Djembe Rhythms or African drum Rhythms?

Djembe Rhythms are a type of African Drum Rhythm that usually refers to musical arrangements involving 2 or more drums, one of which being a djembe drum.

Although these drum rhythms are often called djembe rhythms, it tends to insinuate that these rhythms are all about the djembe drum, which they are not. Though calling them a djembe rhythm maybe be a way of identifying then a rhythm which is traditionally played on a djembe and dunun (or dunduns), rather than the counless other traditional drum rhythms that are found in Africa.

Master drummer Famoudou Konate and Seckou Conde playing in a djembe ensemble in Sanankoro, Hamana in Guinea in 2007

To further confuse things there are many drum rhythms that have are traditionally not played on djembe, which have been transitioned onto djembe, such as Djole (which is traditionally played on the Shiko drums) or Sabar (which is still mostly played on Sabar drums).

Traditional djembe rhythms

A traditional djembe rhythm usually has an accompanying dance. Djembe rhythms and their corresponding dances would have been associated with specific occassions, with each rhythm having a time and place. These days rhythms and dances may be performed at a wider range of events.

In general the djembefola usually leads the rhythms. He/she may play a call at the beginning of the rhythm and a may call some breaks during the rhythm which may or may not co-incide with certain dance steps or changes in direction.

An echauffement is also really typical to djembe rhythms, and can be initiated by either the djembefola or the dundunfola, but all drummers and dancer change their playing / dancing and create a sort of crescendo, after which things calm down, or the rhythm may end, or a break may be called.

Different styles of djembe rhythms

There are many different styles of djembe rhythm. These difference come down to geographical location, and hence different ethnic groups and the evolution of cultural practices in disperate locations and different ethnic groups, such as Maninka, Susu and Bamana. A 'djembe style' is not somethig that's easy to define, in part because styles are continually evolving.

A high level breakdown of the 'djembe rhythm' styles might look something like this:

• Susu style
• Maninka style (with two or three dunduns)
• Bamana style (or "Bamako style with Kassonka influences")
• Ballet style

Here is a list of traditional Maninka djembe rhythms.

Semi traditional / adapted djembe Rhythms

The term "djembe rhythm" may also refer to a rhythm from another tradition that has been adapted to be played on djembe, such as djole, which is traditionally played on the Siko drums.

West African Djembe Rhythms on djembefola.com

We have a few different resources on djembe rhythms and african drum rhythms here on djembefola.com.

The latest way to learn djembe:

Our latest project with Tasumakan is what we believe is the best way to learn djembe besides learning from an experienced teacher.

Free djembe Rhythms

• We have djembe drum notation, as added by our users.
• We have a lively djembe rhythm discussion in the forum as well as the ever popular and highly recommended 'Rhythm of the month', where we study a particular djembe rhythm in depth for a month (or 2).
• If you haven't already done so check out our free djembe lessons and our kpanlogo video lessons

Traditional djembe rhythms

Here is a non-definitive list of traditional Mande djembe rhythms.

Abioueka

Abondon

Bada

Balakulanya

Balan Sonde

Bando Djei

Bao

Bari/didadi

Bolokonondo

Bolonba

Dalah

Damba

Demosoni Kelen

Dennadon

Diagbe

Diansa

Dibon II

Djaa Kouroussa

Djaa Siguiri

Djabara

Djambadon

Djole

Donaba

Dunumbe

Fanga

Fankani

Farabakan

Fe

Foro Binge

Foule

Fura

G Beredu

Garankedon

Gbunkundo

Gidamba

Gomba

Kadan

Kakilambe

Kala

Kanin

Kassa

Kassa Djibo

Kassa Soro

Kebendo

Kele mse

Kemoba

Kennefoli

Kirin/Ngri

Kofili

Komo

Konden I

Konden II

Konkoba Dundun

Konkoba II

Konkoba III

Kono

Kononari

Konowoulen I

Konowoulen II

Kontemuru

Koro

Koteba

Kuku

Kurabadon

Kurubi

Lafe

Lekule

Lengjen

Liberte I

Liberte II

Maane

Macru

Mamaya

Marakadon

Mendiani

Menie

Mola

Molekani Djou jee

Moribayassa

Nama

Namani

Nantalomba

NGoron

Not applicable

Noumou

Other

Saa

Sanja

Sanja

Sanja

Senefoly

Sidiyasa

Sigi

Sinte

Sirankuruni

Siwe

Sobonincun

Sofa

Sogolon

Soko

Soli

Soli de Manian

Soli lent

Soliwulen

Sorofoly

Sorsornet

Sounou

Suku

Sungurubani

Taama

Tage

Takonani

Takosaba

Tani

Tansole

Tiantigi

Tiriba

Tisamba

Toro

Warba

Wassolon soli

Wassolonka

Woima

Wolosedon

Wonde

Yankadi

Yogui

Zaouli