Fara Tolno's Rhythm Reference

[batz]

Anyone have opinions about Fara's instructional project, http://www.rhythmreference.com/ ?
Its a set of mp3 files with Djembe, Dun Dun, and Advanced Ballet Dun Dun sold separately.

I recently bought it, so here's my review.

Its absolutely perfect for what I wanted, a reference set of clips of all the rhythms I play, such that I can have them organized on my iPod and ready to use for practicing and teaching others while traveling. For every rhythm the break and 2-3 accompaniments are presented in 2 versions, first Fara's, 2nd Mamady Keita's.

Everything is recorded by Fara himself, not with percussion software, including the shaker that accompanies each rhythm to teach the beat.

It comes with a single pdf file of notations and cultural/historical context for all the rhythms. This was really just a bonus for me, as I don't practice with notation much. It also includes a nice introduction to timing structures when working with West African Rhythms. I'm completely ignorant when it comes to music theory and the understanding of timing and notation concepts, but the explanation here of binary/tenary rhythms and the limitations of notation when working with these rhythms was the first time the concepts clicked for me.

The downside is that each djembe part is only 20 seconds long at a single tempo, and there are also no solo phrases taught. So its definitely a great beginner tool. But I consider myself intermediate skill level and for my needs its a great reference to have on my iPod. I like going through all 50 rhythms and practicing each part as a review/memorization ritual, then looping them for solo practice.

[bubudi]

a review was posted here, not sure why it's in the teacher's corner rather than here in the media section.

[Djembe-nerd]

The downside is that each djembe part is only 20 seconds long at a single tempo

There are many music softwares where you can just make a loop and keep them playing forever. I do that all the time and practice for 30 min - one hour on one rhythym.

RR is very good tool.

[michi]

There are many music softwares where you can just make a loop and keep them playing forever. I do that all the time and practice for 30 min - one hour on one rhythym.

Right. And most software MP3 players can play back at variable speed without changing pitch, so you can slow things down to learn them or speed them up to play along.

Michi.

[batz]

Weird, I didn't find that thread when I searched before.

There are many music softwares where you can just make a loop and keep them playing forever. I do that all the time and practice for 30 min - one hour on one rhythym.

Right. And most software MP3 players can play back at variable speed without changing pitch, so you can slow things down to learn them or speed them up to play along.

Michi.

On my Mac I use Garage Band to do this and it works pretty well. I can then export the looped/manipulated versions to itunes/ipod.