This book is intended as a "standard work on West African rhythms."

It covers important basic rhythmic topics, such as:

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• Rhythm analysis - how are West African rhythms structured?

• Feeling - the „soul“ of Rhythm

• Rhythm and syllable language

• Djembé Playing Technique

• How are Djembé rhythms constructed?

• Terminology: Explanation of musical terms

• The instruments of the Malinké Music

• Playing 3 Bass Drums with Your Hands

• Incorporating Your Feet

• Motoric independence

"West African Drum Music - Rhythms of the Malinké" stands out from other textbooks on drumming and rhythm because it takes the reader into depth:

• It makes West African rhythm understandable through structural analysis. Unfortunately, this aspect of the fundamental understanding of rhythmic structures often receives little attention in other textbooks on drumming – yet it represents an important aspect of rhythm (like harmony or notation in other musical areas).

• The perspective on the topic of "rhythm" differs fundamentally from the European view of classical musicology:

• ​In West Africa, rhythmic figures are seen as melodies. Percussion instruments – especially bass drums – offer many more different pitches than the drums of European orchestral music (except the Timpani). For each rhythm, I demonstrate the resulting rhythmic melody, which constitutes the special characteristics and energy of a rhythm.

• As with the "Obaxe System – Afro-Cuban Rhythms," there are countless exercises that form the basis for the small elements from which more complex rhythmic figures are then assembled. Through the gradual development of the countless exercises, certain figures and figure combinations become tangible.

• The book explores the effects of different rhythmic parameters such as feeling, accents at different points, beat/off-beat, etc. These effects are not specifically African but universal.

• Through the many different combinations of different rhythmic figures, we learn to perceive a rhythm in its entirety.

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In addition, the

Obaxe Percussion School YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@percussionschool

already features additional videos on fundamental topics such as:

• Basic movement patterns on the Djembé

• Bass drum accents and their effect

• Learning to feel 3/4-beat rhythms

• Exercises on beat, off-beat, and double-off-beat

• The different types of „feeling“

• Rhythmic language

• Exercises for body awareness

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„West-African percussion music - rhythms of the Malinké“
(Distribution 2025)

Rhythms 
 

Makru

SOLI RAPIDE

Soli rapide ("rapid") is a rhythm played throughout Guinea. It is used to celebrate circumcision ceremonies for boys. This rhythm also exists in other

West African countries (e.g., in Mali, where it is called "Sugu").