Mastering the Flam on Djembe ♫ – A Must-Know Technique for Drummers

In my latest video, I demonstrate the flam technique on djembe and how you can use it to develop more fluidity and expression in your playing. If you’ve ever wanted to add more variation and dynamic feel to your drumming, this is a great technique to explore!

A flam is typically described as two quick, slightly offset strikes—one as a grace note, followed by a main note. However, on the djembe, the relationship between the two notes is much more fluid.

Unlike snare drum flams, where the grace note is significantly softer, the two notes in a djembe flam can be closer in volume and timing, creating a subtle “double attack” effect. There are many nuances in how wide apart the two notes are, ranging from a very tight, almost simultaneous hit to a more open flam with a pronounced separation.

These subtleties are rarely explored in snare drumming, making the djembe flam a unique and expressive tool in traditional and contemporary rhythms.

In this video, I present a finished example of the flam technique on djembe and discuss its practical applications. Whether you’re new to flams or refining your approach, this tutorial will give you a clear way to experiment and develop your own variations.

✔️  Adds texture and dynamics to your playing
✔️  Helps develop coordination and control
✔️  Essential for soloing and improvisation
✔️  Creates subtle rhythmic variations within traditional djembe patterns

I’m planning more in-depth breakdowns of djembe rolls and flam applications within rhythms—so if you find this video useful, let me know in the comments!

Have you tried incorporating flams into your djembe playing? Drop a comment on YouTube—I’d love to hear your experiences!