Learning Mode vs. Playing Mode
59 Views0 Comments132 Likes
At times, we're too heady while playing, affecting timing, flow, spontaneity, and the general feeling of the music. What Happens? Deep thought and analysis help us gain a better understanding of djembe music. (W...
Quickly Improve Your Accompaniment
50 Views0 Comments57 Likes
Broadly speaking, there are two areas of djembe playing that we can always improve on so that the music just keeps getting better and better all the time: Accompaniment Solo. We discuss solo in this...
Slowly, Slowly The Bird Builds Its Nest…
21 Views0 Comments36 Likes
Originally published August 2005 by Jeremy Chevrier on his Djembe Essays Blog. You cannot learn the djembe overnight. This is impossible. Djembe is a lifetime learning experience. You can never stop learning wi...
Don’t Tell the Master to Wipe Your Ass
26 Views0 Comments35 Likes
Originally published August 2004 by Jeremy Chevrier on his Djembe Essays Blog. Never judge a person before you know them. I have heard so many incredible stories from Abdoulaye regarding embarrassing inc...
The “Ripping” and “Shredding” of Traditional Djembe
23 Views0 Comments34 Likes
Originally published August 2004 by Jeremy Chevrier on his Djembe Essays Blog. People play djembe for a variety of reasons. Some play for fun. Some play because they want to show off. Some play to attract a mat...
Solo Rides
32 Views0 Comments31 Likes
Solo Rides are solo phrases that are like accompaniment patterns. In modern ensembles, they sometimes become "accompaniment #2," "accompaniment #3," or "accompaniment #4," but they were originally played by the so...
4 Hand Clapping Patterns In Djembe Music
30 Views0 Comments31 Likes
Hand clapping really adds a lot to djembe music. Unlike percussion music from some other parts of the world, I've noticed the hand clapping in djembe music is on the beat for the most part. It's not too complex, b...
There is Only One Mande
18 Views0 Comments31 Likes
Originally published August 2004 by Jeremy Chevrier on his Djembe Essays Blog. Many people in the djembe community are talking about “Guinea Style”, “Mali Style”, “Senegalese Style”, etc. It seems that separati...
GOOD NEWS! You’ll Never Know the Djembe!
22 Views1 Comments31 Likes
Originally published August 2004 by Jeremy Chevrier on his Djembe Essays Blog. Absolutely. It is nice to know that our studies of this drum and African culture have no end. This means that if you are having fun...
A Theme-Based Approach to Soloing
60 Views2 Comments29 Likes
The difference between a phrase-based and theme-based approach to djembe is profound. It may be one of the biggest reasons why many students will never sound like their African teachers - no matter how long or har...
Intro To Active Accompaniment
392 Views1 Comments28 Likes
"Active Accompaniment" describes a style of advanced dynamic accompaniment playing we hear in Roots Djembe music. It has to do with the presence and priorities of the accompanist. A player who plays Active...