Roots Jam 3: Arrangements for West African Drum & Dance (2007)
Whether you are a beginner or lead soloist, you will find here a valuable reference to help you learn and practice basic djembe accompaniment parts, bass drum (dunun) and bell patterns and variations, and lead djembe solos.
Where Roots Jam 2 is more comprehensive, this latest compilation is more selective, drawing on the author’s past five years of intensive study and practice to select complete and cohesive ensemble arrangements for 16 of the most popular traditional West African dance rhythms. You will also find new material to assist you in mastering traditional and improvised djembe solos; understanding basic downbeat, upbeat and offbeat timing structure; and choosing from among the most interesting bell and clave patterns for your own jams or arrangements.
Roots Jam 3 features notation for 27 original compositions for djembe, dununs and percussion. Audio tracks for these are available in mp3 or audio CD format, along with recordings of all 16 traditional West African rhythms. The traditional pieces are layered instrument by instrument to facilitate your learning of each part; then the ensemble is featured along with lead solos for listening or playing along. All tracks are recorded digitally using Percussion Studio software; the effect is close to live in quality, yet more precise to ensure the clarity of your listening and learning experience.
16 traditional West African dance rhythms in Roots Jam 3:
| Djole | Kassa | Mendiani | Soli |
| Doundounba | Kuku | Sinte | Sorsornet |
| Fula Fare | Lafe | Sofa | Tiriba |
| Guinea Fare | Makuru | Soko | Yankadi |