Mamady Keita 2007Taipei workshop

[karlinthevalley]

Hey, "his wife" has a name you know. It's Monette Marino, an experienced percussionist in her own right..

[hejinghan]

@karlinthevalley

thanks

[onespiritful1]

Super spectacular awesome drumming, this is real drumming from out of this world. This is some deep drumming. Thank you for sharing this video and please make and share more. Thank you to both of you and God Bless

[onespiritful1]

Super workshop and the beat go's on. Top performance. God Bless

[fred1fr2london]

Amazing ...speechless

[KillinDaWelfareMCs]

One of the posters has raised a good question that I do not know the answer to. Do West African drummers traditionally play odd time signatures besides 3/4?

[shango1963]

@KillinDaWelfareMCs

First off, he came in here comparing the Djembe and the Tabla, two distinctly different traditions. If he really wanted to know the answer, there are plenty of Guinea Djembe players available. Ask or take a class. Second, if this is not to your liking, why continue asking questions about a tradition you clearly find not to your liking nor respect?

[sotsra3739]

@KillinDaWelfareMCs

The 25 year musician many blessings to you... because if you feel the need to post such nonsense about the complexity or simplicity of African music you have wasted 25 years of training! 2 things : would you question the African Miles Davis for belting out one note for for 4 bars or the African John Coltrane for screaming through scales without apparent regard for how complex or simple it may sound to listeners? Mr.Indian research the origins of  Tabla, and change your MIND

[KillinDaWelfareMCs]

I have studied many world traditions of drumming and i love them all. I just read the thread and have to agree however that wider time signatures offer a greater feeling of rythmic exctasy. . Three-quarter and four-four times are very common and I can see how some people could find them a little tired after a while.

[shango1963]

@KillinDaWelfareMCs

Then there is no need for them to remain. If it bores them so much, why would they remain? Your greater exctasy comment is matter of opinon, nothing more. Africans have been using these traditions for centuries, and have managed to acquire all of the extactic spiritual rsults required within the cultures. Because some foreigner finds no interest in them is pointless-who cares...? This tradition does not need the approval of a foreigner to validate its significance.

[CushiticSomalianMale]

music originated and most deffinetly evolved in africa by nile valley african abOriginals..

and dont be suprised africa is also the home to the earliest humans... africans... and thats facts no body even bothers to deny unless offcourse you just jelous.. lol

[vandervas]

hahaha ^^

[MrSubhanallah]

Thanks for posting. African drumming by Mamady keita at his best!

[geckotrouble]

swore i mean. oops :P

[geckotrouble]

the man at 2:00 score at him :O

[Crack61]

esta mostrando su tecnica

[MichiHenning]

> Tabla we play, 4 beat, 3 beat , 5 beat 6 beat , 7 beat , 8 beat, 9 beat , 10 beat , 11 beat , ect...cycles of rythm.

> does djembe offer enlightend beats or just the basics like this demo.

You can play any time signature on a djembe, including the enlightened ones. But West African drumming does not normally use odd meters. The common signatures are 4/4, 12/8, and, occasionally, 9/8.

The feel of West African drumming is different: earth energy, much less cerebral than table rhythms.

[TerrierBram]

African drumming is a unrealistic semantic. In Sabaar one plays triols of triols. However Djembe is rather new compared with Sabaar. But African drumming, come on....

[TriangleWitch]

TerrierBram, what do you mean "unrealistic semantic"?

[TerrierBram]

Pfew, that's a year ago. In the mean time I really learned what semantic means, lol. Anyway, was experimenting with the word.

What I meant is that many rhythms, like on Talking drum or Sabaar just need to be played. Don't try to understand it. Hear it, play it. One has to master it by feeling in the moment now. The commenter here is somewhat belittling about Djembé. And a bit stupid. Because there is enough material found on YouTube, also a year ago to figure out how enlighten it can be.

[TriangleWitch]

@MichiHenning, African drumming is more spiritual, and meant to be heard from miles away, even if the drum dosn't seem that loud, the sound carries for a long distance. The idea also, is to have soul. It' is used raise energy.

[aleksandrailic]

arytmiczny jest :D

[pritpalc]

does djembe drunning play other time signatures.

I am a tabla player.

does african drumming like this play other time signatures.

in Tabla we play, 4 beat, 3 beat , 5 beat 6 beat , 7 beat , 8 beat, 9 beat , 10 beat , 11 beat , ect...cycles of rythm.

exxmple a beat in 1 3/4 time would be a 7 beat cycle

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

t t tk dn n dn n

taal rupak.

does djembe offer enlightend beats or just the basics like this demo.

[TerrierBram]

In Holland we say that one doesn't compare apples with citrons.

[TerrierBram]

Or just basics like this ... you should be ashamed of your self.

[TriangleWitch]

There is nothing basic here, though dhembe dose often get a lot more complex.

But if you were a real musician, you would know that that isn't the point. Music isn't about fancy tricks, it's what you can create with your skill.

And this man has that.

