African Drumming

Djembe A type of hand drum from West Africa. The word Djembe comes from the saying “everyone gather together.” The drum is used for all kinds of celebrations and events that bring people together.

Djembe The shell of the drum is shaped like a goblet and made of wood. The drumhead is traditionally made from goatskin that is attached to the shell with metal rings and rope.

Djun-Djuns West African bass drum played alongside the Djembe. They are played with sticks and have a powerful low pitched sound.

Djun-Djuns The shell of the djun-djun is made from wood and shaped like a cylinder. Djun-djuns have two skins-one on top and one on bottom. They are made out of cow hide.

Balafon Type of xylophone played with mallets from West Africa. The balafon is made of slates of hardwood cut into different sizes. The different sizes of slates create different pitches

Balafon The pieces of wood are tied to a frame made of wood or bamboo. Dried gourds are attached underneath to increase volume, sound quality, and resonance.

N’Daaga N’Daaga is a rhythm from Senegal. It’s mainly played by the Wolof people in Senegal’s capital city, Dakar.

N’Daaga This is one of the first rhythms that many Senegalese children learn to dance to. The N’Daaga is played in 3/4 time with a “waltz” feel.

N’Daaga C G G C G G C G G C C C C G G G C G G G C Stick Drums: N’-Daa-ga N’-Daa-ga N’-Daa-ga Let’s all play the Low Xylophones: N’-Daa-ga N’-Daa-ga N’-Daa-ga Let’s all play the C G G C G G C G G C C C C   Hand drums: Se-ne-gal drum Se-ne-gal drum High xylophones: Se-ne-gal drum Se-ne-gal drum G G G C G G G C  Other percussion: Play N’-Daa-ga from Se-ne-gal N’-Daa-ga

Lamba Lamba is the song of the djeli. The song showcases the rhythms and melodies of the djeli music from Guinea. Djelis are the traditional musicians and history keepers of West Africa. Many can recite long histories from memory. Dejelis inherit their musical status through their families.

Lamba

Lamba Lamba started as a tune on the balafon. Later, drums and other instruments were added to the music Lamba has become a popular song performed by the djelis for every occasion. In the song, the djelis give thanks for the gift of music. The swing feel in Lamba is similar to the swing feel found in jazz music.

Lamba E G G E E A A E E G G E E A A E Stick Drums: Play Lam-ba Yea, Play Lam-ba Yeah, Play Lam-ba this way on the drums yeah Low xylophones: Play Lam-ba Yea, Play Lam-ba Yeah, Play Lam-ba this way on the drums yeah C C C D C C C E C C C D C C C C E Hand drums: Play the Lam-ba now Let’s all play the Lam-ba now Let’s all High xylophone: Let’s play Lam-ba right now Let’s play Lam-ba right now C C C C D C C C C C D C Other xylophones: It is the song of the Dje-li It is the song of the Dje-li E G G E E A A E E G G E E A A E

Macrou The Macrou is a rhythm traditionally from the Susu ethnic group. . The Susu are located in the western coastal region of Guinea which is where the rhythm comes from.

Macrou The Macrou is a rhythm and dance that is most often times played at the time of a full moon. Young people from different villages gather and participate in the social event. The Macrou is usually played with the Yankadi at the same ceremony. Often referred to as a “dance of seduction,” the Macrou is more of social gathering where people get to know each other.

Macrou The ceremony typically begins with the Yankadi which is has a slow swing feel. Dancers move in slow sweeping movements while singers face each other. The call of a whistle indicates the change to the Macrou. The Macrou changes to a fun, up-tempo pattern. The dance moves are high energy with interactive group dancing that allows people to make new friends!

Macrou F F G F F G A C F A D A C F A D Stick Drums: Mac-rou beat play it now! Mac-rou beat play it now! Low xylophones: beat play the beat play the F F G F F G Hand drums: Su-su peo-ple from Gui-nea play this! High xylophones: Call it the Mac-rou Call it the Mac-rou A C F A D A C F A D Other xylophone: Play the beat now play it Play the beat now play it F C F C G D F C F C G D

Didadi Didadi is a song, rhythm, and dance from the Wassoulou region of Mali.

