Decoding The Kuku Rhythm for Djembe The Djembe is a goblet-shaped drum originally used by the Maninke people of West KEY: Africa since around the 1300s. The Djembe was traditionally played by men but in the year 2000 Mamoudou Conde included two female players in the ballet ‘Les KEY: Djembe FLAM RH Percussions de Guinée’ bringing female players to the forefront.
KEY:
KEY:
TONE FLAM
LH RH
BASS TONE LH FLAM RH SLAP BASS TONE LH FLAM RH The Rhythm we are going to explore in this lesson is called the ‘Kuku' which is commonly SLAP BASS TONE LH played on the Djembe. We’re going to look at it on1. the and how we can translate the TheDjembe Call SLAP rhythm to a traditional drum set. (A basic knowledge of BASS the Djembé is advised.)
1. The Call 1 +
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2a. 1 The +Rhythm 2 - Djembe + 31 1
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2b. The Rhythm - Djembe 2
2b. The Rhythm - Djembe 2 +
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2b. The Rhythm - Djembe 2 1
2b.1The Rhythm + 2 - Djembe + 32 1
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3. The Ending Call 3. The Ending 1 + 2Call +
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PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
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∞ You can loop this as many times as you like but when ending keep the ‘Djembe 2’ rhythm going whilst doing ‘The Ending Call’.
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2a. The Rhythm - Djembe 1
2a. The Rhythm - Djembe 1
∞ Here we get a little more adventurous, we play the ‘Djembe 2’ rhythm between our kick drum and our hi-hat foot!
RH
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2a.1The Rhythm 1 + 2 - Djembe + 3
∞ Then we have the ‘Djembe 1’ rhythm played between the floor tom, rack tom and snare.
FLAM TONE
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1.1The Call +
∞ Firstly we have ‘The Call’ which is played on the snare. Make sure the flam and accents are clean and clear!
KEY:
SLAP 2
1. The Call 1
by Vanessa Dominique
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Now that we are familiar with the rhythms on the Djembe, let’s move onto the kit one pattern at a time. TIP: Before attempting the different voicing’s on the kit, play everything on the snare.
ISSU E 22: TH E TOU RIN G ISS UE
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