Drum Circle

This rhythm that we're going to do is called Kuku. Kuku is played in West Africa primarily in the Ivory Coast region and Guinea. The rhythm is traditionally played for celebrations and full moon ceremonies. Here in America it is primarily played for celebration, good times and to meet new people.


Video Download - iPod/iPhone compatible (41.2 MB):
Click Here To Download

The break starts the rhythm, changes the rhythm and stops the rhythm.

This break for Kuku goes like this:

[RHYTHM PERFORMED ON DRUM]

That's the break to begin Kuku.

[RHYTHM PERFORMED ON DRUM]

That was the break with the first part of Kuku.

The second djembe part for Kuku:

Start with the break

[RHYTHM PERFORMED ON DRUM]

Third djembe part for Kuku. Break:

[RHYTHM PERFORMED ON DRUM]

Ok, that was Kuku. All the djembe parts. When you get to your drum circle or dance class the bottom should be playing. The bottom is simple. It's like this:

[RHYTHM PERFORMED ON DRUM]

That's it. Now, let's play Kuku a little bit and you think in your mind or play along with the parts we just showed you.

Labels: Africa, African Rhythm, Dion Rivers, Djembe Lesson, Djembe.Rhythms, How to Play Djembe, Kuku