the shopping cart. The shells will go fast. Check them out on www.goatskins.com or Facebook.
We also received 50 Guinea goatskins with hair, they are now on the shopping cart.These skins are very nice. www.goatskins.com

Ghana Shipment

The latest shipment from Ghana came in last week. We've already sold many of the regular sized djembes. There's still a few left. We got new mud cloth drum head covers. These are very nice for protecting the drum head while traveling. We also received Kente bags for talking drums. They are made of colorful cotton fabric. More djun sets came in too. We're still trying to get the pictures up. Have to take them first though. Keep watching the website www.goatskins.com and facebook for the pictures.

Next Ivory Coast Shipment

The next container is now loaded with more djembes, djembe shells, djun sets, goatskins and more. It will be setting sail soon. We expect it in late September. Estimated time of arrival is 9/25/09. Keep an eye on www.goatskins.com for more news about the container.

DD&S still has plenty of beautifully carved regular sized djembes and djembe shells in stock. There are also plenty of hides and skins.

More New Stuff from Ghana

Shorty just handed me the list of things coming in from Ghana tomorrow. We are getting talking drum cases and handcrafted wood djembe necklaces as well as 4 sets of djun djuns, fullsized djembes, and cascas (percussion instruments). We will do our best to get these items on the website www.goatskins.com . if you can't find them call 800-549-3966 or email shorty@goatskins.com.

New Drums Coming from Ghana

WE have a new shipment of regular sized djembes, Kente drum bags, and mudcloth drum head covers coming in from Ghana next week. Watch the website www.goatskins.com and Djembe Drums and Skins on facebook for more information and pictures!

Small Djembes

Djembe Drums & Skins, Inc has a new shipment of small djembes from Ghana. These djembes are very popular because they are lightweight and easy to carry around. They sound pretty good too. You can view and buy them at our website www.goatskins.com.

Guinea Shipment

The shipment from Guinea came too. Djembe Drums & Skins now has krins in stock. We also have new cowhide from Guinea and some djembe shells. Call Shorty if you are interested in them. www.goatskins.com

New Stuff From Ghana

We just received lightweight djuns and djembes from Ghana. The small djembes have mostly been sold. Still have a few left though. Three Djun djun sets left. We also got more of the Ghana Djun sticks. The Ghana Djuns are $600.00 for the set and of course come with bells and sticks. The small djembes are $90. The sticks are $7.00 each or 3 for $20.00. www.goatskins.com.

New Shipments this week

Shorty is just freaking out because we have djembes coming from Ghana, krins and djembes coming from Guinea, and percussion instruments coming from Pakistan all this week. Stay tuned for more information and pictures. www.goatskins.com

Drums for A Cure

Sandy and I support drumstrong...DrumsFor Cures. Check out the site http://drumstrong.org for information on the world's longest drum circle on May 16th and 17th. Drummers will get together and drum in an attempt to break the planet's record for the longest continuous rhythm drum circle and to raise funds for and awareness of cancer research. We will be attending hope to see many of you there too!

http://www.goatskins.com

Paralounge

We are preparing to go to Paralounge. Yes there was flooding in the area, but not to worry Clint Tipton has a contingency plan and all should be well. Check the Paralounge site http://www.paralounge.net for updates.

Remember that you can purchase a drum kit in advance of Paralounge and then put it together there with Shorty's guidance. Call us 800-549-3966 before Wednesday morning if you want to buy a kit. We'll be leaving around noon on Wednesday.

http://www.goatskins.com

News About Us

We just got back from a family reunion in FL. It was cool to be with each other but hot there. Glad to be back at home. WE have another shipment of djembes from Ghana on the way. They should be here in a week. The Ghana djembes are very popular and sell quickly. WE are also planning to go to Paralounge for the weekend of April 24 - 26, 2009. I'm trying to get a cargo van so that we can bring the big drums too. If you'd like to put together your own djembe you can purchase a kit from DD&S and put it together while at Paralounge under Shorty's direction. Call 800-549-3966 or email Shorty@goatskins.com. Hope to see you all soon at Paralounge. www.goatskins.com

 

Marchshipment News

Sunday, Djembe Drums & Skins sent out a special flyer via email. The flyer shows some of the products we received this month from the Ivory Coast and Ghana. The djembes are beautiful with very nice carvings. If you would like to see the flyer and are not on our list you can send us an email and let us know. We will have a link to it from the website very soon. www.goatskins.com

Please note that the percussion page had a mistake in the address. It can now be opened by clicking on the link in the flyer.  Oops.  

Lastly we apologize for all of the junk mail that gets attached to our blog. We try to keep it off but sometimes it sneaks back onto the site. Just ignore it. Thanks!

Ivory Coast Shipment is Here

The container arrived early this morning. Yes, it was rainy and sleeting. Cold too. With the help of many friends we were able to get the goods off the truck and into the storage sheds in about 3 hours. Not bad. DD&S will send out an information flyer early next week. The djembes have wonderfully carved bases. There are several good looking bougaraboos and djun sets. There were also cow hides and goatskins. Everything looks good. Photos have been posted on our facebook pages. www.goatskins.com

Ivory Coast Container

It is in Charleston, SC and will be in Seymour, TN tomorrow morning! Hurray. Sometimes it takes a lot of patience to deal with the shipping company. Watch the website www.goatskins.com for the announcement and photos. We will also send out a flyer via email letting you know what's new.

Ghana Shipment

The Ghana shipment is in! We now have several more Ghana djembes - regular and small size. Check them out on the website www.goatskins.com.

 

New Shipments

Two new shipments are almost here. Ghana - Small and regular djembes and congas. Shorty is picking these up today.

