African Drum Making Workshops & Djembe Repairs

Djembe Drum Making Classes with Simone

If you are the handy or crafty type, or just plain interested, you can build your own. Anyone can! In West Africa it is known that the djembe has three spirits or energies within it:

• the energy of the goat (which gives it’s skin)

• the energy of the tree (which gives the wood), and

• the energy of the maker - YOU?!

When you build your own drum, not only do you get to customise the look of it, but you literally infuse it with your very own energy.

Simone teaches these sessions to very small groups (max. 3 people) so that you leave with a drum that is as good as if you bought it off the shelf. We set you up with all the goods you need; a drum shell (hand-carved in West Africa), rope and fabric (colour of your choosing), and you get to make a drum that looks exactly as you like - all under expert guidance.

We start with a little sanding and oiling of the shell, followed by wrapping the rings, roping up the drum, then skinning and tightening/tuning. The initial session takes around 3+hrs, with a follow up session of about 30 mins once the skins dries (after approx. 1-2 weeks). You can then bring it back for tuning anytime you like.

These sessions are currently held on the Coffs Coast NSW (location supplied on booking).

Upcoming workshop: Our next drum building date is the 16th of January, 2026 in Woolgoolga. Get in touch with Simone for enquiries or to book a spot.

Djembe Drum Repairs

With over 15 + years experience in drum building, Drummergirl offers an expert repair/rebuild service for your djembe drum ranging from a standard drum tune to a full djembe reskin/re-rope and overhaul. Get in touch with Simone for a quote.