[pritpalc]

As a hand drummer 4/4 rhythms are a little boring and redundant. So I was asking if traditional african rythms dabble in more complex cycles because I have not seen any examples. This kind of rythm is very easy to play for me on the djembe I got last year.

[kbnovitch]

@pritpalc

How can you say that. To play it alone,yes, that's easy. But if you real know the technics, you're gonna find it difficult. Because djembe is more than play the instrument self, it's about the feeling, not how you play

[pritpalc]

and you can change the feeling by playing different time signatures.

but apparently traditional djembe does not offer that experience, only 4/4 3/4 times.

[shango1963]

@kbnovitch

And you can't even play it properly enough if you don't know the Malinke-Bamana language.

[TriangleWitch]

Can you play it good? Real talent is in how well you can play, and what you can create.

Doing tricks dose not make you a musician. Why don't you make a video of you playing this rhythm and post it, and let's see.

[TriangleWitch]

There is more to the djembe than just hitting the drum, a child can do that. Their are different strokes used to get the different sounds. To get each of the sounds you have to hit the drum in the right way for each sound.

Can you do all the strokes? Do you know even how the drum should be tuned? Do you even know what to look for in a good pro. quality instrument? or do you have a cheep imitation made outside of West Africa? (only the West African ones are made to get the right sound)

[pritpalc]

I can make all the sounds and actually play the djembe better than most people i've ever met. Mine was made in Ghana. I've been playing hand drums for over 25 years and am a master Indian Tabla player (I'm Indian). So tuning, quality, technique are not the issue for me. I know about tuning and quality from my experience with my other drums.

[pritpalc]

con't..

The limitation to 4/4 time or 3/4 time in traditional djembe rythms is my issue. In tabla we are way more complex with our rythms. The Indian rythm system more advanced. So my origional post was to find out why I have not seen or heard anything other than 4/4 or 3/4 times? Now I know that the traditional rythms are just not that complex. Even Arabic darbouka goes into odd time rythms, but apparently not Djembe.

[jsog1]

@pritpalc

Complexity in rythm does not defines its richness. It's all about expressing what's

in your soul. Most jazz is in 4/4 and rythmic structures can still be complex if you want to. Listen to Mamady's sensitivity, they're is nothing like it. Indian music rythm could be more advanced, but your interpretation of one of the greatest djembe players is surely basic.

[pritpalc]

It does not define its richness but it defines its rhythmical prowess.

Even boring 4/4 time is entrancing to the uninitiated.

[jsog1]

@pritpalc I agree indian music is much more complex. There is also prowess in stimulating and communicating emotions through music. There are many ways to analyse music. Bob Dylan, for example, is one of america's best folk signer was always in 4/4, and not many chords but you felt like he was right next to you when singing. His emotions were precise. That is a form of prowess (to my opinion). I'd say that Mamady Keita's container is rude and with little facets, but the content is rich.

[shango1963]

@jsog1

First of all, who solicited your Indian music comparison? Second, you know squat about the Djembe. You see a youtube video of an intro to the tradition and become an instant expert.

[jsog1]

@shango1963

I'm not the one who first made up that comparison. Read up before going all out. How come you can tell what I know about the djembe? I never pretended I was an expert. I just stated my opinions and why are you so defencive? I was defending Mamady Keita's music from a guy who that Indian music was "superior". It almost sounds like you replied to the wrong person. Chill out ;)

[shango1963]

@jsog1

Pritpalc was the intended recipient. I don't know how you were hit up. Anyway, no, with reference to my cultural practices being ignorantly criticized by an idiot (Pritpalc), I will not chill out. Perhaps you should've asked me if I were directing my attack at you before you launched into your own. Accidents happen, my friend.

[jsog1]

@shango1963

I didn't launched an attacked. simply asked questions.

Concerning your argument with Pritpalc, I totally understand and encourage you not to chill out. Peace.

[shango1963]

@jsog1

Then go to the indian music youtube video series. Why are you here. Your pompous ignorance knows no bounds and is unwanted.

[pritpalc]

@shango1963. Why am I here? I had asked a question because I had inherited a Djembe that I was learning to play. I was curious why no one could show me more advanced time signatures. I have since learned that they don't exist in this form of music and that it is traditionally limited to 3/4 and 4/4 times

Those are just the facts. I am not dissing your culture, just making an observation. 

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

Pritpalc, if you prefer Tabla's "complexity," stick with that. Since you have not spent years learning the Djembe, then it will be difficult for you to appreciate its depth. Africa does not give up her secrets easily, and definately not because someone thinks he/she are entitled to know them (Africa's cultural complexities/"secrets"). If you do not speak the Malinke-Bamana language, for example, that is another strike against attempting to learn the complexities of this tradition.

[pritpalc]

@shango1963 The only language I need to know is Gun Dhun Go Do Pa Ta you mean...

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

Now that you have the answers you say you need, there is no reason for you to still be here, correct? To stay after you have satisfied your question is illogical. This tradition does not have what you need, so may release your burden of having to remain. This African tradition will try to make it without you.

