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Djembe Lessons Online 2024

Whether you want to learn how to play djembe or advance your skillset, an online course is ideal. There are offerings for all skill levels and budgets, and it takes just a few minutes to enroll. 

Ready to get started? Let us help you find the perfect course to jumpstart your journey. 

The Best Online Djembe Lessons Highlighted

What to Look for in a Djembe Course?

Wondering how to choose the best djembe course? Look for offerings that meet these criteria. 

1. Taught by an Experienced Drummer

The teacher doesn’t need to be a full-time, professional percussionist. But they should be experienced enough to show you how to play djembe in a way that’s easy to understand. 

2. Includes Live Demonstrations 

Live demonstrations are the most ideal way to pick up on the mechanics of djembe drumming. You can watch the instructor and follow along as you feel more comfortable. 

3. Self-Paced 

Don’t rush through a course that teaches you how to play djembe. Choose a self-paced option that allows you to learn when it’s convenient for you. 

Our Top Picks

We analyzed several course options to bring you our top picks. They are from leading online learning providers, Skillshare, Udemy, and YouTube.

Below, you will find the classes categorized by skill level – beginners, intermediate students, and advanced students. There’s also a description and price point for each course to make the decision-making process easy for you. 

How to Play Djembe for Beginners

Consider these beginner djembe courses to get your feet wet. 

1. How to Play the Djembe: For Beginners by Udemy 

How to Play the Djembe: For Beginners by Udemy
How to Play the Djembe: For Beginners by Udemy 
  • Who it’s for: Beginners
  • Price: On Sale, regular price $29.99

This introductory course from Udemy teaches the basics of djembe in a fun-filled way. Led by professional drummer Larry Crowe, it includes 19 lectures condensed into 1 hour of on-demand video and 1 downloadable resource. Lessons cover playing positions, the bass and open tone, basic patterns and more. 

2. Djembe Drumming Patterns for Beginners | African Drums by Howcast

  • Who it’s for: Beginners 
  • Price: Free

Offered by Howcast, this brief YouTube tutorial dives into drumming patterns for djembe beginners. It takes less than 5 minutes to fully grasp what’s being taught and implement it into your drumming regimen. 

Get this course. 

3. How to Play Drum and Rhythm and Teach Children – Level 1 by Udemy

How to Play Drum and Rhythm and Teach Children - Level 1
How to Play Drum and Rhythm and Teach Children – Level 1
  • Who it’s for: Beginners
  • Price: On Sale, regular price $64.99

How would you like to learn how to play djembe and teach your children to do the same? Look no further than this introductory course to lend a helping hand. It is taught by musical storyteller, Kouame Sereba, and includes 2 hours of on-demand video lessons, 13 minutes of on-demand audio and 5 downloadable resources.

You will also receive a certificate of completion when you finish the course. 

Intermediate Level Djembe Courses

These classes are the perfect segway into more advanced djembe drumming techniques.

4. 3 Essential Djembe/Hand Drum Rhythms for Beginner/Intermediate Level Players by the Didge Project

3 Essential Djembe/Hand Drum Rhythms for Beginner/Intermediate Level Players by the Didge Project
3 Essential Djembe/Hand Drum Rhythms for Beginner/Intermediate Level Players
  • Who it’s for: Intermediate students 
  • Price: Free

Offered by the Didge Project, this YouTube tutorial teaches 3 djembe rhythms that will enhance your drumming skills. It spans a little over 12 minutes and covers tresillo, basic hip-hop and African.

You should be comfortable playing djembe drums before you watch the video lesson. 

5. How to Build a Professional Djembe: Create Music Beauty and Biz by Udemy

How to Build a Professional Djembe: Create Music Beauty and Biz
How to Build a Professional Djembe: Create Music Beauty and Biz
  • Who it’s for: Intermediate students 
  • Price: On Sale, regular price $49.99

Interested in learning how to build djembe drums? This course is the perfect fit. Enroll today for instant access to 35 lectures condensed into 2.5 hours of on-demand video and 1 article. Beyond instruction on how to assemble the drums, you will also learn how to lay the foundation for a successful drum business.

The course also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.

6. How to Play Djembe, Drums and Rhythm – Level 2 by Udemy 

How to Play Djembe, Drums and Rhythm - Level 2
How to Play Djembe, Drums and Rhythm – Level 2
  • Who it’s for: Intermediate students
  • Price: On Sale, regular price $64.99

This intermediate course is the second part of the series from Kouame Sereba. It builds off the concepts introduced in the first course to explore jam sections, drum meditations and strategies to deepen sounds. Register today for full lifetime access to 2 hours of on-demand video, 12 minutes of on-demand audio and 2 downloadable resources.

When you reach the finish line, you will know how to play djembe drums with confidence. 

Advanced Djembe Courses

Seeking higher-level djembe drumming knowledge? You will find these courses useful.

7. References Djembe Guru Featuring Fara Tolno

References Djembe Guru Featuring Fara Tolno
References Djembe Guru Featuring Fara Tolno

Join Fara Tolno in the References portion of his series on djembe to learn advanced techniques through video lessons. Tolno offers course previews to some of his lessons on Youtube and even offers a 7-day free trial on his website.

Tolno brings his knowledge from traditional playing in Les Merveilles de Guinea Africa to students all over the world and is one of the most sought after djembe players.

Get this course.

 8. More Advanced African Drumming (Djembe) Lesson Part 2a & 2b by Jason Horsler

  • Who’s it for: Advanced
  • Price: Free

Part 2a is a 10-minute video lesson that introduces beats instructor Jason Horsler teaches to students in his in-person classes. You can follow along to master his techniques or improvise to make them your own. 

Jason Horsler continues instruction on advanced djembe techniques in video 2b. You can learn and follow along in this 13-minute video lesson.

More Advanced African Drumming (Djembe) Lesson by Jason Horsler Part 2a

Part 2b More advanced African drumming (djembe) lesson

9. Advanced Djembe Drum Solos by Howcast

Advanced Djembe Drum Solos by Howcast
Advanced Djembe Drum Solos
  • Who it’s for: Advanced students 
  • Price: Free

Follow along with master drummer, Mbemba Bengora, as he shows you how to play a djembe drum solo. This video lesson spans a little over 2.5 minutes and is also presented by Howcast. It is ideal for intermediate and advanced drummers. 

Learn to Play Djembe Today!

Give one of our recommended courses a try to master djembe. They’re affordable and instructed by some of the best in the industry, so you won’t be disappointed.