Here are the main instruments we use :
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Doun Doun |
| These are big double-ended bass drums, played with sticks. Doun douns provide the bass lines in African drumming. They are usually played in pairs with a bell. |
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Djembe |
| This is the drum which best exemplifies the sound of West African drum music & the drum most enthusiasts buy. It encompasses a wide tonal range from very deep bass to cracking high notes. It is used both as a rhythm instrument and for soloing. |
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Bougarabou |
Bougarabous have a deep warm sound, more mellow than the djembe. They are often played in two's or three's, each tuned differently, to create a rhythmic melody. |
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Talking Drum (Tamar) |
The talking drum is held under the arm & played with a curved stick. The distinctive sound is created by squeezing the strings whilst playing, thus changing the pitch. |
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Gangogui
(African Cowbell) |
The bell is often played by the doun doun player - one hand for each instrument. Like the doun doun, the bell provides a foundation for the rest of the miusic. |
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Shekere |
The shekere is a gourd covered with a net of beads. The beads can be tapped against the gourd to create intricate rhythms. Large shekeres are shaken & twirled around to great dramatic effect. |
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Caxixi |
These woven basket shakers, filled with seeds, give a soft texture to the music & provide the stability of a steady pulse. |
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