Djembe Drum

Dawne Olson

Djembe Drum

The name djembe (JEM-bay) is taken from the saying “anke dje, anke be” which translates everyone gather together

We grew up with a great appreciation for music in my family. My grandfather played the accordian, guitar, piano, saxaphone and clairinet. My kids all play one instrument or two (Trombone, Saxaphone, Flute, Piano, Drums)
Myself, I play the clarinet (not often though), the piano, and recently trying to learn a little on the djembe drum. At this point I do it more justice photographing it than playing it. It has a warm, earthy primal sound and I love to hear it played well! Still a goal for me to try to learn it!
For more information and a sound sample click here

To hear a song that inspires me to want to learn to play (besides on the steering wheel of my jeep!) click here!

Like a gift from the heavens
It was easy to tell
It was love from above that could save me from hell
She had fire in her soul
It was easy to see
How the devil himself could be pulled out of me
There were drums in the air as she started to dance
Every soul in the room keeping time with their hands and we sang

[Chorus]
A-yo-a-yo-a-yo-a
And the voices rang like the angles sang, singing
A-yo-a-yo-a-yo-a
And we danced on into the night [2x]

Like a piece to the puzzle that falls into place
You could tell how we felt from the look on our faces
We was spinning in circles with the moon in our eyes
No room left to move in between you and I
We forgot where we were and we lost track of time
And we sang to the wind as we danced through the night

Djembe Drum belongs to the following groups:

Buyers R Us..., Just Brown, Live, Love, Dream: , Music Inspired Art (M.I.A) music links/lyrics required and Olympus and Four Thirds Group Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints and Framed Prints
Djembe Drum by Dawne Olson
  • dancinfreakshow

    dancinfreakshow

    This is fabulous Dawne!!! Love it:)

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you very much!

  • Leah Highland

    Leah Highland

    Beautiful detail you’ve captured. very nice.

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks Leah! I appreciate your vist and kind comments on my work today! :0)

  • Jim Caldwell

    Jim Caldwell

    Great shot, Dawne

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Much thanks Jim! xx

  • Yool

    Yool

    What a fantastic capture and its a great intrument !! Good luck on learning to play it !!!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you Mariola! Its her birthday today everyone! Go give her a virtual hug! xo

  • eaglewatcher

    eaglewatcher

    this is a wonderful image!! Love the point of focus!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    thank you Michael… appreciate your visit and supportive remarks!

  • dinghysailor1

    dinghysailor1

    beautifully captured!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks Maggie!!

  • Shell59

    Shell59

    Hey this is a Beautiful shot!! Your talented perspective
    ceases not to amaze me!! I would have been trying to
    show the skin or something. You didn’t need to!
    ;0)

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks Mike! I took some photographs of it that way as well.. decided to keep the focus on the wood, cords and hair on the drumhead instead. It took me a while to figure out tho!

  • velveteagle

    velveteagle

    This is a great detail shot.. I have no idea at all what it looks like but its a drum like you use your hand or a club to make the noise ? I guess I will have to look it up.. I think it would be cool to play outback when the sun is reaching it early point of rise..

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks for your comment.. it is a hand drum, about 3ft. high and it is played similar to the way a bongo or conga drum is played.

  • EarthGipsy

    EarthGipsy

    Great persepctive Dawne, love the leatherwork especially.

  • richardseah

    richardseah

    Great detailed study. Fine example of Still Life art.

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you for your appraisal… I appreciate your comment.

  • velveteagle

    velveteagle

    Well thank you Dawne… I will have to look it up to see where I can buy one.. I think It would be so cool outside while the wind blows in my face and the view calls my eyes.. Need a soothing drum…

  • Dawne Olson replied

    hint I got mine on Ebay :0)
    I posted a quick link up top by the picture description for you!

  • mikrin

    mikrin

    Wonderful capture Dawne!! I love the textures… Great detail!!!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks Mike….I always admired the artistry in the construction of this drum.

  • velveteagle

    velveteagle

    Ha.. thanks.. I was also looking at amazon..
    http://www.amazon.com/Probali-20X10-Kalamatin-Djembe-Drum/dp/B000TP7LG2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1221177671&sr=8-4
    I will have to read up on your link.. Thank you…

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Probali is a good company :0)

  • NinaMosi Art

    NinaMosi Art

    WOW..Do I love this!!!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks!

  • Angel Perry

    Angel Perry

    Awesome comp!

  • Dawne Olson

    Dawne Olson

    Thanks a bunch Angel!!

  • Lois Bryan

    Lois Bryan

    Gorgeous image, Dawn … so perfectly in focus … outstanding detail!!!!! Excellent lighting!!! Well done!!!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you ALWAYS for your very enthusastic and supportive remarks! xx

  • Peacefulwarrior

    Peacefulwarrior

    VERY NICE…..