[pritpalc]

@shango1963 Who the hell are you the internet police? Nobody has the right here to ask anyone else to leave anything here, including you.

FYI I only respond when someone comments directly to me, so yes YOU are the reason that I even came back to this page over the last week.

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

Yes, I'm the internet police. You came back because you have nothing better to do. Next time you want to act like an expert, challange Mamady himself with your claims, and post it on youtube. That is the credible way to do it. Affrican drumming practices are not here for your personal pleasures or dislikes. You don't like it, move on.

[pritpalc]

@shango1963 Your intimidation and pressure will not work on me. If anyone else posts anything to me I will respond, I have that freedom here. If the poster of this video did not want me to comment they could put restrictions on it. This video IS here for my pleasure or dislike. There is even a thumbs up/down for me to express my opinion. You clearly have no idea how Youtube works. Get over your delusions of being the internet police, if you can't you should see a Psychiatrist.

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

I simply recognize your behavior for what it is. You have a desrespect for the tradition. Neither you or anyone else will diss my culture unchallenged. If you were really that interested in an answer (not that anyone in the tradition owes you one), you would ask a Djembe drummer expert enough to answer the question. In fact, there are plenty of Guinea Djembe drummers available to answer the question.

[KillinDaWelfareMCs]

@shango1963 I don't think anything that person had to say was in contempt.

If you follow their thread they asked about more diverse African time signatures...

and as of right now nobody has been able to provide them with a west afrcan rythem that is more complex than 3/4 or 4/.4 ..

so put up or shut up and realize that your tradition is rudimentary.

[shango1963]

@KillinDaWelfareMCs

Precisely my point (your "rudimentary comment"). No African involved with any African tradition cares what you or the other fool thinks. If you are really concerned, speak your mind freely to Mamady. These traditions exist on their own merit without the need to be validated by you or anyone else.

[shango1963]

@shango1963

You nor anyone else has any right to demand anything involved herein, nor do have the expertise to know even where to begin to ask questions about the tradition until you have apprenticed in it and have a firm foundation from which to ask a question.

If you have the answers to your "questions," and find it beneath you, why do you stay? Again, illogical.

[shango1963]

@KillinDaWelfareMCs

You made the attack, so the onus is on you. You put up or shut up: Challange Mamady, or a Guinea Djembe expert of his calliber/lineage, and post the results here. You make an attack, back it up.

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

And, certainly, one should not think that such nuances/complexities will be revealed in a Youtube video subscription. If there are rituals and apprenticeship practices associated with this tradition, why would one believe that one could gain access to the intricacies of such a tradition by simply "asking" for it. And despite what you have said in your last response...

[pritpalc]

@shango1963 Who is asking for any of that...

I just wanted to know if thier are time signatures beyond the common 4/4 and 3/4?

I didnt ask to be revealed any other secrets...

And again apparently there are no other time signatures...

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

Your "critique" appears more of an attack against the concept that this tradition is complex, relative to Tabla, then any casual appreciation of the video footage. Was there an attack against the Tabla, relative to the Djembe, on this thread of which I am not privy? If not, your "critique" is unwarranted, unsolicited and out of place.

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

Good...Now that you have "learned" this (your Malinke teacher for years is...?), there is nothing else for you to see (nor learn) here.

[shango1963]

@pritpalc

You're a master of your mouth only. You have not leanred enough under ANY AFRICAN teacher to be making the "expert on African drumming cmmentary" you're making.

[pritpalc]

@shango1963 I'm not an expert of african drumming. But I am an expert of complex rythmic patterns. In my opinion african rythms are limited based upon what I have seen. I never hear odd time signatures. If any they are only 3/4 time.

So my issue is...if african drumming is limited to 4/4 and 3/4 time signatures, why? If African rythms are more diverse where are they? Why are there no videos of complex odd time signatures beyond 3/4?

[mosaico2000]

spero che la tua missione continui per sempre e che i bimbi continuino la tua strada W Guinea

[alejitojose]

aguante mamady

[MiamiAfricanDrummer]

shit...I AM HUMBLED

[iseeyoutoo2]

i need to tune my drum...

[soulstargy]

oh my goodness..amazing

[jackiooo]

omg this video is so hot ..i shit my pants in his awesomeness ..O_O...hes amazin

[drunkenplumber15]

Good thing there is no shortage of Goats.

[camiloin]

una manera impresionante de disociar las cosas, tanto la mente como el cuerpo. tambor ancestral, mamady keita sin igual.

[rafal18a]

to moje życie

[Dreadjembe]

there's about 4 different tones of slap, wondering how much control there of them?

[woyo75]

Zaoli!!!! big respect il maitrise ce rythm gouro parfaitement. mamady est le best

[wadoma]

I think Zaoli must be Mamady's all-time favorite rhythm. He always teaches that one. Anyway, he's still a badass. Thanks for sharing.

[KamauFola]

goodness dat drum is nice and tuned

[TKALAT971]

merci

[jamalej65]

A testament to the spirit of the ancesters and the universe...

What a wonderful master.

thx for posting.