About
What is West African drumming?
MANY different cultures have their own types of drums and rhythms and ALL of it is very cool! The West African version of drums and rhythms just happens to be my favorite. The rhythms I teach in class are traditional; that is, they all have a long history of being played for specific events and/or celebrations in the region of Africa now comprised of Senegal, Guinea, Mali, the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. This region was once the Mali Empire (from approximately 1230 to 1600), the birthplace of the djembe and dunun. The region is now referred to as "the Mandingue", hence the term "Tam Tam Mandingue" or "Mandingue drums".
The Drums and rhythms
The Djembe is the "goblet shaped" drum we use in class and it is played with both hands. The Dejmbe plays patterns that accompany and embellish the main melody of each specific rhythm.
The Dunun are the 3 bass drums played with sticks -- together, they create the main melody of each specific rhythm. That is, you will very quickly discover that the melody of each rhythm is different! The Dunun are often outfitted with metal "bells" which are struck in conjunction with striking the skin. The smallest Dunun is called the Kenkeni; medium is the Sangban and largest is the Dununba.
The rhythms are polyrhythmic -- that is, each specific rhythm is comprised of several differing underlying rhythms played on the various drums. That is what makes this music so fantastic ... and fun to play! There is structure to the music, but not rigidity -- once you've got the basics, there is plenty room for individual expression!
Tam Tam Mandingue
The world's first and only international school of West African drumming, founded in 1992 by the legendary Guinean master drummer, Mamady Keita. The mission of Tam Tam Mandingue is to "preserve, teach and perform the traditional percussion music of the Mande, specifically [on] the djembe and dunun drums" (visit www.ttmda.com to learn more).
Ben's drumming journey .... so far
Originally from Jamaica, where hand-drums are central to many aspects of the culture, Ben was always drawn to drums. He finally got his hands on a drum around 1990 and has been playing ever since, with a special focus on West African drums, rhythms and culture since 2008.
in 2013 Ben completed the Drumming Instructors Training, a demanding two-year course of study, with Tam Tam Mandingue Winston-Salem, and is now a Certified Associate Drumming Instructor. In December 2017, he attained Level IV status with TTM Djembe Academy (what's that?) and is now working on Level V.
In the Greenville/Spartanburg area, Ben offers group and private classes, conducts workshops and presentations, performs and plays for West African dance classes. He also tunes and re-heads drums, runs workshops on how to tune or repair your own drum, and offers drums for sale.
Testimonials
"Ben... Thank you for your excellence, patience and encouragement as a teacher. You encourage, enable us to go where we think we can't, and challenge.....the best of all combinations in a teacher"
"You are... an outstanding teacher whose enthusiasm and joy is so very contagious. I so love our group and the music that you lead us to make together."
"This class has been so uplifting for me; there is something about coming together with a group of people and playing drums;...this has been very therapeutic for me"
"I have found Ben to be a patient, welcoming, humorous, and encouraging teacher. Drumming with him is pure joy!"
Geez, I'm blushing. I'll strive to live up to these nice comments! -- Ben
My Teachers
Bill Scheidt, Tam Tam Mandingue Winston-Salem
Bill is Director of Tam Tam Mandingue Winston-Salem and one of my personal heroes. I've learned more from Bill in 2 years than I have in all my drumming years before that. When I grow up, I want to be just like Bill! Check out the TTM Winston-Salem site here.
Bolokada Conde
Grand Master drummer from Guinea, Bolokada now lives (drumroll please..) in Greenville! What a rare and precious opportunity! Think of a person you would really like to meet and imagine getting to study and spend time with that person on a regular basis! I am so grateful and honored to have Bolokada as a teacher and friend. Performing with him is like fun on steroids!
Bolo occasionally offers classes in Greenville, is available for private lessons, and repairs and re-heads drums.
Learn more about Bolokada at http://bolokadaconde.blogspot.com/ and contact Bolokada through this site!
Mamady Keita
I had the honor of meeting Mamady during a weekend-long workshop in November 2012 in Atlanta. It was an inspiring challenge to learn with the founder of Tam Tam Mandingue. I got my first taste of one of Mamady's famous "pyramid" compositions - basically a string of rhythms arranged with intros, breaks, outros and solo techniques, played back-to-back. Oh YEAH!
Mamady's book of Mandingue rhythms, "Mamady Keita: A Life for the Djembe" is the djembefola's bible.
Learn more about Mamady and Tam Tam Mandingue at
