The Different Parts to An African Rhythm
A quick thought before I start my practice on the djembe drum. I'm sharing an app, MoRhythm by Monette Marino, that I use for practice and it is excellent for that but also I think it will give you an idea how we layer on a cycle of rhythms to play in the structured disciplined African style.
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That is really a cool app. I can see where you would like to be able to practice with others and that makes it convenient!! That is what I basically try to do with LMMS is to build rhythms or beats by adding layers. It is fun and I can spend loads of time on it!
I think the app is perfect. If I was to design one it would be exactly like this one.
New info for me. Is everyone supposed to play their parts as written to maintain the harmony across the group, or are there times when people can do rolls/change dynamics/improv?
Yes, everyone plays their part. I don't know what the big boys do but my friend and I switch parts when the accompaniment one of us is playing starts sounding weird or warping (in our head) to the point that we don't recognize it or think we are about to lose it. You never want to crash a rhythm, the dancers are counting on getting high on the energy and performing better than with normal energy. The body moves much more easily to live drums (and probably to any live music).
When my friend plays my part I know to play hers and the rhythm continues with little notice, that's how we can play a rhythm 45 minutes for dance class. Once I played a pattern for 1 1/2 hours nonstop. I will never forget it and will NEVER do it again.
The rhythm always has a soloist who is marking (describing) the dancer's creative steps or playing traditional riffs of that particular rhythm.
Only the soloist does the rolls, improv, and breaks. Breaks start, end and tell the dancer when to change steps in the rhythm.
Patterned rhythms are not hard to learn but the dicipline to play for a long time takes work. To me, the soloist has somewhat the easiest job but takes talent...us guys in the background are doing the work but you don't need talent.
Very interesting. I love to improv on the drum set and go off course, so this type of percussion would be very challenging for me. I'd have to be the one marking or on the bass drum. 90 mins nonstop is mind-boggling for me. I'd probably veer off tempo and drag. Fortunately you're playing with others to get energy and have to keep you motivated...I'd imagine you might put yourself into a trance with that. Switching parts as you mentioned in general sounds like a good idea, especially if it preserves the experience for everyone.
Yes, you are definitely the soloist type, I've listened to your practices. Most of the time the rhythm goes to fast for me to think. It is the energy of all of us that gets us there...very bonding. There is no trancing out...for me anyway. It's a mind game all the way. Breathing is the most important part. You have to get to the end and the brain needs that oxygen. I start my breath deposit early in the session because the last 20 minutes of this hour and a half class is full on jet speed.
@steemmatt, here are some of the riffs played in Moribayassa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=60&v=tmDf2z3hLLw
That'd take a lot of endurance to play for long periods of time. I'd imagine that being well hydrated is key so you don't get cramps in your forearms.
Nice photography and good job to do practice others.
Thank you. Pushups and practice are what I need. Thank you for checking out my post