Product Description

The Djembe Guide is a resource book for anyone involved with the Djembe, from novice players to the leaders and members of intermediate level groups.

The Djembe Guide assumes no prior knowledge of the djembe, or of music, but guides the reader carefully on a deliberate course of learning, from first steps and simple exercises, through easy patterns for small groups, and on to playing genuine West-African multi-part rhythms in a drumming ensemble.

Rhythms and exercises are presented in a clear, easy to understand system, developed specially for this book, combining elements of oral tradition and simple tablature, so you don't have to read musical score.

It includes chapters on the background to this fascinating drum, and its recent rise to popularity outside the homelands of West Africa, and gives advice on finding, tuning, and maintaining a drum of your own.

The Djembe Guide is the product of five trips to West Africa, and more than twelve years of drumming experience by the author in community groups, performance groups, public classes, and in education. With its enclosed CD, simple tablature and profuse illustrations, The Djembe Guide really works to get you drumming, and is the next best thing to a personal tutor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #150132 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 106 pages

Customer Reviews

Highly comprehensive book and CD package.
A 104-page glossy A4 book with more than 125 photos and rhythm charts and a 31 track CD. It has chapters on the background of the djembe in and out of Africa, choosing and maintaining a drum, introduction to the basic strokes, exercises for one person, exercises for small groups, plus 12 full West African rhythms in up to nine parts for more advanced groups. Support instruments (djundjun, bells, shakers etc) are clearly explained and included in the rhythms. With advice on how to practice and listen, and a very easygoing step by step design, it contains a deliberate course of learning from first steps to advanced playing, using a combination of rhythm grid tablature and West African oral teaching, so you don't have to read music. Also contains a series of photos af djembes being made in the Gambia.

Ianto is a brilliant teacher
I saw Ianto teach at the RNCM day of percussion 2002!- no, I didn't go up as a volunteer- whcih I regretted as when I had my Djembe (which I bought, having been inspired) I didn't have a clue! but, with Ianto's clear and succinct language and excellent rhythms, I soon found it simple to grasp and enjoy.