Hand Drum Lessons & Notation for Djembes, Dununs & Bells

Category Archives: books

Best of Roots Jam

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)

FAQ Update

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… Continue Reading

How to Get Into a Jam

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 Unconscious self-absorption Not… Continue Reading

Prices Slashed!

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,… Continue Reading