How to Play Djembe: West African Rhythms for Beginners (alan dworsky)

I have numerous types of percussion instruments including different drums in my personal musical collection. One of the smaller drums in my collection is a Djembe. It is not a full size one but sounds great. I have taken a few short courses in how to play the Djembe so when I recently purchased this 96 page manual (How to play the Djembe: West African rhythm for beginners by Alan Dworsky and Betsy Sansby) for a bargain price on Amazon I was familiar with the lessons.Like any skill activity no matter how good a book might be, the best combination is to take actual hands-on lessons along with studying the book. The reason this book was easy for me to understand is because I had taken actual lessons from an instructor; nevertheless, if you are seeking a good basic manual on how to play the Djembe you may want to check out this volume.This book covers the following material: understanding the charts, playing position, west African rhythms in four and the basic strokes, West African rhythms in six, tuning your Djembe, a glossary, sources for further study, and blank charts.This is a very good beginner’s manual for those learning how to play the Djembe.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Hanbo-Jutsu: How to use the cane, walking stick, and baton for self-defense).

Exceptionally compiled and organized. A perfect primer for the novice. I love how each lesson builds on the other. Combine this with his Secrets Of The Hands, Hal Leonard's How to Play Djembe, and daily practice and if available, a local class( mine meets at a senior center each week) and show up at community circles incorporating some of the patterns in your improvs, and, barring physical limitations, you will be light years ahead of most of show up at these circles within 2 years. The CD included most helpful as well as its often difficult to know if one has the rhythm/ groove down. The author has produced fine DVD's as well.

In general, this book/CD combination is great. The text of the book is clear, the authors' approach in starting with simple patterns and then adding to / subtracting from the simple pattern to arrive at the traditional pattern is very effective. The authors' present the material clearly and succinctly, and is paced very well. This book is a good resource for getting started on the djembe.There is only one thing that keeps me from giving this book/CD five stars.A previous reviewer says the CD allows you to hear what the "whole rhythm" is like, which isn't entirely true. The book doesn't address bell and djun-djun (bass drum) parts at all, and these parts are not present on the CD. These rhythms are incomplete with just the djembe parts. The book/CD never gives the student a complete view of what the African rhythms, as played by a proper ensemble, should sound like. I don't fault them for not teaching these parts, as this is a book about playing djembe, but much of the rhythm context is missing.With the excess space on the CD, the removal of the sample tracks from the "Jaguar..." album, and a bit of creative work, the authors should have been able to give the listener a taste of what the full rhythms sound like, even if only for a couple minutes each.I still recommend this book to the beginner, but recommend that the beginner seek another source as well that better emphasizes the whole of the rhythms.

There was no CD included.. Makes the book near worthless.

I have the Conga Book by the same authors and have been pleased with both. Their system of notation makes learning rhythms easy, and their helpful hints and comments enhance the learning experience.The CD is what truly makes this book 5 stars. It has a multitrack feature. You can adjust the balance on your stereo to hear one drum part at a time. I like to play one part while my stereo plays another. In addition, the tracks go for about five minutes so you can really get into the rhythm, build stamina, and maybe practice soloing!Happy drumming!

I purchased this book at the suggestion of other Amazon consumers who recommended it. I have not been dissapointed. The book comes with a DVD which enables the viewer to get two different views of the instructor while he is playing. He starts out slow making it easy to follow and builds with repetition to a quicker pace. Before you know it you are performing with a group of other drummers on the DVD. I would highly recommend this book/DVD to anyone who has the desire to learn how to play an african drum.

easy n fun!

Just purchased a djembe and wanted some guidelines. The CD is very good. It is very helpful the way they isolated the tracks so that you can hear it seperately and with another part. The charts in the book look intimidating. For me, hearing the samples was easier than reading the music and putting it to the drum. The CD is good listening even if your not playing along. A bit above the basics but that is the only way you'll learn.

I thought this book was a bit too easy until I played the CD and heard how fast I'd have to play. Good 1st djembe book, has broken down explanations which you can gloss over if you are familiar with rhythm and counting but the broken down practice stages good for building up speed. My CD player has left/right balance adjustment which helps. The interlocking rhythms (3 for each song) are support rhythms to the African songs and really do interlock because where rhythm one might start on beat one, rhythm two starts on a different beat etc

This is a well laid out and easy to understand book aimed at people just like me who couldn't read music if their life depended on it! The lessons are well paced and the instructions clearly given. The CD suffers a little as it wants you to play the L and R tracks separately and my stereo doesn't do that, but it still gives you a very good idea of what you should be aiming for and will indeed reach with a bit of perseverance. A great book for those who want to learn a bit of technique for this wonderful instrument.

As described and easy to follow - I have had a lot of fun trying it all out - the CD helps.

I bought this for a present for my daughter who has some djembe drums. She was thrilled saying how helpful it was.

Prompt delivery and nice book thank you