African Drumming

I didn't look through all the threads in this forum, so I hope i'm not repeating anything.

I'm looking to talk with other African drummers. I am new to the drumming scene and would like to just chat about the craft, etc.

 

hey there, I've been drumming for 2 years now, started when I was overseas living and working in Benin(tiny country in west africa). My djembe is from mali, got it at an artisan village in the capital city, REALLY good deal, about $25 cdn with a travel case. And it just so happened that I knew a guy who was a drum and dance teacher by profession, so I lucked out even further and got private lessons with him and a friend of mine once a week.

But since I've come home I havn't had much of a chance to jam with others, I've maybe done 3 or 4 drum circles since, otherwise I just jam to music on my stereo and explore the sound. As a result I don't really play in the traditional african style anymore, kind of have my own technique. But I'd love to get into a drumming circle, probably have to wait till I move to a place with one though.

Anyways, ya, there's my drumming history, haha, what's yours? what got you into it? pictures of your drum? in any drumming circles?

catch ya later, peace

oh, and a little something something I had on my gallery, from left to right is myself, Mauice (our instructor) and Graeme:

 

I just got a djembe and am looking for some inspiration/instruction. I was wondering if anyone knew of some websites or had recordings of some african rhythms to play. I would love to hear someone else playing a djembe. Thanks for any help in advance and happy drumming!

 

it's such a wonderful and beautiful thing
it makes the best coolest form of music
wish i could play a djembe...i should get one

 

i really want to get a djembe, so i am saving up. anyways, are they hard to play, do you have to play them a certain way?
-peace

 

There are some websites out there. Let me find them and i'll post them for you!

 

Websites with good djembe information:


www.djembe.net Has a lot of links on the page for various info

http://www.hawkdancing.com/Wooddrum/rhythm.html Looks like some good instruction info

http://www.djembelesson.org/ looks pretty cool

Here's a few to start...

let me know what you think!

 

listen to Babatunde Olatunji.... every drum circle you will see or hear in america is influenced by his arrangements and polyrhythmic patterns. the djembe has amazing versatility, and every drum is unique and has it's own distinct sound. as for a certain way to play it you've got youre bass, open, and slap tones. from there you can do anything. thats the beautiful thing about hand drums. anybody can play them. drums have been around longer than any other instrument. it touches a special part of the soul. the rhythm gets inside you. keep on living the music.

 

Surely search out an instructor if your serious about Djembe, being in a drum circle is great but if you know nothing about Djembe you will not feel your true self in playing. What is your area of living? There are many good Djembe instructors all over the states. Peace In Music..

 

check out the book "how to play djembe- west african rhythms for beginners" by alan dworsky and betsy sansby. also, give a listen to mamady keita and famodou konate.

 

i love tribal circles. Theres so much spiritual energy that magically is created when a bunch of people get in a circle are start bangin shit. I went to a drum circle last summer and it lasted ALLLL day. It was a very humbling and interesting experience. Ever since, ive fallen in love with all sorts of african drums