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks for dropping in and commenting!

  • brian pendrey

    brian pendrey

    nice work

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you!

  • DesImages

    DesImages

    The detail is so clear, the textures in this are just superb.

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you ! Your appraisal is much appreciated!

  • Di Jenkins

    Di Jenkins

    Wonderful clarity & texture!! Love it!

  • DALE CRUM

    DALE CRUM

    Yes, yes, yes, I’ve been at one with my Djembes for many years now-looooove to play them and-I even make my own too! They have such a great range (once you figure out how) from the sound of the human heart-the flutter of a dove’s wing—to the thunder of the Great Elephant stomp!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    That is SO inspiring! Thank you Dale!!!

  • jlynn

    jlynn

    Fantastic image!!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you so very much!

  • kenspics

    kenspics

    Beautifully photographed!!
    I love the earthy colors, the wonderful textures, and the very sharp detail you have captured here!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks a lot! (Those are all the things I love about it as well!)

  • Joanne Bradley

    Joanne Bradley

    Excellent closeup! I love the warm colors!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks Joanne…I always appreciate your comments.

  • GerryMac

    GerryMac

    stunning composition! fantastic detail and textures!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    THanks a lot!! Really appreciate your comments!

  • linaji

    linaji

    Dawne.. I love your work.. subtle yet vibrant.. the subject matter.. a bit zen yet.. full of feelings.. very hard line to treck.. but it is like you invented it.. Bravo on all your work.. fav as well as a few more.. I like to fave all at once.. to get a feeling for your work when I look back.. or anyone else does..xox

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Lina, you are a gem… such a joy to receive your comments! Thank you from my heart! xx

  • Paul Stephen Dixon

    Paul Stephen ...

    Great work and very informative description as well as great choice of music Paul :)))))))))

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks Paul! I’m glad you enjoyed your visit!

  • Louella De Guzman

    Louella De Guzman

    nice photo! hehe.. how hairy does it want to be? i’ve never seen a djembe with so much hair but then again i havent seen one made in Africa

  • Louella De Guzman

    Louella De Guzman

    oh btw its a beautiful drum!!! i love the colours and the grooves on the outer shell.

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks for your comments! The hair is a trim around the edge of the skin (it is goat). I suppose it is a band about 1 inch wide and of a circumference of about 24 inches?

  • ANNETTE HAGGER

    ANNETTE HAGGER

    love all the textures in this image, stunning image!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you for your kind remark! I really appreciate your visit!

  • Kerstin Inga

    Kerstin Inga

    Wow i play this! what a fantastic capture of the wood and the weave! really cool shot. love the light here.:-))

  • Kerstin Inga

    Kerstin Inga

    there really is nothing like the feeling you get when your all playing together. the drums was my first instrument. but then later came the djembe. and now about 5 of my friends play it too and each have there own drums. we go camping and play round the fire and like you say, its toally earthy and primal! i just had to tell you this! great shot!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    I’m really so happy you shared that!! That would be the ideal scenario.. playing with other people – being outdoors around a fire at night. I’d love to sit in and watch and listen!

  • Karen Stackpole

    Karen Stackpole

    Very interesting, and the inclusion of a description is great

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thanks Karen! I appreciate all your great comments!

  • Matt Benson

    Matt Benson

    oh i love djembe’s they are so much fun. great shot.

  • Dawne Olson replied

    They are! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments! Much appreciated!

  • cammiecakes

    cammiecakes

    Really wonderful.

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you ;0)

  • Elaine Harriott

    Elaine Harriott

    Excellent perspective!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you for your comment Elaine!

  • chen cohen

    chen cohen

    great shot dawne!!! wonderful!!! beautiful!!!

  • Dawne Olson replied

    Thank you Chen! It has a great sound too… (some things you just can’t get from a photograph!)

  • Mar Silva

    Mar Silva

    Lovely textures and composition!

  • Erwin G. Kotzab

    Erwin G. Kotzab

    Wonderful shot. I like your work and your bubble-site!

  • Maria Moro

    Maria Moro

    Please consider one of your artworks for our challenge Shapes in MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    • only 4 days left to submit
    • Unless you have already submitted.
  • Kim Calvert

    Kim Calvert

    Love this shot, great composition and such amazing detail.

  • Tom Vaughan

    Tom Vaughan

    wonderful, Dawne! I want to reach out and touch it… such clarity and mystery!

  • Maureen Maliha

    Maureen Maliha

    Please consider adding this work to the group
    music of the spirit
    Thanks!

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.