African Traditional Instruments that Complements the Talking Drum
Have you ever been to an African musical concert? When the music starts, you can feel the energy in the air.
As you listen, you can hear more than just a single drum—you can hear a full conversation. That’s right!
The talking drum might be the main voice, but it's the other instruments that make the sound so rich and complete.
This is where other instruments come in, creating a powerful conversation with the talking drum.
So, what other African traditional instruments complement the talking drum?
The most common ones are the Djembe (pronounced "JEM-bae”), the Shekere (the mother of all shakers), the Balafon (a wooden xylophone), and the Bata.
This guide will introduce you to these key players in the band and show you how they all work together.
First, What Are African Traditional Instruments?
Before we dive into the specific instruments, let's take a quick look at what makes these instruments special.
African traditional instruments are not just for making music; they are a part of a community's culture and history.
Many are handmade, using natural materials like wood, gourds, and animal skin.
They have been used for centuries to tell stories, celebrate events, and communicate with each other.
For example, the Djembe is a goblet-shaped drum from West Africa (Mali and Guinea), while the Talking Drum is famous in the Yoruba culture of Nigeria.
Another example is the Balafon, which is a type of xylophone found across West Africa.
Each of these instruments has a unique voice, and when they come together, they create a powerful and unforgettable sound.
The Djembe
When you listen to a performance with a talking drum, the djembe is often the main beat, keeping everything together.
The djembe is one of the most fundamental African traditional instruments in an ensemble.
When you listen to a performance with a talking drum, the djembe is often the main beat, keeping everything together.
It provides a steady and powerful pulse that gives the talking drum the perfect foundation to sing and talk over.
The djembe is known for its incredible range of sounds, which are made by hitting the drumhead with your bare hands.
A hit in the center produces a deep, booming bass sound. A strike closer to the rim creates a clear, ringing tone.
And a quick, sharp hit on the edge makes a crisp slap. This variety of sounds is why the djembe can hold down the main beat for the entire band.
Its partnership with the talking drum is a beautiful musical conversation: the djembe lays down the steady pulse, and the talking drum adds the melodic voice and storytelling.
Want to know more about the differences between these two drums? We've got a Full Guide on the Djembe and Talking Drum!
The Bata Drum
The Bata drum is a double-headed, hourglass-shaped drum that is a central part of many Yoruba musical and spiritual traditions.
Unlike the talking drum, the bata drum is played with the hands, and it focuses on rhythm, not on talking.
Its unique shape allows it to produce a deep, low sound from one end and a higher, sharper tone from the other.
This gives the Bata a rich range of voices. In an ensemble, the Bata drum often provides a spiritual and rhythmic anchor.
Its steady, interlocking beats complement the talking drum's melodic speech, creating a full and vibrant musical conversation.
The talking drum can improvise and tell stories over the rhythmic foundation set by the Bata.
The Shekere
The Shekere is one of the most exciting African traditional instruments and it adds a special texture to the music.
It’s a musical shaker made from a dried gourd with a net of beads woven around it. When you shake, twist, or hit it, the beads hit the gourd, making a bright, crisp rattling sound.
While the other drums provide the beat, the Shekere adds a layer of fun rhythm and sparkle to the music.
It doesn't keep the main beat but instead complements the deep bass of the drums with its high, sharp rattle.
This makes the music feel more alive and adds a wonderful layer of sound that you can't get from a drum alone.
The Balafon
The Balafon is one of the most melodic of these instruments; it adds a happy singing tune to the ensemble.
It’s like a wooden piano or a large xylophone, with wooden keys of different lengths laid across a frame.
Gourds of different sizes are placed underneath the keys to make the sound bigger.
Its bright, clear notes can sing along with the talking drum, creating a beautiful call-and-response feeling.
The talking drum can tell a story, and the Balafon can "reply" with a happy, melodic phrase, making the musical conversation even richer.
Interested in adding a talking drum to your collection? Explore our Authentic Talking Drums!
More Layers: Other African Traditional Instruments
While the drums and shakers create the core beat, other traditional African instruments add layers of melody and complex rhythm to the music.
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The Kora:
This beautiful string instrument from West Africa is often described as a harp-lute.
Its twenty-one strings produce a gentle, flowing sound that can be both rhythmic and melodic.
The Kora's soft, intricate tunes can provide a beautiful backdrop for the talking drum's powerful "voice."
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The Udu:
The Udu is a unique clay pot drum with a hole on the side.
The player creates deep, bass sounds by striking the hole with their hand.
It adds a peaceful, low-end rhythm that provides a calming foundation for the whole ensemble.
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The Omele Drum:
The Omele is a smaller Yoruba drum, often played in a group of three.
These drums are a vital part of the ensemble, acting like a lively chorus that responds to the talking drum and adds to the musical conversation.
How They All Come Together
Each of these traditional instruments in the band has a special job. The Djembe provides a steady heartbeat. The Shekere adds a fun, rattling sound. The Balafon sings a happy tune. And finally, the Talking Drum joins in to tell its story.
When all these voices come together, they create a powerful, full, and complete sound. It's a team effort that makes the music truly unforgettable.
Ready to start your own drumming journey? Learn how to play the talking drum in our easy-to-follow guide for beginners!
Let’s Help You Find Your Own Rhythm
The true magic of the talking drum is in the way it works with other instruments.
Just like a good conversation, the music is at its best when different voices come together.
The deep thump of the Djembe, the bright rattle of the Shekere, and the sweet melody of the Balafon all combine to give the talking drum the perfect foundation to tell its story.
This beautiful collaboration is a perfect example of why these African traditional instruments are so special.
If this musical conversation has you wanting to learn more, our guide on how to play the talking drum is the perfect next step.
And when you're ready to start your own musical journey, be sure to explore mlpercussions for our full collection of authentic African traditional instruments.