

Explore expressive percussion traditions with Djembes & Talking Drums at Andertons Music Co. With roots in West African musical cultures, these distinctive drums offer a huge range of rhythmic and tonal possibilities. From the deep bass and sharp slap tones of a djembe to the pitch-changing response of a talking drum, they're ideal for percussionists looking to introduce new sounds, techniques and textures to their playing.
The djembe is a goblet-shaped hand drum capable of producing an impressive range of sounds from a single instrument. Striking different areas of the drumhead with different hand techniques can create deep bass notes, open tones and bright, cutting slaps. Djembes are available in different sizes, materials and constructions, making them suitable for everything from beginners exploring hand percussion to experienced players performing as part of a percussion ensemble.
Talking drums offer a very different playing experience. Traditionally played with a curved beater, their distinctive hourglass-shaped construction uses tension cords connecting the drumheads. Squeezing these cords while playing changes the tension of the heads and therefore the pitch, allowing the drummer to create expressive pitch bends and rhythmic phrases associated with the instrument's long musical and communicative traditions in West Africa.
Whether you're discovering hand percussion for the first time or adding another distinctive voice to an established setup, explore Djembes & Talking Drums at Andertons Music Co. Discover instruments and percussion accessories from brands including TOCA, Meinl, LP, Meinl Sonic Energy and Gibraltar, with options suited to beginners, experienced percussionists, recording and live performance. You can also browse our wider Percussion range to discover even more rhythmic sounds and instruments.