DRUMMER CAFE - Community Forum

Hello,  I would like to learn some african minimalist polyrhythms.

Anybody can give me an idea about african polyrhythms and their applications to jazz, funk or latin?

Are there any sources/books where I can learn about this rhythms and their applications?

I've heard they are very good for developing a foundation on drums. 

Thanks!! 

 

Just suggested these books to another cafe member...  I highly recommend them.
I've learned a few of these rhythms, including the Bembe and Nanigo and these seems closest.  If you don't already have this under your belt, I'd recommend a book like AFRO-CARIBBEAN & BRAZILIAN RHYTHMS FOR DRUMSET (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0897245741/drummercafe-20/002-9655860-1974438?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2).  It's a good intro to this stuff.  And if you really want a good one try the Complete Modern Drum Set by Frank Briggs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786668342/drummercafe-20/002-9655860-1974438?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2) from Mel Bay - make sure get the one with the DVD (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007WHAPY/drummercafe-20/002-9655860-1974438?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2) - Frank is amazing.

Those are great books, and an extention of African rhythms but for true African stuff there is a book out, I beleive it is simply called "West African Rhythms for drumset". This is a great book and explains real tribal African Rhythms, study this book and you will very quickly see how all of this relates to jazz.

Thanks Eardrum for trying to help out. I do already have "afro-cuban rhythms for the drumset" It is a great book, but with a focus on Cuban and Clave related rhythms.  Not on west african stuff. 

Thanks Hammertown I will check out "west african rhythms for the drumset"  It might be a good staring point. 

Thanks!

There are books on Mbalax and Bikutsi as well.

Books are fine -- but you really need to listen to the music.  It's a language, and you're got to hear it as you learn to speak it.

listening to the music goes without saying, for sure, but he did mention that he needs to first learn the polyrhythms, which by listening alone would be way over his head......really he needs to do both.

Wel ek kan julle altyd Afrikaans leer praat, maar ek is seker dit sal nie help met die "african rythms" nie. Komplimente van die enigste afrikaaner wat belangstel in dromme en die internet - blykbaar !!

It is strange how people from the first worlds want to learn african beats and stuff, and yet there is not even one "african" represented on this forum. Not even me, and I am a true "south african". I have obviously alot of african influences, but not to the extend where I can be of any help to a professional drummer. Maybe one day when I learn to play drums properly     ;D



REDant

I know there quite a few "representatives" for Africa here in the USA. One such individual would be the late Babatunde Olatunji, whom I was fortunate to study with a bit. Babatunde really pioneered the whole African educational thing here in the USA.

Much of the African tradition is taught by hands on ... no pun intended. Afro-Cuban and North/South Indian drumming styles were the same way, but are now fairly well documented. In my opinion, the African drumming traditions are behind these others, perhaps as much as ten years. With the Internet, DVD, etc., I see the African tradition very quickly being fully exploited, just like Afro-Cuban and Indian styles.

It is interesting, however, that most of the text book teachings on all of these ethnic styles tend to be written by caucasians. It may be due to the economic/education variable ... who knows.

Anyway ... I do hope that our community expands to include all ethnic groups ... and to have a educational representation from each culture present.