The djembe solo in the west and in the east. 4 types of djembe solos.
In West African djembe music originating out of Mali and Guinea areas there are 2 different types or approaches to solo on the djembe. I am talking about these two regions (Guinea and Mali) because that is where I have studied on location and know most about although I am sure this holds true in other nearby regions as well.
In West Africa all solos relate to dance and dancers and also to the music happening in each particular situation.
1. Traditional solo.
Djembe solos can be specific djembe language and “feels” for the particular piece or arrangement that is being played.
Some people call this “solo orignal” or traditional solo. Its a solo designed for the particular piece. It can be used for specific dance steps for the piece as well.
2. Djembe language
Used in non specific settings, creative license is used and phrases are borrowed from different pieces. The djembe solo may still be marking steps for dancers but common phrases and chains can be put in from different pieces.
Djembe language means “phrases , brakes and chains commonly used by djembe folas”.
Just like we have common language phrase when we speak, “what’s up”? “ what’s happening”, “cool” or even longer phrase, “that’s what I am saying”, the same holds true for djembe language. It’s a phrase that when you play it everyone recognizes it.
My teachers have told me that originally the djembe solo used Melenke language and spoke. For example there is phrase for someone to come out and play.
In the west we can use these two but also add:
3. Math and Western Adaptations.
We westerners often use a different approach to soloing using western drumming strategies, for example rudiments, different “stroke rolls” and techniques borrowed from western drumming or even different drumming forms. It’s how we think about it as well.
4. Kaos and Creative .
This is doing whatever you want.there is no relation to strategies or particular concepts.
Interestingly enough there is always crossover and nothing is almost ever strictly one way or the other even if you are told it’s so. At least that’s my experience from what I have seen.
Within each context of West African drumming we often have solo rides used as well. A solo ride is a part that is played with in the djembe parts that can start as a part like an accompaniment part, but you leave it or work from it, stretch out and always come back to it.