Sakuntu From Rochester NY, USA

[sakuntu]

Hi Folks, Just found this board on the web. I've been playing congas for about 16 years and Djembe for about 12 years. I spent some time in Ghana West Africa during 1996 and picked up djembe and Kpanlogo there. My traditional experience with the Djembe is limited being that while in Ghana i spent more time with the Kpanlogo and congas drums. I enjoy the Djembe a lot and am interested in learning more traditional Djembe rhythms and styles (mandjani, Kuku etc...) I just bought a 13" Kangaba Djembe made in Mali (Gueni wood). Whats your opinion on the Kangaba drums? http://www.kangaba.com/. Heres a pic:

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Nice to be a part of Djembefola. Great Site!
-Sakuntu

[James]

Hey Sakuntu,

Welcome to the site. You drum looks nice, but I don't have any direct experience of the makers you're refering to...

You still playing kpanlogo these days?

[Dugafola]

i have seen and played Kangaba drums froms Mali and they are decent quality carved shells imo. the heading/skinning work that comes from the workshop can be average to good in some cases. they sometimes use cheaper rope that will stretch way too much or fray too easily. also, i've seen Kangaba drums with rings that are too large causing the skin to slip. One reason for this could be that they do not let their shells cure enough before they fit them for rings and skin them. they are carved in the traditional way with the random assortment of adzes and picks etc. shell consistency can be pretty good. i have seen some pretty thin ones. i don't like the fact that they 'brand' their drums too...my personal nitpick.

the good thing about them is that if you got a good shell, you're stoked because it probably didn't cost you as much as some of the other drums out there. plus, they use traditional djembe woods: lenke, hare/gueni, dugara, gele, djalla etc. once your skin pops, you can re-size rings as needed, re-work the bearing edge if needed and get a good skin and good rope on there.

[sakuntu]

Thanks for the welcome and the good information guys. So it sounds like i got a decent to intermediate drum. Good...given that i'm not deep into Djembe Culture...Yet Maybe someday i'll have to get an upgrade. The rings on this particular drum where tighter to the shell than my old Ghanaian Djembe so i've been happier with the feel and sound overall. (nice and dry). This is a great site and I've been enjoying learning more and more about traditional Malinke Djembe rhythms and culture. So is there a book or DVD with all the basic rhythms in it that you guys would recommend? (kuku, mandiani, etc...) Thanks again for the help and welcome.

Josh

[sakuntu]

PS; yes, I'm still playing Kpanlogo as much as possible. Heres my axe. (Afena Akoma)

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[Marc_M]

Hey Sakuntu -

Have you ever checked out the gang at Bush Mango in Rochester? I did a workshop with Famoudou Konate at their studio and they seemed like a pretty decent group. They focus on learning all the parts of the songs and learning the traditions of african drumming. They were really warm and friendly, so you may want to check them out.

If you ever come up north to Canada, drop me a line.

Cheers.

Marc

[sakuntu]

I haven't checked them out yet. I'll have to do that. Were their prices reasonable? Did you learn a lot from the workshop?

[Marc_M]

Hi Sakunto -

Of course, Famoudou Konate is a living legend, so the workshop was definitely worthwhile. I have no idea how much Bush Mango charge for lessons, but I know they have a website.

Hope they work out for you.

Marc