Didadi Didadi is played to accompany Wassoulou music and for many other occasions like weddings, holidays, and welcoming guests. Traditionally Didadi is performed by young people at harvest festivals in Mali. Drummers play the Didadi rhythm on drums, and dancers compete to win the title “Best Didadi Dancer” at the Didadi games! The xylophone part is the vocal part that is typically sung with the drum pattern.

Didadi Stick Drums: Now let’s play Di-da-di on the drums Low xylophones: Now let’s play Di-da-di on the drums E G G G G G E A A  Hand drums: Play the beat Play the Di-da-di Yeah! High xylophones: Here is the Di-da-di from the coun-try Ma-li G C E G G E G C E A A E

Takamba Takamba is a style of rhythm and dance performed by the Tuareg and Sanghai people of Niger and Mali.

Takamba The word Takamba comes from an abbreviated version of the Songhai phrase “Ganu mate kan ni ga ba.” Which translates to “Dance the way you like to dance.” Takamba features a graceful dance performed by men and women, seated or standing. The dance is characterized by slow, wave-like movements of the shoulders and arms from right to left. As the mover their arms, the dancers roll their eyes in a sweet, playful way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npPnpINBrps start at 2:35

Takamba Now let’s play ta-kam-ba like this Play Ta-kam-ba Stick Drums: Now let’s play ta-kam-ba like this Play Ta-kam-ba Low xylophones: Now let’s play ta-kam-ba like this Play Ta-kam-ba G G G D D D G G B B A A Hand drums: Play Ta-kam-ba Play Ta-kam-ba High xylophones: Lis-ten to the Ta-kam-ba G F D F G D D It is played on the drum the Ta-kam-ba is so fun G A B B B A G A B B B A G   Extra xylophone part: Lis-ten to the ta-kam-ba Play the song from the Sa-ha-ra G F D F G D D G G F D F G D D

Miyaabele Miyaabele is from Senegal

Miyaabele Miyaabele is a Fulani folk song. Fulanis are an ethnic group found throughout West Africa. Fulanis are traditionally nomadic herders. The Miyaabele is performed in 3/4 time which makes it feel like a beautiful African waltz!

Miyaabele C E G C E G E G C E E G C E Low Drums with sticks: Mi-yaa-bele Mi-yaa-bele Mi-yaa-bele Let’s all play the Low Xylophones: Mi-yaa-bele Mi-yaa-bele C E G C E G Hand drums: Is Fun to play Is fun to play High xylophones: Is Fun to play Is fun to play E G C E E G C E  Other xylophone: Let’s play the mi-yaa-be-le G E C C C E G

Yankadi The Yankadi is a rhythm traditionally from the Susu ethnic group. . The Susu are located in the western coastal region of Guinea which is where the rhythm comes from.

Yankadi The Yankadi is a rhythm and dance that is most often played at the time of a full moon. Young people from different villages gather and participate in the social event. The Macrou is usually played with the Yankadi at the same ceremony. Often referred to as a “dance of seduction,” the Yankadi is more of social gathering where people get to know each other.

Yankadi The ceremony typically begins with the Yankadi which is has a slow swing feel. Dancers move in slow sweeping movements while singers face each other. The call of a whistle indicates the change to the Macrou. The Macrou changes to a fun, up-tempo pattern. The dance moves are high energy with interactive group dancing that allows people to make new friends!

Yankadi E G E A E G E A E C G C E D A Low Drums with sticks: Gui-nea Gui-nea Gui-nea Low Xylophones: Called Yan-ka-di Called Yan-ka-di E G E A E G E A Hand drums: play the beat from the Susu High xylophones: play the beat from the Su su E C G C E D A  Other xylophone: From Gui-nea From Gui-nea C E G C E G

Makossa Makossa is a celebration rhythm played in Burkina Faso.

Makossa Makossa’s purpose is to make people dance and have fun! The xylophone part comes from a song about a dancer named Aisha. The song goes like this: Oh Wey, Oh Wey! Come to our place, Aisha! She really knows how to dance

Makossa D D A F F G D D A F F G D D D A G F D D D C E C Stick Drums: This song is Ma-kos-sa It comes from Af-ri-ca Low Xylophones:This song is Ma-kos-sa It comes from Af-ri-ca D D A F F G D D A F F G Hand drums: Play the beat we call Ma-kos-sa High xylophones:Play the Song Ma-kos-sa Bur-kin-a fa-so YEA D D D A G F D D D C E C