djembe arrangements

[phatbeatboy]

Hi,

I'm a full time professional drummer/percussionist and teacher and my background is mostly in kit and Brazilian/Cuban percussion. African drumming is not something I have explored to the same degree. However, I teach drums in a high school and they recently obtained a number of djembes. I have started to run a small drum group using these instruments and am looking for some resources I can use. I have found many sources for learning the basic patterns but what I am not sure about is how to build a complete "arrangement" that we can perform with calls, rhythms, soloing, etc. Can any of you point me in the right direction as this is a new area for me.

Many thanks,

Stu

[Waraba]

what I am not sure about is how to build a complete "arrangement" that we can perform with calls, rhythms, soloing, etc.
Stu

You can't get it all in one place, to my knowledge. Firstly, a good teacher is essential. But for supplementary materials, here's what I know:

For full arrangements I'd recommend the complete set of Fara Tolno's rhythm reference downloads from Drumskull Drums. It also has some extended breaks (calls), and rhythms completely orchestrated from djembe accompaniments to all the dunduns. Comes with downloadable pdf text with all accompaniments notated, with some cultural background. It does not provide soloing at all. The complete set is expensive (and worth it).

For full arrangements with some soloing and cultural background, there is Mamady Keita's "My Life for the Djembe" which is a book with a cd, and considerably cheaper. Each rhythm is broken down by part, then played all together, then Mamady gives a solo over the rhythm but it's up to you to catch it.

Mamady Keita's 12-cd set has rhythm breakdowns AND solo breakdowns, played at different tempos. Completely auditory, no accompanying text.

Abdoul Doumbia's "Anke Dje Anke Be" has extensive, notated soloing, along with short introductory breaks and also extended, notated soloing on dunduns.

Check out the thread on Sega Sidibe's Sega Kan Do for extensive reviews on that.

[phatbeatboy]

Thanks! Just needed somewhere to get started so this is very helpful.

[Paul]

Famadou konates 'rhythms and songs of guinea' is good (book and cd), it seems designed for teachers with a lot of arrangements and nice rhythms.. It even gives suggestions on where different instruments and where singers should stand in the arrangement... the rhythms aren't that hard but very nice.. lolo, balakulunya, kuku..

[bubudi]

welcome, stu!

check out these resources to help learning djembe. as always, i stress that learning these rhythms properly requires a real teacher. books, dvds and the like are at best learning aids, or a poor substitute where a teacher is not available.