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.