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World Drums & Percussion

Shop World Drums & Percussion at West Music

Explore the rhythmic sounds of the globe with an eclectic array of world drums and percussion instruments here at West Music. You can bring the sounds of Africa home or into your classroom with beginner or professional grade djembes, doumbeks & darbukas, talking drums and more. Discover South America with cajons, timbales, tubanos or decorative bongo drums for kids. Many of these drums are extremely versatile and can be played with a stick or by hand, making them fantastic for music therapy patients, group drumming sessions and children.

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If you cannot view the products in this category, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Your network or browser security settings may be blocking the products from loading (to confirm, try opening this page on your phone's cellular network).

Please try the following options to proceed with your order:

1. To place your order over the phone, call us Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm CST at 1-800-397-9378.

2. Shop via a different browser or network connection (i.e. on your phone or with a different Wi-Fi network).

3. Contact your IT team to ask them to whitelist js.klevu.com.

4. You can also click here to access our digital catalog. Use the search at the top of the Catalog screen to find a product, click a link to navigate the product detail page (product pages will load normally), and add it to your cart. You can also navigate directly to product pages by adding a 6-digit item number (i.e. "400278") to the end of our URL (i.e. Westmusic.com/400278).

World Drums and Percussion

World drums and percussion instruments bring global music traditions' diverse rhythms and sounds to the forefront. From the rhythmic beats of African drums to the distinct sounds of instruments like bongos, cajons, congas, djembes, timbales, and tongue drums, these instruments offer a rich tapestry of cultural expression and musical exploration.

African Drums

African drums, encompassing a variety of drum types from across the continent, are deeply rooted in cultural traditions. These drums, used in ceremonies, celebrations, and storytelling, are known for their powerful rhythms and are integral to the continent's musical identity.

Bongos

Bongos, a pair of small, open-bottomed drums attached, are a staple in Afro-Cuban music. Played with the hands, they produce a high-pitched sound essential in salsa music and Latin genres. Bongos are known for their fast, rhythmic patterns and are prevalent in ensemble and solo settings.

Cajon

The cajon, originating from Peru, is a box-shaped percussion instrument. Played by slapping the front face with the hands, it can mimic the sounds of a complete drum kit. Its versatility makes it popular in flamenco, folk, and pop music.

Conga Drum

The conga drum, taller and more significant than bongos, is another crucial instrument in Afro-Caribbean music. Typically played in two or three sets, congas have a deep, resonant sound integral to genres like son, rumba, and salsa.

Djembe

The djembe, a goblet-shaped drum from West Africa, is known for its rich, vibrant sound. Played with bare hands, it produces a wide range of tones. Djembes are central to traditional African music and ceremonies, and their popularity has spread worldwide.

Timbales

Timbales are shallow, single-headed drums with a metal casing, essential in Latin music, especially in styles like mambo and cha-cha. They are played with sticks and often include a cowbell for additional rhythmic accents.

Tongue Drums

Tongue drums, crafted from hollowed-out wood or metal, have cut-out 'tongues' of different sizes that produce additional notes when struck. They offer a melodic and harmonic percussion experience with a soothing and resonant sound that is gaining popularity in music therapy.

Cosmic Percussion

For a more unique approach, Cosmic percussion refers to a range of percussion instruments known for their unique sounds and diverse origins. These instruments often blend traditional designs with modern craftsmanship, creating visually striking and musically versatile instruments.

Author: Aaron Hansen