Category: books

Best of Roots Jam

With four volumes of Roots Jam already covering the map of world beats from the African tradition and beyond, it’s time for a “Best of” album… er, book!

No more thumbing through separate indexes, choosing from too many variations, or deciding which book fits your focus. Now you can have it all, distilled into one handy reference for study and practice, or playing on the fly.

Best of Roots Jam brings you 101 jam-packed pages of rhythms from West Africa and around the world, with tips, comparative charts and cheat sheets for beginning, intermediate and advanced drummers. Notation for djembe and dunun (traditional and ballet-style) as well as tabla, doumbek, conga and Latin percussion.

Best of Roots Jam: African and World Rhythms – order now in paperback or PDF download.

This curated collection includes the most popular rhythms from the other Roots Jam books, with upgraded formatting in consistent, easy-to-read grid notation. The perfect companion for solo practice, dance class, group ensemble performance, or funky DJ tracks.

Order now from Amazon (paperback or Kindle PDF) or from this website (PDF only, with optional audio bundle).

May 22, 2023
FAQ Update

Though this website already has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, today I received an email with some more unanswered questions. So I will attempt to answer them here.

I found your Youtube channel and came across your website.

First, thank you for providing free and very helpful information on both your YT channel and on your website!!

I am a beginner and am learning how to play the djembe. I am interested in purchasing the books and the optional audio but have a few questions.

Root Jam Books:

1. What would be my best book format to be able to view the notation while practicing (i.e., such as on a music stand)?

I like to have hard copies for reference books. But if I want to play while looking at the notation, would I be able to do so with your printed version (on Amazon) or would the PDF be a better option?

For practicing, a music stand is a good idea. The challenge with the printed books is to keep them open to the page you need. One solution would be to print selectively the pages you want to practice, with a copier/printer. PDF display could also work if you can make it large enough to see clearly. Or again, you could print selected pages from the PDF.

2. What is the approximate percentage of beginner rhythms in each of the books?

Also how would I be able to tell if the rhythm is for beginners, intermediate or advanced players?

The rhythms are not divided into beginner or other levels. But you will see that in each section some patterns are easier to play than others. For example, the kenkeni is usually the simplest dunun part to play; likewise with the basic accompaniment djembe parts for most rhythms.

Audio:

3. Do your audio files for R2 and 3 4 contain clips of the djembe drum only and no other instruments?

When I am learning a new rhythm on the djembe, I like to specifically hear how the rhythm should sound on a djembe first. Then it’s nice to hear how the song sounds holistically when played with other instruments such as the dundum. I did listen to the sample tracks you provided. BTW, I appreciate the samples of both the book and the audio files!!. The audio files all sound really good. But I have a hard time focusing and isolating the djembe parts/sounds as a beginner. Therefore, having the 2 clips would be perfect.

RJ2 has shorter sample clips… a few djembe, some bell, and some ensemble.
RJ3 uses a format of introducing each instrument separately, then layering them together. My advice would be to stop at the djembe part and practice it alone, then play along with the ensemble part when you are able.

4. My assumption is that the all of the audio files are downloadable MP3 files right – not streaming?

That’s correct, all of the audio files are MP3 downloads.

Ordering online:

5. If I were to purchase the PDF and audio files from your site via Paypal, how would I access the PDF and MP3 audio files? The reason I am asking this question is because when I click the “Add to Cart” button, it immediately brings me to the Paypal site where I would complete the purchase. So I am a bit confused in terms of the steps in the process to actually access the files. Usually I provide my personal information first such as my name and email address, then pay for the product. Sometimes I have to create an account first if I want to access and download larger files.

When you order PDF files or audio from my website, it links to PayPal. The order process is automated so when payment is completed, you receive an email with the download links.

To other readers: Please let me know if you have any other questions; I’ll be glad to help!

November 9, 2022
How to Get Into a Jam
The following excerpt from Flutes Jam: A Guide to Improvisation addresses issues that apply to group music in any context, whether playing a drum or flute or other instrument. It could apply as well to the daily performance (or jam) we call life.

How to Get into a Jam: Four Stages of Personal Evolution
1. Unconscious self-absorption
Not listening, not paying attention to others or the wider music. Maybe focused on the instrument, the melody, the rhythm, but in solo bubble: inspired by some private muse, but unaware. Or simply daydreaming, fantasizing, worrying, thinking… buffered from the living organism of the jam.
1. Hyperconscious self-absorption
“When you’re nervous it’s because you think everyone’s looking at you and the first thing to realize is they’re not. It’s just a big ego trip. Plus, when you’re feeling like that, all the energy is coming in toward you. You’re making it happen that way. The thing to do is turn it around and send the energy out. To be giving energy to what’s happening. Like Olatunji says, Service.” —Friday Night Jam
1. Global awareness, energy of all, witness, transparent eyeball
Present in the space: listening. Harmonizing, gelling in time, joining the flow. Holding steady, with wide-lens focus, soft gaze. Attention to breath, posture, pace, dynamic. Blending in. Ready to shift, when the moment is ripe.
1. Spiritual warrior, intuitive jazz, heart-centered
Effortless mastery, without thought. Flying above, or rooting below. One with the organism, the living machine; breathing and dancing together. “Right action, without attachment to the fruits of action.”

We don’t always achieve or embody mastery but we can always be mindful, or remind ourselves, that there is more to be gained by deepening and opening our awareness. For more insights into the art of improvisation, with practical tips and visual learning aids for solo practice and group creation, see the newly released Flutes Jam: A Guide to Improvisation.

“An intricate and in-depth presentation of a world of musical styles and genres. The book’s approach to the learning process opens the doors to infinite possibilities of improvisation—the intuitive aspect of music playing, too often overlooked in academia.” —E. Nep
February 28, 2022
Prices Slashed!
With the launch of the latest in the Roots Jam series–Roots Jam 4: World Beats – Rhythms Wild!–prices for all the Roots Jam books and audio have been slashed.
- Save up to 80% off previous prices!
- New combo deals and discount bundles!
- New book formats and audio offerings!
- Order a la carte or in combos, for all products!
And for a limited time–until Xmas 2019–you can order Roots Jam 4 in paperback from Amazon for 35% off (US price reduced from $14.99 to $9.75).

Roots Jam 4: Dive deep into African drumming styles from around the world. Find simple notation for djembe, dunun, conga, tabla and batucada parts from Guinea, Mali, Cuba, Brazil, Belize, India. Groove on tribal beats for hip hop and DJ mixes, samba bands, kirtan, dance classes, or drum circles. Explore archetypal music patterns, polyrhythm, improvisation, and drum culture.

Read more about Roots Jam 4 here and here. Order Roots Jam 4 and the other books and audio files here.
November 28, 2019