WARNING! Ignorance ahead!

[Jan >^..^<]

Watch out!!

Now that I have your attention: I am pretty ignorant about West African Drumming. OK, I'm probably totally ignorant about it! I'm seeing some names of famous players, etc but it's all a little overwhelming - especially since I can't pronounce most of the names! Is there a really good book or DVD or info that lays it all out in an orderly, easily to assimilate fashion?

Is there a good list of the most important (relatively speaking) djembe players that I should pay attention to? I've figured out that Mamady Keita is the biggie - though all I know is his name right now.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

[michi]

Mamady's "A Life for the Djembe" is the bible. Most comprehensive collection of rhythms and cultural information on the market. Contains just over 60 rhythms, with a CD showing how to play 20 of them.

I would also consider buying Mamady's teaching DVDs, all of which are excellent.

Cheers,

Michi.

[AoxoA]

I second that. To learn to play, a total beginner can get a lot from http://www.dancinghands.com/view_category.php?id=2 How to Play Djembe - Book with CD West African Rhythms For Beginners
by Alan Dworsky and Betsy Sansby.

[Michel]

And may I suggest to listen a lot to djembe rhythms? Online you can buy a lot of great djembe and West African music cd's. Look around on the forum, in the media section you'll find a lot of suggestions.

[Jan >^..^<]

Thanks, ya'll. I actually ordered the Gentle Djembe set by Dworsky the other day.

Today, I ordered Mamady's book. Thanks, Michi. Man! Some places wanted a LOT of money for shipping! But I found a place that had reasonable shipping.

As to his teaching DVDs, are they geared for beginners?

Next, I'll check the media section for suggestions for CDs.

[e2c]

Jan,

I have one suggestion for you: take this a step at a time.

all the suggestions you've gotten so far are great, but really, there's only so much anyone can absorb, especially when starting out.

One of Mamady's DVDs is geared to beginners, and that's (probably) the one to get for now.

I don't know where you're located, but am wondering if you've checked into the possibility of taking lessons? Having a real live teacher is the best way to go, but a lot of us aren't in a position to get to classes on a regular basis (depends on where one is, geographically).

[AoxoA]

Thanks, ya'll. I actually ordered the Gentle Djembe set by Dworsky the other day.

Today, I ordered Mamady's book. Thanks, Michi. Man! Some places wanted a LOT of money for shipping! But I found a place that had reasonable shipping.

As to his teaching DVDs, are they geared for beginners?

Next, I'll check the media section for suggestions for CDs.

Gentle Djembe is not geared toward west African ensemble playing like their other book is: "How to Play Djembe - West African Rhythms For Beginners."

If you just wanna jam try, "Hip Grooves for Hand Drums - How to Play Funk, Rock, & World-Beat Patterns on Any Drum"

No doubt you'll learn something from gentle djembe and I think you should master the gentle djembe (since that's what you went with) before you move on to other DVDs.

[Jan >^..^<]

Yeah, I watched the first of the Gentle Djembe and though it has West African rhythms in it (at least the first one does), it doesn't seem like it's quite what I'm looking for. I was really disappointed that it is djembe without the slaps. Instead it does the rhythms by improvising using tones. If I had known that I probably would have skipped these DVDs.

e2c, I think you are right in that I need to take it one step at a time. I have a tendency to try to do too much too fast.

I'll read Mamady's book and see if I can find that beginner DVD.

[michi]

Try his "Guinée: Les Rythmes Du Mandeng - Vol 1" DVD. It has rhythms that are fairly easy.

Cheers,

Michi.

[Afoba]

Mamady's "A Life for the Djembe" is the bible.

I must be jewish then!
d;-)

Greets Michi,
Daniel

[Jan >^..^<]

Mamady's "A Life for the Djembe" is the bible.

I must be jewish then!
d;-)

Greets Michi,
Daniel

[Jan >^..^<]

I don't know where you're located, but am wondering if you've checked into the possibility of taking lessons? Having a real live teacher is the best way to go, but a lot of us aren't in a position to get to classes on a regular basis (depends on where one is, geographically).

There's actually a TTM in my area. I have looked at taking classes - if I can get past my nervousness and work it into my schedule. Even if I don't take classes right away, there is a one day workshop that I will probably sign up for.

[Jan >^..^<]

Try his "Guinée: Les Rythmes Du Mandeng - Vol 1" DVD. It has rhythms that are fairly easy.

Cheers,

Michi.

Hm ... that doesn't sound like it's going to be in a language I understand - but I guess the drum has no language! I'll check it out!

Thanks!

[bubudi]

don't worry about the language. the rhythm tuition is done without words. the technique is translated into english as is the cultural background given when introducing each rhythm.

[e2c]

I don't know where you're located, but am wondering if you've checked into the possibility of taking lessons? Having a real live teacher is the best way to go, but a lot of us aren't in a position to get to classes on a regular basis (depends on where one is, geographically).

There's actually a TTM in my area. I have looked at taking classes - if I can get past my nervousness and work it into my schedule. Even if I don't take classes right away, there is a one day workshop that I will probably sign up for.

Take it a step at a time... and remember, these are group classes. You would be in there with lots of other beginners, and all of you are going to be nervous, feel awkward and make mistakes at times. (Even the best teachers make mistakes sometimes, too. We're only human, after all.)

Somehow I think it's much easier to get accustomed to it all in a group, with other people there for encouragement and support.

Edited to add: I'd also encourage you to talk with your contact at TTM (Tom?) about your concerns re. taking classes. I'm sure he would be able to give some helpful perspective - and that you've got plenty of company in terms of feeling hesitant.