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African Drums and Rhythms

Information Sheet

AFRICA is a continent of rhythm and dance. Before it was colonised by the European nations in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was divided into different empires and kingdoms. Each had their own traditions, songs and drums. The DJEMBE (jem-bay) was the drum of the the Mandinke people, from the great West African Mali Empire of the 12th century, situated in the present-day countries of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal and Gambia. It has become the most widely played of all African instruments.

Today, as before, it is used to celebrate times of importance in village life such as baptism, weddings, full moons, harvest etc, and through the popularity of world music, it's appeal is spreading on a daily basis.

The DJEMBE is a "goblet" shaped drum with a skin (usually goat) stretched over one end. It is played with the hands as part of a group of drums. The other drums in this group are cylindrical and have cow skin heads. Played with a large stick, they come in three sizes and are called the kenkeni (smallest & highest), the sangban (middle) and the dundunba (biggest and lowest). A bell is played at the same time, completing the ensemble.

Traditional West African Rhythms are normally "polyrhythms". This means that there are 4 or 5, and sometimes even 6 or 7 different parts that go together to make each rhythm, and they are often accompanied by singing and a dance. Most rhythms are played for specific occasions, some are mask dances - others are played only at football matches!

Rhythms include: Kakilambe, Liberte, Dimbadun, Soko, Soca, Koukou, African Rhumba, Tiriba, Babobo, Yankadi, Kpanlogo, Yole, Cassa, Sorsonet, Mandiani, Doundounba, Fanga, Diagbe, Fankani, Marakadon, Soli, Abondon. - Plenty to learn, you see!

Other drums from Africa include: Sabar, Bougarabou, Frontonfrom, Atumpan, Apentema, Apetia, Bobo, Brekete, Atsimevu, Sogo, Kidi, Kagan, Kroboto, Totodzi, Kpanlogo, Oslama, Kete, Kurukutu, Sakara, Togo, Bada, Bata and Talking Drums.

How to play the djembe.

There are three main notes played on the djembe.

1) The BASS, played with the flat of the hand in the middle of the drum - a deep "booming" sound.
2) The TONE, played with the bottom pads of the fingers towards the edge of the drumskin, fingers outstretched - a "thick" note.
3) The SLAP, played by striking the edge of the drum with the palm of the hand and allowing the fingers to "flap" into the drumskin - a "sharp, dry, cracking" sound. Like the tone, this takes a while to get right.

Most West African djembe rhythms are a combination of these three notes. The arm bends at the elbow and not at the wrist. This gives more power and greater control. Don't forget to take rings off first!

The CALL is played by the lead djembe player. As the name suggests, it calls everybody into the rhythm, shows them where to start and at what speed they should play. It is also used to draw the song to a close, and sometimes to bring a change of rhythm in the middle of the song.

The other thing to bear in mind is the tempo, which can change dramatically during the song. Usually, we start slowly and speed up either gradually or at a given point. This is called the echauffement (literally "heating up"), and can result in some very fast playing towards the end!

Above all, the most important thing about African Drumming is to have FUN. You hardly ever see someone playing drums without a big smile on their face. It's something you can do on your own, or in a group (or "circle"), loudly or quietly, fast or slow - it doesn't matter. Once you get the knack of playing, you won't want to stop. And the more you play, the better you'll get.

So ENJOY YOURSELF!!

Rhythm Notation.

Traditionally, West African rhythms were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. More recently, various ways of writing down rhythms have been devised. All show the order the different notes are played in, but my favourite shows which hand to use as well. If you are left-handed, just change left for right. Here's an example.

African Rhumba.

B - Right hand bass b - Left hand bass
T - Right hand tone t - Left hand tone
S - Right hand slap s - Left hand slap
x - Gap

Djembe 1 b x T t B x S x b x T t B x S x

Djembe 2 x x S s x x S s x x S s T t S s

Dunduns - Only Dundunba and Sangban in this particular song.

D - Dundunba S - Sangban 0 - Bell

D x x x S x S x D x x x S x S x

Bell x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0

Call - Djembe Ss x S s x S x s S x T t T t x x

Simon G Spare
C/o Northfield Bungalow
Farnham Lane
Langton Green
Tunbridge Wells
TN3 0DJ
01892 862452
07905 469295
simon.spare@virgin.net

For more information on drumming workshops and Drumfire performances please contact Simon. See details above. Drumfire support Fair Trade Percussion Instruments at Natural Flow Direct

We are Drumfire, an african drum and dance group from the UK and Gambia. Now based in Bexhill and Hastings, the core band members - Trish Walmsley, Julian Humphries, Ed Collins, Deborah Kelly, Tony Collie, Emmett Ives, Kim, Emma and Simon Spare - have performed traditional West African rhythms and dances together for over five years in venues along the south coast and at events such as Hastings Carnival 2004, Rye Bonfire and the Earth Spirit Festival.

We share a passion for playing and have many years of drumming and dance experience between us.

We also teach drumming and dance to children of all ages at a number of schools around East Sussex, either on a one-off demonstration basis or at hands-on weekly sessions, as a group or individually, and are continuing to "spread the word" on the benefits of group drum circles through performances, facilitated events and regular workshops.

Recent workshops have taken place at:

Temple Grove, Nr Uckfield
King Offa, Bexhill
All Saints, Sidley
Burwash CE Primary

Most of us are CRB police checked for working in schools and we jump at the chance to communicate our enthusiasm for drum-music and performance to new schools and groups of students.

