Djembe

The djembe is from West Africa where it has a long tradition of being used to accompany dances. In recent years the instrument has become incredibly popular around the world with huge numbers being produced and played in all kinds of music.

The jembe can make warm low sounds, flat drum tones and high pitched slaps and is great for both slow and fast music. You can listen to some examples in the media player, but remember: in Africa the djembe is for dancing, not listening!

Does every school have a xylophone?

Has every school pupil played the xylophone at least once? The answer must surely be yes to both those questions and yet very few people realise the instrument originally came from Africa. The word xylo-phone means wooden-sound and the first xylophones played in Europe were actually imported from Africa almost 700 years ago.

Listen to Tutankhamun's Trumpet

Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in 1922, after lying undiscovered for over three thousand years. Among the treasures in the tomb were were two trumpets, one of silver and the other of copper. These beautifully made instruments are among the earliest known trumpets.

In 1939 a famous recording was made of the silver trumpet being played by a military bandsman which unfortunately shattered the instrument.

You can hear part of the recording in the media player.