What does the master drummer do?

Plays calls, signals changes and improvises

What is a polyrhythm?

Several different rhythms played at the same time

A repeating bell pattern that holds the group together

The player squeezes the strings on its sides

A set of bass drums played with sticks

By ear, by listening and copying

West African drum ensembles are led by a master drummer, who plays calls that the group answers, signals changes, and improvises.
The other drummers play repeating ostinato patterns. Layered together, these make polyrhythms and cross-rhythms.
A bell (such as the gankogui or agogô) often plays a timeline pattern that holds everyone together.
The music is learned by ear and copied (the oral tradition), and it is part of everyday life: celebrations, ceremonies and storytelling.

Djembe: a goblet-shaped hand drum with three main sounds: bass (centre), tone (edge) and slap (sharp, at the edge).
Dundun: a set of cylindrical bass drums played with sticks.
Talking drum: an hourglass-shaped drum whose pitch changes when the player squeezes its strings, so it can copy speech.
Shekere (a gourd shaker), kora (a 21-string harp) and balafon (a wooden xylophone) are also common.

Call and response: a leader sings a line and the group answers.
In South Africa, choral styles such as mbube and isicathamiya are sung a cappella (unaccompanied) in close harmony, with a lead singer and a low bass part. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a famous group.
A typical drumming piece: a signal from the master drummer starts it; layers are added one by one; the master drummer improvises over the patterns; the tempo may speed up; a signal ends it together.

Master drummer: The lead drummer, who plays calls, signals changes and improvises.
Ostinato: A short pattern repeated over and over.
Polyrhythm: Several different rhythms played at the same time.
Cross-rhythm: A rhythm that clashes against the main beat.
Timeline: A repeating bell pattern that holds the group together.
Djembe: A West African goblet-shaped hand drum.
Talking drum: An hourglass drum whose pitch changes when its strings are squeezed.
A cappella: Singing with no instruments.

What does the master drummer do?: Plays calls, signals changes and improvises: The group follows the master drummer.
What is a polyrhythm?: Several different rhythms played at the same time: It comes from layering ostinatos.
What is a timeline in African drumming?: A repeating bell pattern that holds the group together: Often on the gankogui or agogô bell.
Which three main sounds does a djembe make?: Bass, tone and slap: Depending on where and how it's hit.
How does a talking drum change pitch?: The player squeezes the strings on its sides: It can copy the sound of speech.
What is a dundun?: A set of bass drums played with sticks: They play low ostinatos.
How is African drumming traditionally learned?: By ear, by listening and copying: The oral tradition.
What does a cappella mean?: Singing with no instruments: South African choral music is often a cappella.