Assess and get your drum ready!

This is the time to make any repairs to your drum, so please consult - What to look for in a Djembe - and inspect your drum first. Decide if you need to do any of these :

Repair the djembe drum shell. (Fix or fill any cracks. Refinish. )
Rework the wood playing edge (If it isn't nice and comfortable round it like your thumb profile.)
Replace worn or low quality rope (If your drum won't stay tuned, this may be the culprit!)
Resize the rings to a better fit. (If the rings are too big this will contribuet to a shortened head life.)

If your djembe drum needs these kind of repairs, the new head result will be limited by the drum's current flaws!

To prepare and remove the existing goat skin head:

First remove all tuning diamonds - Find the end of the rope that has been crossing the vertical ropes and back all that out till you just have vertical rope.

Find and untie the knot that joins the ends your vertical rope. (See Photo)
Back out between 1/4 and 1/3 (of the circumference)of your vertical rope out of the rope cradles at top and bottom (it helps to work from both rope ends a little each way)

Now work the slack into the vertical rope you have left threaded (maybe 2 inches in each rope) enough so the whole top ring can rise up to just above the level of playing surface.

You should now be able to slide the hide ring with the old head out from under the top rope ring, through the 1/3 gap you left in the vertical ropes.

You are now ready to use my Djembe Heading Instructions! Don't worry just take your time and pay attention....You can do it! This page verbally guides you through preparing and replacing the new skin