Posting a question on behalf of my boyfriend

He plays bongos and cajon in an acoustic funky covers band, and always comes back from gigs with bruised hands! He's a very enthusiastic instinctual player, always sounds fab but has never had percussion lessons - he's just played kit and other bits in bands for years.

Does anyone have any technique tips to help? Or should I pack him off to a specialist teacher for a few pointers!!?

I'm doing quite a lot of African drumming at the moment, and I always come away with a bruised right hand. To be honest, I'm not sure whether it's something you can really avoid, when there's so much impact, generally on the same area of the hand! I'd be interested to find out whether there's a way of avoiding bruising, though.

Hi Kat, wotcha up to nowadays?!

I used to get light bruising on my hands when I first started african drumming. The bruising stopped as I learnt how to hit the drum correctly. There are so many djembes on the market, you definitely pay for what u get.

My current drum has a gorgeous tone, the head is really nice to play, since I invested in this drum for teaching I no longer get bruising.

Right, well I've had a bit of teaching on latin and african stuff over the past week, and I'm thinking that to try and avoid bruising, maybe he needs to try to be more relaxed when he's playing? That might help! I'm not sure whether it'll help, but I shall try it next time I'm playing djembe, and see whether it makes a difference!

frumpybabes - I've just finished auditioning for music colleges (RCM, RNCM, Trinity and Guildhall). I've got a place at RNCM, might have a place at Guildhall (but I'm confused, so I'm not sure!) and haven't heard from the other two. Apart from that, I'm teaching percussion to groups of children! How about you?

Well here is my husband two penny worth after 40 years of playing bongos, congos and djembes.

The hand should be slightly cupped. Keep fingers closed. The bruising comes from allowing the hand to 'flap' and thus become flat. Do not wear any rings or other hand jewellery as it can damage the skins on the drums and impede the closing of the fingers.

Other half says thank you all he'll try those things and see how it goes.

Congrats Kat on RNCM and Guildhall!

Know quite a few people at both but RNCM is a far nicer venue so where ru teaching percussion?
I'm still much the same as b4 no change really just two extra schools this term!

Ru getting involved in Gatton this year?