African Drumming

1. African Drumming

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

10. N’Daaga 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 CCC 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-galN’-Daa-ga

11. 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.

12. Lamba

13. 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.

14. Lamba 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 CCC D C C CCC 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

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

16. 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.

17. 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!

18. Macrou 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-supeo-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

19. Didadi • Didadi is a song, rhythm, and dance from the Wassoulouregion of Mali.

20. 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.

21. 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

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

23. Takamba • The word Takambacomes from an abbreviated version of the Songhai phrase “Ganu matekannigaba.” 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

24. Takamba 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 BB A G A B BB 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

25. Miyaabele • Miyaabele is from Senegal

26. 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!

27. Miyaabele Low Drums with sticks: Mi-yaa-beleMi-yaa-beleMi-yaa-bele Let’s all play the • Low Xylophones: Mi-yaa-beleMi-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

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

29. 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.

30. 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!

31. Yankadi Low Drums with sticks: Gui-neaGui-neaGui-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 EC G C E D A Other xylophone:From Gui-nea FromGui-nea C E G C E G

32. Makossa • Makossa is a celebration rhythm played in Burkina Faso.

33. 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 Aisha!

34. Makossa 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