Kita Soli / Beginners Djembe Drumming

💖 This Course is for Everyone!

No prior experience is needed! Just bring an open heart and a willingness to learn. Lessons are slow-paced, with detailed guidance to help you build confidence.

Shake off the day’s stress, pick up your djembe, and let loose! Drumming fosters community, enthusiasm, co-creation, and empowerment.

Kita Soli invites you to reconnect with yourself. Dance, drum, and celebrate with your friends and community through this joyful and accessible rhythm. It pairs beautifully with any common-time music, making it perfect for solo play, drum circles, open mics, gigs, or parties—a rhythm that keeps on giving!

The djembe is more than a drum—it’s a guide to peace and presence. Rhythm requires focus, and when your focus is settled, energy and ecstasy follow. But nothing worthwhile is easy! Expect to challenge your body and mind in this pursuit. As your skills grow, you’ll notice:

• Enhanced memory and coordination

• Stronger timing, tempo, and swing

• Improved improvisation skills using intuition

• A deeper understanding of rhythm as a communal experience

Drumming is not just about playing—it’s about connecting. When we drum together, our individual rhythms unite into one cohesive groove. These skills extend beyond music, enhancing teamwork in all areas of life.

🎯 What to Expect

Drumming is built on three essential pillars:

• Technique – Mastering the way you strike the drum.

• Timing – Keeping steady and precise rhythms.

• Tempo – Developing control over speed and groove.

I chose Kita Soli as the foundation of this beginner’s course because it is deeply embedded in the global musical DNA. Whether in rock, hip-hop, pop, jazz, or electronic music, this rhythm transcends genres. Seeing its power, I expanded on this theme, using one of the djembe solo parts to create 18 variations to help students develop on the djembe.

Through playful exploration of these rhythms, we will refine our individual and group understanding of the fundamental concepts of drumming and more!

🌍 Origin of Kita Soli

Kita is a culturally rich town in western Mali, located in the Kayes Region. It plays a significant role in Mandé musical traditions, which have shaped West African music.

🏛️ Cultural Significance

• Famous for its griot traditions and oral storytelling.

• A hub for traditional drumming and musical heritage.

🌾 Geography & Economy

• Located in a savanna region where farming is central.

• Major crops include peanuts, cotton, and millet.

💃 Music & Dance

• Traditional drumming is vital in ceremonies, rites of passage, and celebrations.

• Rhythms like Kita Soli hold deep cultural significance.

💪 Origin & Meaning

• "Soli" rhythms are used in coming-of-age rites for young men.

• The Kita region has its own distinct version of this rhythm.

🎼 Musical Characteristics

• Time Signature – Typically 4/4

• Tempo & Feel – High-energy, driving rhythm for intense dancing.

• Djembe & Dundun Parts – Interlocking patterns on Kenkeni, Sangban, and Dununba, with the djembe leading.

📚 What’s Covered in the Course

Chapter 1: Introduction to Your Djembe

• Djembe Foundations - Introduces the drum as a tool for self-expression and connection. You’ll learn its structure and handling, setting the stage for rhythmic exploration.

• Djembe Rudiments – The foundational techniques and patterns used in playing the djembe. These rudiments include bass and tone hits, which form the basis for more complex rhythms.

• Djembe Solo 1-6 Fundamentals - We’ll explore essential techniques and patterns designed to build your confidence, precision, and rhythmic understanding. We begin by focusing on the Bass sound, then gradually introduce the Tone to create a balanced groove. Our primary goal is to internalize the downbeat, a central feature in all the rhythms we will cover.

• Downloadable Shorts – 5 minute quick reference videos

Chapter 2: Introducing the Slap

• In-depth technique lesson - Covers bass, tone, and slap your essential sounds. The slap is a sharp, high-pitched stroke that contrasts with the deeper bass and mid-range tone. It adds clarity, articulation, and dynamic expression, making rhythms more vibrant and engaging.

• Djembe Rudiments – In this chapter, the rudiments evolve as we introduce the slap sound and sextuplets, both essential for expanding your drumming technique.

• Djembe Solo 1-6 Articulation – We will build upon the foundation set in Chapter 1 by incorporating the slap sound into each rhythm. This essential addition will enhance the clarity, articulation, and energy of your playing.

• Downloadable Shorts – 5 minute quick reference videos.

Chapter 3: Introducing the Bass Layer

• No Bass, No Party -This brief intro highlights the bass layer’s role in filling out rhythms, making your drumming fuller and more dynamic, especially when playing alone or in small groups. It offers a quick glimpse into how bass enhances groove and depth, setting the stage for a richer, more complete sound.

• Djembe Rudiments – Building upon the previous exercises but introducing greater complexity. For the first time, we are switching between tone and slap within the same phrase. This is a significant step in developing precision and control.

• Djembe Solo 1-6 Dynamism – Bass is the heartbeat of your drumming, we take it a step further by adding extra bass strikes to Rhythms 1–6. This addition enhances the depth, fullness, and drive of your playing, making your drumming feel more grounded and powerful.

• Downloadable Shorts – 5 minute quick reference videos

🎊 Final Takeaway

By the end of this course, you’ll have developed a deeper understanding of djembe technique and significantly improved your execution and control. Every skill you’ve learned builds upon the last, strengthening your ability to play with confidence and expression.

• Fundamentals – You’ll have refined the core techniques of bass, tone, and slap, strengthening your precision, coordination, and rhythmic awareness. These foundations ensure clarity and control, allowing you to navigate complex rhythms with ease.

• Articulation – Your playing will become sharper and more defined, with improved intonation, clarity, and dynamic contrast. The integration of the slap sound will give your rhythms a crisp, energetic presence, making your drumming more expressive and engaging.

• Dynamism – Through layering bass, tone, and slap, you’ll add depth, fullness, and drive to your playing. Whether performing solo or in a group, your drumming will have a rich, commanding presence, capable of shaping and leading the groove with confidence.

This journey is just the beginning! With continued practice, you’ll unlock even greater musical expression, deepening your connection to rhythm, self, and community.

🚀 Let’s embark on this rhythmic adventure together!