Famoudou's NAKAN

[sixdigit]

Anyone has info about this rhythm? Is this a traditional rhythm or Famoudou's creation?

It's in the CD Hamana Mandenkönö.

[bkidd]

Hi Sixdigit,

This rhythm goes by the name Fefo, which is a dance for women where they use a "fe", an open calabash decorated with beads, and a group of women dance in unison. "A Nankan" is the name based on the rhythm and the song. The song that comes in around 1:25 talks about sending an announcement for one's arrival.

Hope that helps,
-Brian

[sixdigit]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for replying.

How does it differ from Mamady's Fe?

Anyone has a notation for this rhythm?

Thanks!

[michi]

Here is the notation for the way Famoudou taught Fefo last year in San Diego. There is also a sound clip of the break.

Call:

Code: Select all

1...2...3...4...
T.tt.t.tt.t.t...


Djembe 1:

Code: Select all

1...2...3...4...
s..ss.tts..ss.tt


Djembe 1:

Code: Select all

1...2...3...4...
b.tt..s.b.tt..s.


Sangban:

Code: Select all

1...2...3...4...
b..b..b.b.bb..b.
c..c..o.o.oo..c.


Kenkeni:

Code: Select all

1...2...3...4...
b.b.bb.bb.b.bb.b
....oo......oo..


Dundunba:

Code: Select all

1...2...3...4...
b.b.b.b.b.b.b.b.
o...o...o...o...


Here is the sound clip. (Normally, the djembe 1 part doesn't continue throughout the break; Famoudou did this so people could feel the pulse. You don't play the break twice either—this was just a demo of the break.)

Fefo break.mp3

Fefo break, San Diego, Grand Masters Tour, 30 June 2011

(914.04 KiB) Downloaded 92 times

Cheers,

Michi.

[James]

I Looooovvvee this rhythm....

Mainly due to the dundunba on the downbeat.

The Kid would love this one

[michi]

Here is Famoudou improvising to Fefo in San Diego last year.

This is quite a long recording, at eight and a half minutes. It's worth listening through all the way to the end. This is pure, signature Famoudou.

Fefo Improvisation, Famoudou Konate, San Diego, 30 June 2011

Michi.

[davidognomo]

thanks a lot for that Michi.

[sixdigit]

Thanks a lot Michi!

[James]

Thanks Michi.

I like this rhythm faster though

[Jhenna]

Tasumakan is taught by Paddy Cassidy, a djembefola from America who specializes in Malian-style djembe and dunun.
Paddy has been known to produce some of the most smokin' djembe sounds heard States-side, and he has the extensive first-hand experience in traditional djembe drumming. Cool