|
From Hand To Hand: The Wassa Kunba! Drumming Experience 2008 Workshop Tour *Wassa Kunba! - Malinké for Great Joy! Wassa Kunba! Great Joy! Through these amazing workshops, Famoudou Konaté shares with everyone the great joy of traditional Malinké hand drumming from Guinea, West Africa.
A workshop with Famoudou is like nothing else out there. His enthusiasm and energy are absolutely infectious. Famoudou’s drum speaks with unsurpassed clarity, communicating the musical heritage of his people and the universal strength of the human spirit. He engages everyone, creating a joyful environment where we together enjoy the uplifting beauty of the Malinké ensemble. Whatever your background or experience level, take this unique opportunity to study with this living legend and truly great Master. Fode Camara will again be joining the tour as Famoudou's Sangbanfola. Improve your skills and experience Wassa Kunba! with Famoudou Konaté. 
Famoudou Konaté is a world-renowned virtuoso of the djembe drum and its orchestra. One of only a handful of initiated Masters of the Malinké drumming tradition, Famoudou is universally respected as one of the world’s premiere djembe Drum Masters. He has dedicated his life to performing and preserving the music of his people, helping to elevate the djembe orchestra from its traditional roots to worldwide popularity. Famoudou was born in 1940 near Sangbaralla, a village in the Hamana region of Upper Guinea, the Malinké heartland and the birthplace of the Dunun family of rhythms. A percussive prodigy, he was drumming in community festivals at the age of eight and was soon in demand as a djembefola across the region. From 1959 to 1985, Famoudou was the Lead Djembe Soloist for Les Ballets Africains de la République de Guinée, touring the world and performing with astounding virtuosity. During this time, Famoudou himself created many of the musical arrangements now common in West African performance groups worldwide. Since 1986, he has taught and performed annually throughout Europe, Japan, Israel, North America and West Africa, instilling a generation of non-African drummers with an extraordinary level of training. In 1996 he received an honorary professorship in Didactics of African Musical Practice from University of the Arts Berlin. He has produced 7 CDs, including his most recent release, Hamana Mandenkono. From Hand to Hand Famoudou’s passion for the music infuses every workshop. He is a Master Teacher, working across cultures, languages and skill levels to assist students with an approachable, patient and flexible teaching style. In each session, he effectively communicates a wealth of knowledge and drumming experience through his hands, his heart and his warm sense of humor. Everyone benefits from hands-on, personal contact with Famoudou throughout the workshop experience. Famoudou’s Wassa Kunba! teaching system involves an intensive 4 hours of instruction per day and ensures that you will leave with everything you will need to study and perform a complete Malinké rhythm. You’ll learn the basic rhythms on the three dununs and the djembe accompaniment parts. Famoudou will also teach echauffements (the patterns that heat up the song), djembe solo techniques, introductions and breaks, dunun variations and even songs that accompany the rhythms in the village. You’ll learn the origins of each rhythm, receive expert instruction on all instruments in the traditional Malinké djembe orchestra and deepen your understanding of the place of music, dance and song in West African life. Famoudou has a strong track record of producing wellrounded, highly skilled djembe and dunun players. He can work simultaneously with students of all levels - beginner to professional. Absolutely everyone is welcome! Under Famoudou’s system, people are assigned parts according to their ability so that everyone can get the most out of each workshop. Finally, each workshop includes a set-aside time during which Famoudou will demonstrate all of the drum parts taught so that students can have a clean recording of the material. What Attendees Are Saying... “…it was great. You can understand Famoudou’s instruction regardless of the fact he speaks in French. This workshop is more than learning new rhythms. It is a cultural experience and experiencing Famoudou’s joy of music and drumming. Watching his energy, drumming and dancing is all part of the experience.” – Dolores F., Roundlake, IL “It was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!!! Fun, challenging and a time I will treasure forever! Famoudou is Great! Wow, what a workout. I worked HARD and had a great time! I will treasure this memory forever.” Mary K. – Greenfield, WI “Excellent, Lots of fun. One of the most awesome instructors I’ve had.” – Rosemary K., Glen Ellyn, IL “Awesome, learned a lot. Class built up my confidence with the djembe.” – Pam D., Milwaukee, IL “Beyond compare. A joyful being, full of life and truly a master. Mind-blowing solos. He is able to teach all levels simultaneously and well!” – Tamyala G., Glenview, IL “Excellent instructor! He breaks down rhythms into “learnable” parts. He is so delightful when someone “gets it”. An inspiring teacher. I loved it.” – Roxanne Junge, Glenview, IL ”Although I was one of many, I felt that I had a very personal 9instruction. He tried to make sure everyone understood the rhythms. I came awaqys from this workshop with a MUCH higher skill level than when I came in – also more confidence in my skill” – Rowan H., Woodridge, IL “Of course, it was GREAT – it’s Famoudou!” – M. Taylor, Oak Park, IL “Humble and generous, (sweet man). Great approach to teaching.” – George S. Madison, WI “Wonderful workshops – very well organized and educational. Fun rhythms, groovin’ solos! Famoudou is an excellent teacher and a very generous and kind man. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and opening your heart!” – Julie B., Milwaukee, WI “Awesome excellent teacher. Fun wonderful smile. Easy to follow as an “advanced beginner” – Julie L., Evanston, IL “Famoudou’s teaching is really clear and methodical – he’s great! The taping approach is nice too!” – Greg L., Chicago, IL “Wonderful teacher – so much to give!” – Laurie L., Madison, WI
  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
