1 Djembe – Konkoni.org

Ngri : Rainer Polak, Gerhard Kero

October 2, 2018

Ngri : Mady Keita

Mady Keita plays Ngri for his drum students in Australia.

February 24, 2017

This is a clean Bamako version of Suku (Soli Rapide) with clear language and minimal embellishments. Issou (Student of Matche Traore, and son to Michael Tivier of Wassoulou Percussions) plays through a sequence twice – the second time is faster with more force. We like this video because: This video is good for studying. The […]

December 13, 2015

Mendiani : Madou Sako

This is a clean, solid rendition of Mendiani by Madou Sako and one dundun player on ballet style dunduns. Madou’s playing is really tasty. In this video, he plays pure, no-frills Mendiani without making it dry and boring. It’s very interesting to watch his basses in this video. Some cool stuff going on there. He […]

May 1, 2015

Maraka : Mady Keita

Mady Keita goes through many root solo phrases for Maraka in this demonstration with Matche Traore playing konkoni. It’s a great video to study because the phrasing is very clear, even if it is somewhat dry.

April 26, 2015

Ngri : Seydou Balo

Seydou Balo (deceased) plays a great demonstration of Ngri during a class held at the Djembe Hotel in Bamako, Mali. Seydou is from the Wassoulou region of Mali, and so is this rhythm, Ngri. He plays Ngri with a flavor that’s different from the way Bamako musicians play it today. Only Seydou plays djembe in this […]

April 10, 2015

Mendiani : Adama Coulibaly

If you haven’t seen this yet, watch it now! Adama plays an awesome rendition of Mendiani in Kangaba, Mali. We like this video because: Kangaba is in the heart of Mande. This video shows a “Mali version” of Mendiani, smack dab in its native habitat. Adama is obviously very comfortable with Mendiani. It’s great to see […]

December 8, 2014

Bamanafoli : Matche Traore

Matche Traore demonstrates Bamana Foli at the Djembe Hotel in Bamako, Mali. We like this video because: We haven’t found too many videos of Bamanafoli being played. The djembe and dundun playing for this rhythm are pretty similar to Suku. You may also hear this dundun part played as a variation inside of Suku sometimes. Matche […]

August 30, 2014

Suku : Seny Toure

Seny runs through a sequence of clean, clear phrasing for Suku a couple of times. Then he loosens up a bit and plays some impromptu variations on the foundation he has just set. Great study video! Seny mostly uses hand-over-hand playing technique throughout. The phrasing he uses is a bit modern, but clearly rooted in the essence […]

August 18, 2014

Mendiani : Adama Keita

Adama Keita plays 3 base solo phrases for Mendiani. First he plays alone. Then, later in the video, he plays variations with an ensemble. Adama plays the phrases clearly and repeats for a while, so the beginning of this video is useful for someone wanting a clear example of that infamous 3 on 4 Mendiani solo.

May 3, 2014