A while back i posted for advice on what drum to start up on.  A number of you recomended the djembe to me, and after checking one out at the local guitar center i was hooked.  The variety of sounds i could acheive, not rediculously big, and perfect for keeping the drumming up in a dorm room.  I purchased a remo djembe, with fiberskyn head.  14"x25".  I got my set teacher to teach me a bit on it, so i'm on my way into the world of hand drums.  Thanks for the help guys.  

Nice. Good luck with that.  djembe's are very versitle. They sound pretty good with brushes, if you ever need to add some variety for an acoustic gig.

I started on djembe with an African study group, but just didn't get the cool rhythm feel from it. My ears would ring after each session from the loud crack of the drums, and my hands would hurt from the tight skins. Then, a year later I went to a class taught by a Ghanaian fellow playing a Twinchin - aka - Kponlogo. It's the precursor to congas. The head is softer antelope rather than the harder rawhide, and when you really smack the drum you get a nice crisp whack instead of a deafening roar, and the tones are satisfyingly mellow. I've never seen a Ghanaian player taping his hands, and this of course is a sign that the drums are forgiving.
Also, they're fairly cheap for all wood drums.

Dave