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Author Topic: Advice for Djembe  (Read 580 times)
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MVanDoren1
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« on: April 19, 2004, 10:51 AM »

Its been years and years since I've played aux. percussion alongside an accoustic kit.  Currently I am one of the 3 kit drummers at church and we have another guy on the djembe.  What I'm interested in finding out (even if I need to purchase a book for him) are ideas that I could give him in playing alongside another drummer.  Most of the music is straight forward though I am trying to come up with "Special music" options to be played during times such as the taking up of an offering, etc.  This could allow more freedom of styles in the since that the musicians wouldn't have to be holding back on ideas or volume, etc. so as not to distract from the words.  I'm thinking in terms of poly rhythmic ideas between different drummers, etc.  Imagine a djembe in  a 4/4 pattern while the drummer and other musicans play in 5/4.  The idea being that everyone is playing a certain rhythm and laced underneath it is this djembe pattern which changes ever so slightly- almost imperceptably, as the end of each 5/4 phrase coincides with a different beat of the djembe's 4/4 pattern.
Maybe that explanation isn't clear enough and hence the possible need of advise on how to explain ideas to someone else.  I can show him the pattern to play, but I'm more concerned about helping him to free himself up to play more cohesively with other drummers.  I'd like him to see that he's playing with me one week and can count on my style of playing to allow him to play more freely whereas perhaps the next week there might be another drummer who really enjoys fills and the djembe perhaps needs to stay heavy on the back beat, etc.
As I understand basically a weak drummer (perhaps a beginner getting started in live playing) requires a really strong minded and focused aux. player.  Whereas a strong pocket player can give freedom to the aux. to be more colorful and a strong fill player would require the aux. to stay in the pocket, etc.
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« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2004, 05:53 PM »

Just make sure somebody's holding the groove at all times.  If you both try to "go off" at once, you could train wreck in the middle of a tune.

A little preplanning can prevent this.  One thing you can plan for is having one of you "hold the fort" while the other gets a little crazy.  Then you can both have some fun without screwing the tune up.  On other tunes, you can both groove with beats that work together, and drive the band hard.

While they're usually not played that way, a djembe does have kind of a basic drum kit built into it.  Kick drum - the bass note.  Snare -  The tone note.  Rim shot - the slap.  Your djembe player can mimic a lot of your basic beats if you want that.

One advantage with multipecussion is the fact that you have someone to support the tune, and carry it, if you mess up.

Good luck on your 4/4 - 5/4 idea.  That might be real cool, if everyone can avoid messing up.
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windhorse
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« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2004, 09:36 PM »

That's some pretty wicked polyrhythm construction you're thinking about there. We do a 4/4 interlaced with 5/4 on a Petro Haitian song occassionally. It's a war song "music to kill your neighbor by" meant to be played aggressively. The Segon (middle drum) stays solid in 4/4, and the Mamon (lowest tone lead drum) does a lead in 5/4. The thing that rips apart the rhythm is when the Bula (high drum) joins in 5/4. The pattern for the Bula is basically two treceo patterns back-to-back reversed. Somehow, that particular pattern is easy to twist a tiny bit and slide subtly, but very noticeably, into 5/4.

That 5/4 against 4/4 is simply wicked and pretty much rips the hearts right out of everyone close by.
Not sure that's the affect you're going for in a church,,, but then again, we're playing it at a very quick tempo.
Good luck!
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MVanDoren1
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« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2004, 07:14 AM »



That 5/4 against 4/4 is simply wicked and pretty much rips the hearts right out of everyone close by.
Not sure that's the affect you're going for in a church,,, but then again, we're playing it at a very quick tempo.
Good luck!


Nah-          Not exactly the idea I had in mind.  Basically I was rehearsing with our music minister on a couple tunes for special music options next month.  One was a song he'd written and had wanted to do for a long time but hadn't had the necessities till now and the other was an idea I was fishing for.  I knew we'd need to have a familiar tune- a popular hymn for example.  Rather than play it in its intended 4/4- change it up to a 5/4 pattern.  Congregation wouldn't be singing so lets just have some fun with this.   One could be done with little effort but its status quo- the other would take a lot of work from volunteers who aren't being paid for their time, etc. but would be something I can guarantee 90% of them would never have experienced befroe.  Now you tell me- which of the two fits the bill for "special" music?
Correct answer would actually be both.  They are each coming from the heart of those who want to do their best at what they are doing-

With the aux. player I'm thinking more along the lines of a song intro (the poly stuff)- 5 or 10 measures and we'd both be right back at the beginning where I could come out of the 5/4 into 4/4 time... stuff like that.
As for the aux. player normally- I'm sensing he'd like to do more than he is- but he'd need to understand and work with each drummer and their styles or they understand he, etc.
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windhorse
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« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2004, 07:45 AM »

Yeah, I see, just a little variation for a few moments. It'll create tension, but it can be cool in a jazzy sort of way.  Wink
I take it, this guy is a non-musician, and you're just wondering if he can hold down a part.
I've noticed that many entry-level drummers chose the djembe. In fact that's how I came in. So, you've got the biggest loudest drum and the beat is getting butchered.  Roll Eyes
It's only about now that I could play as auxiliary with some guys playing "real" music, and could maybe throw in some tasty rolls or off beats without sounding musically challenged.
I hope you guys don't get too frustrated.
I recommend you go for the pie-in-the-sky! Try the more difficult option and make it happen! Sure it's volunteer, but the journey itself is worth the attempt.. It's always fun to stretch and learn.  Smiley
Bueno Suerte
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Hollow a log into a drum.
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DaveMohn
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« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2004, 08:08 PM »

There are some good video clips on the Psalm Drummers site, familiar with it? www.psalmdrumerrs.org.
They have a video out demonstrating different techniques for djembe and other hand drums. If this guy just picked up the Djembe this could be real helpful, it was to me & I've been hitting one for a few years now.
Tell him the old adage. "Less is more" even in freedom can be sensitivity. Listening is real important, he should listen to other ensembles that use a percussionist. Listening spiritually (vertical) and to what's happening around you on the platform(horizontally)  looks like a revolving cross. Takes some doing but it works
Best to you and your team brother....
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Fed
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« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2004, 07:02 AM »

did't find any clips on that site...
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MVanDoren1
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« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2004, 07:35 AM »

Sorry for taking so long to get back- thanks for the tips.  I am familiar with psalm drummers but only by name- I don't believe I've visited that site or if I had it was a long while ago.  I like the name too.  Don't have any specific ideas in mind for a use, personally, right now but the name "Psalm Tree Groove" has sprung to mind lately as an idea I'd one day like to see come to pass.  It would involve a collection of worship avenues- perhaps a "Praise in the Park" idea where worship teams from different churches all converge for an afternoon/evening praise event with perhaps some teaching elements sprinkled in between worship sets from one church to the next.
I don't know but I think it would make for a cool event and a way for people who might not otherwise get the chance to step forward and present some ideas they've had in how church worship teams can work in a more cohesive manner.  I know that A LOT of inexperienced players out there are playing (and thats a good thing) in worship teams/services and would probably like some guidance or ideas in how to do things differently.  Maybe just for the possible contacts that could be made...

Anyway, our church has just purchased a conga set and I got to get to brushing up on technique I've lost from my high school jazz band days.  Trust me- not a lot to catch up on there but I'm looking forward to gleaning from the wisdom in these percussion threads as I've not been thinking along those lines for myself for quite a while
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