Drumfire
Northfield Bungalow
Farnham Lane
Langton Green
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN3 0DJ
07905 469295
simon.spare@virgin.net

Natural Flow Drumming
- excitement for life -
COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLES

Natural Flow support Fair Trade Percussion Instruments - Natural Flow Direct

Ever wonder what it would be like to be able to share a sense of harmony, well-being, trust and companionship with a group of like-minded people? This is the experience of a Community drum circle.

Fun, entertainment, stress relief, healing, creativity, improved confidence and self-esteem, mental clarity and focus are all experiences to be gained through rhythmical communion, by drum circle participants. rhythm...

Rhythm is timeless, a universal language inherent in our selves, and found everywhere in the world around us, from the beating of our hearts to the flow of our breath, from the tapping of our fingers to the shuffling of our feet. Rhythm draws us together to connect. drum circles...

Are available within the general community, or for specified events such as:
...schools & colleges - youth centres - kids at risk

Drum Circles provide space and freedom for young people to creatively channel and release pent-up emotions or frustrations, which are a natural part of growing up. It is a fun, high-energy activity, which provides immediate satisfaction and enjoyment. ...
corporate team building - conferences

Drum circle activities have been demonstrated to create or enhance positive team dynamics within a very short period of time. This can be useful as a warm up activity, as it then allows other facilitators to achieve more success with follow-up work.

In terms of group dynamics, comparisons can often be seen between the drum circle and the work team. For example: co-operation/competition, individual/group contribution or needs, effective/dysfunctional communication, leaders/followers.
...women's groups
group

Provides a safe and supportive environment, encourages a sense of community and enables women to express themselves creatively
...well elderly
...personal growth groups
...private parties
...festivals
...community/social events

Whatever category or environment you choose, participation in Drum Circles encourages greater self-expression and creativity, helps build stronger communication skills through cooperation and enhances one's self confidence and self-esteem.

If you would like more information or to make and enquiry about African drumming and drum circles please feel free to either contact us via email at enquiries@naturalflowdirect.com

Gambian Beach Drumming

Its that time of year and the weather is starting to cool down. I am sitting here with my drum trying to imagine being back in the Gambia sitting on the beach with friends watching the sun go down as the mossies come out to play.

Why We Believe in Fair Trade!

If you could imagine the entire world population shrunk down to a village of just 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, what would we have? There would be:

57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Americas
8 Africans

52 would be female
48 would be male

70 would be non-Christan
30 would Christian

89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual

6 of the people would possess 59% of the village's wealth, and all six would be from the United States

80 would be living in sub-standard housing

70 would be unable to read

50 would suffer from malnutrition

1 would be near death
1 would be near birth

1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education

1 would own a computer

So, if you have food in the kitchen, clothes on your back, shelter and somewhere to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world's population. If you have money in the bank and some spare change, you are in the top 8% of the world's wealthiest people. And if you can read this, then you are luckier than the 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Natural Flow in India!

Our Fair Trade travels continue. We were in Goa from the middle of January for two weeks, 2006. Highlights included:

1. Meeting Sona from Karnataka
2. Trish having intensive Tabla Drum lessons
3. Seeing a live open air dance performance of Kathakali

Goa - 12/01/06 - 27/01/06

1. Sona from Karnataka

We met Sona and her family at the regular night market, near Baga in Goa. We got on really well and saw her several times during our holiday. Karnatakan women are very stunningly dressed in their traditional clothes which are heavily decorated with mirrors, bead work, bells and hand-woven textile.

Trish with Sona on her market stall

2. Tabla lessons from the 'Master'!

We also met Shailendra early in our holiday. He is a Tabla teacher at local schools in Quitla and also a professional musician. Trish has always been interested inTabla so Shailendra agreed to give her 1-on-1 lessons intensively. We were really grateful to him as he was busy with his work but travelled for over an hour to get to where we lived. Shailendra was very patient in his teaching method, and became a good friend.

Anyone wanting lessons in Northern Goa can contact him on with the following details:

Shailendra Palni - 9822182958 (mobile), 08323950365 (home)

Shailendra putting Trish through her tabla paces...

Shailendra - 'Master' tabla player

3. Kathakali Dance

We had never heard of Kathakali, the classical dance form of Kerala. This particular dance form originated during the 17th century. Stories for the performance we saw were taken from epics called 'Ramayana and Mahabharatha'. The performance was recited by voice, accompanied by drum and cymbals in a unique rhythm. Kathakali artists undergo 8-10 years training in Kalari (school of arts). Kathakali is generally presented in temples from dusk until dawn during festivals. Particular aspects which we saw included:

• Traditional form of worship (Vandanan)
• Various types of eye movements (Kaanu Sadakam)
• Emotional face gestures (Navarasam)
• Hand gestures (Mudra)

The men 'transforming' themselves for the performance

Trish with lord Shiva (black face) and Arjuna (green face)

Africa Update: HELP NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need your help! Our African supplier of stunning Djembe drums and percussion, Mohammed, really needs your help...

Late last year our freight prices to transport our drums rose massively. So much so that our regular drum orders from West Africa (Gambia) have had to be temporarily put on hold! Does anyone know of any commercial carriers, either air freight or sea freight that could help us? Contact us on 01424-220688 or contact us via the website www.naturalflowdirect.com

Our drum 'family', Mohammed, Haja (his wife) and Isha (their daughter)

Mohammed's Djembe drums on sale at Pestallozi music festival, Hastings, UK, in 2005

David with the Chairman of East Sussex County Council John Barnes. "Buy With Confidence" awarded on September 22nd 2006.

Natural Flow Direct - Fair Trade Percussion Instruments now on eBay express

This new shop is for professional sellers and combines the fantastic servce of eBay with full e-commerce facilities and a shopping cart to make buying much more user friendly.

View Fair Trade items on eBay Express!