Avoid These 2 Most Common Mistakes

I just broke down the two most common mistakes I see djembe players make—and trust me, after countless lessons, these eat up 90% of my coaching time. Fix 'em, and your playing transforms overnight.

1. Lifting hands too high: This kills your energy, makes quiet strokes impossible, and looks off. Keep 'em low—hover just above the head for bass, glued to the rim for slaps. I showed you the difference: high hands = exhaustion; low hands = endless groove.
2. Idle hand floating away: Don't let your non-striking hand wander. Rest it on the rim—clears space, conserves strength, and lets you drop ghosts or mutes anytime. Lift only when you strike; it's faster, cleaner.

These aren't minor tweaks within African drum lessons; they're foundational. Nail 'em early, and rhythms flow effortlessly.

Questions? Drop 'em below. Ready to crush these and level up? Courses are live at djembemaster.com. Play smart, not hard.