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. This of often used in reference to a drum rhythm which is traditionally played on a djembe and dunun (or dunduns), rather than the countless 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 a corresponding , accompanying dance, which are associated with specific occassions, with each rhythm having a usual 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 can also be particular to a certain rhythm, or rhythmic family, 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
Here is a non-definitive list of traditional Mande djembe rhythms.rythmes de djembè, n'hésitez pas à consulter l'encyclopédie mandingue de www.djembefola.fr qui référence près de 250 rythmes avec leurs partitions, des sons ainsi que les pistes de CD connues, mais aussi vidéos de percussions et danses et les chants associés.
Learn some music terminology you'll need.
More djembe exercises to develop your co-ordination, technique and sounds.