Jembe Rhythms

Posted by Blair Hornbuckle
Musical Director
Bush Mango Drum and Dance

These are vocal representations of music I teach in my weekly West African drum classes in Rochester, New York.

Listen to the pitch of the voice, with low, middle, and high notes representing bass, tone and slap on the jembe.

First make sure your computer speakers are turned up, then click
the play button to the right.

Feedback or requests? Email Blair.


Learn how to add audio messages
to your web site or email -- very
simply, by telephone. Click here.

We're very fortunate to have over 8,000 square feet of space devoted to learning West African jembe drum and dance. Hardwood floors, natural brick walls, & windows on three sides. Class sizes range from eight to 35 people, ages 5 years and up.
Tiriba — from the forest region of Guinea. Tiriba would be played to celebrate Nimba, a female fertility symbol of the Baga people. Three jembe parts plus dundunba, sangba, kenkeni.
Sources: Mamadouba Camara, Michael Markus.
Posted: 2003.10.26
Kakilambe — from the forest region of Guinea. Kakilambe is a male fertility symbol of the Baga people. Intro plus jembe & dundun parts.
Sources: M'baye Diagne.
Posted: 2003.10.29
Wolosodon — from Mali. I'm unsure of the ethnic group. I heard it being played in Senegal and accompanying a dramatization of the slaves being set free. This is a long pyramid of rhythms that starts with Wolosodon, and includes a little of each of Dundunba and Moribayassa at the end.
Source: Landing Diatta & Ballet Bougarabou.
Posted: 2004.02.18