Without music, there is no joy.
— Malinke Proverb
Without joy, there is no music.
Note that I list a number of books below, but you really CANNOT learn to play African music from a book. You have to HEAR and FEEL it to truly be able to play it.
Essential References
- Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy
- TTMDA Curriculum for Traditional Djembe & Dunun, Book 1
- A Life for the Djembe, Mamady Keïta. Sadly out of print and generally very expensive on the secondary market, but if you’re serious about West African music you need it.
- Nankama, Mamady Keïta. Additional rhythms & explorations by the master. Also out of print, but worth searching for on the secondary market.
General Sources of Information
- Djembefola Drum & Dance Community (hasn’t been updated in a while but if you dig around there’s some useful stuff there)
- African Percussion: Djembe, Serge Blanc.
- West African Rhythms, Age Delbanco.
- Roots Super Jam, Nowick Gray. Compilation of Roots Jam Volumes 1-3.
- The Djembe Guide, Ianto Thornber
Background & Cultural Information
- Mande Music, Eric Cherry. Scholarly discussion of traditional and modern Maninka/Mandinka music.
Articles on West African Drumming
- Michael Pluznik, “There Are Many Kinds and Types of Djembe and African Drum Rhythms”
- Bill Scheidt, “The Drum as Instrument and Tool”
Drills/Notes for Specific Rhythms
- Fanga
- Kuku
- Moribayassa
- Balakulandjan
- Kassa
- Sofá
- Yankadi/Makru
- Garangedon
- Köno
- Djansa
- Djolé
- Soli des Maniyans