African Drumming

DjembeA 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.

DjembeThe 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-DjunsThe 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.

BalafonType 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

BalafonThe 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’DaagaN’Daaga is a

rhythm from Senegal.

It’s mainly played by the Wolof people in Senegal’s capital city, Dakar.

N’DaagaThis 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’DaagaStick 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 drumHigh 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

LambaLamba 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

LambaLamba 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.

LambaStick 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 Susu are located in the western coastal region of Guinea which is where the rhythm comes from.

The Macrou is a rhythm traditionally from the Susu ethnic group.

.

MacrouThe 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.

MacrouThe 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!

MacrouStick 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

DidadiDidadi is a song, rhythm, and dance

from the Wassoulou region of Mali.

DidadiDidadi 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.

DidadiStick 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-liG C E G G E G C E A A

E

TakambaTakamba is a style of

rhythm and dance performed by the Tuareg and Sanghai people of Niger and Mali.

TakambaThe 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

TakambaStick 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-baG 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

MiyaabeleMiyaabele is from Senegal

MiyaabeleMiyaabele 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!

MiyaabeleLow Drums with sticks: Mi-yaa-bele Mi-yaa-bele Mi-yaa-bele Let’s all

play the

Low Xylophones: Mi-yaa-bele Mi-yaa-beleC E G C E G

Hand drums: Is Fun to play Is fun to playHigh 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 Susu are located in the western coastal region of Guinea which is where the rhythm comes from.

The Yankadi is a rhythm traditionally from the Susu ethnic group.

.

YankadiThe 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.

YankadiThe 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!

YankadiLow Drums with sticks: Gui-neaGui-nea Gui-neaLow Xylophones: Called Yan-ka-di Called Yan-ka-di

E G E A E G E A

Hand drums: play the beat from the SusuHigh 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

MakossaMakossa is a celebration rhythm played in

Burkina Faso.

MakossaMakossa’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!

MakossaStick Drums: This song is Ma-kos-sa It comes

from Af-ri-caLow 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-saHigh 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