Ivory Coast - Djembes, boogaraboos, and skins. The container made it to Savannah where it has been held up by the shipping company and customs. Hope to have it here at the shop by Thursday. Volunteers are needed to help unload it.

We will have pictures on the website www.goatskins.com.

Copyright

We are excited that our DVD, How to Re-Head a Djembe, just received its copyright from the US government. We are celebrating by creating a delux kit that includes a djembe shell, rope, skin, rings and the dvd, How to Re-Head a Djembe. It costs $160.00. www.goatskins.com

Tank Drums

Clint just finished 3 new tank drums. They are sold and more are in production. These drums sound like chimes, can be tuned to your specs. They are made out of recycled propane tanks. Call me 800-549-3966 or email shorty@goatskins.com. I have a link to me playing one on YouTube at www.goatskins.com.

February Container

We at www.goatskins.com  are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next container. It's under sail in the Atlantic and should be here within the next couple of weeks. We will send out an email flyer announcing its arrival. Let us know if you would like to help unload it. 800-549-3966.

It is very exciting to unload a container. Yes, it takes physical work, however it is so cool to cut the lock and be the first to see the contents. Obvioulsy helpers get first dibs on buying and we give fabulous deals to those who help.

This week at www.goatskins.com - February 9th, 2009

It's been another interesting week at http://www.goatskins.com. We went to Charlotte for the Not So Silent Auction presented by www.drumstrong.org.  The music was fabulous. Their next event will be "the mother of all drum circles" a drum-a-thon on May 16th and 17th. It's all about raising money for and awareness of childhood cancer.

Then it was Shorty's birthday. He worked hard all day and then relaxed with a few old friends.

Today Shorty went to a place to pick-up recycled propane tanks. Clint and Shorty plan to be very busy making them into tank drums. They will come in different keys and different colors. Very exciting.

Not So Silent Auction

Sandy and I are heading to Charlotte, NC to attend the "Not So Silent Auction" presented by Drums for the Cure. Djembe Drums & Skins, www.goatskins.com donated a djembe to this fundraising event for the Levine Children's Hospital. So we decided to go paricipate. Check it out and www.drumstrong.org.

Ghana

We just received some new conga shells and some new mudcloth drum head covers that are lined. All are from Ghana. The conga shells are sturdy and nicely done. The drum head covers look good too. We asked for the lining because many people request it. We still have the unlined as well. The lined covers are large.

Facebook

We just started a facebook page. Look for Djembe Drums & Skins on facebook.

New shipment from Ghana

We should be receiving a new shipment from Ghana next week. We are getting djuns, congas, and mudcloth drum head covers.

Bruce Gosey

We learned that Bruce passed away yesterday. He was a good friend and had a big drumming heart. We will miss him.

Winter Special

We are giving out a free DVD with the purchase of a drum kit.  We do have to limit this to one per customer and the offer expires at the end of February 2009.

Its a good DVD and very helpful when you are putting together your own drum. Here is a favorable review from a recent customer: "Watching your instructional video again was a pleasure. Thanks a lot for the quality that you bring to your endeavors."

Interview with Arthur Hull

Sandy sent Arthur a few interview questions. He responded to them and plus gave us more information. The partial interview is in our Winter Newsletter. The rest can be read at www.goatskins.com/Arthur.htm. He discusses drum facilitation and includes some interesting stories and good ideas.

Shorty's Latest Tip - Pulling Verticals

Tip:Don’t Be Greedy Don't get greedy when pulling a wet head. I say this because when  you do get greedy you will more then likely end up with the rings crooked. My goal when putting on a head is not to see how tight I can get it but to keep the rings level. You do this by going around a wet drum multiple times. The first 2-4 times I go around all I am doing is pulling the slack out without putting any pressure on the rings. It comes down in this process but not significantly. Once the rope starts to get a little tight you can start working it down. When going around I try to leave the ring up a little high at the start by the loop (or tie off point if you use that method). That way when you come back around you try to have a slope down  on the ring in both directions from the starting point. When you pull it at this point it comes into level.  Remember that when you are pulling the ring down, it will move ahead of where you are pulling and behind where you are pulling so you have to think ahead and not pull down completely when it is high where you are pulling, go down several verticals and pull there and what you left high behind will come down.

Tank Drum

We added a clip of Shorty playing the tank drum to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vINkVD2bAF0. These unique drums are available by special order. They have 9 notes and come in different keys. They sound amazing!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Thank-you for doing business with us. We hope to continue to do business with you for many more years to come.  My main goal is to provide you with quality service at reasonable prices.
    The Ivory Coast October container was full of beautifully carved djembes and nice djun sets. We received a shipment of regular and small djembes and new percussion instruments from Ghana in December. These items are available at goatskins.com or give us a call.
     Sandy and I created a page of the percussion instruments and drumming accessories that we sell at drum shows and other gatherings. The page is still under construction but most is there. These are not on the shopping cart yet. Just call to order.
     My friend Clint Bach and I are having lots fun building new drums . First Clint made tank drums with mesmerizing sounds. He can tune them to your specs. Just give me a call and I'll hook you up with one. We took Clint to Paralounge where he became enchanted by the deep voices of the Taiko drums. Upon returning home he immediately built a big taiko class drum. You can see me playing it on youtube. Playing this drum is addictive.
     A new container is expected in February. We will send a flyer announcing it's arrival. If you have any special requests for items from the Ivory Coast, now is the time to let me know because the carvers are already busy loading the container.
     Remember, if you are a music teacher or retail store let me know. I will be happy to talk to about discount pricing and teacher discounts.