Tough But Tasty – A 5-Beat Djembe Roll from Abidjan
This week I’ve shared a new YouTube video featuring a solo roll I learnt from Sidiki Dembélé while in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮. It’s a 5-beat phrase that’s been rolling around in my hands (and head!) ever since — and I thought it was time to pass it on. This one’s a little tricky at first — hence the title Tough But Tasty — but it’s well worth the effort 🥁. Once you get the feel, it opens up some exciting soloing possibilities and a lovely sense of movement.
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A different feel to the 4-beat roll
If you caught the “Tiddlywink” 4-beat swing roll from a few weeks back, this new phrase heads in a different direction rhythmically. It’s tighter, and more angular — with a structure that could even be interpreted as a 6-beat phrase, depending on how you hear it. That’s part of what makes it so interesting.
In the video, I walk through the roll slowly, break down the slap placements, and finish with a play-along section to help you embed it in your own playing.
Sharing the journey
I’m always exploring new ways to develop solo phrasing and technique — and this roll has been a really enjoyable challenge. Sharing these ideas through video is part of how I keep the learning alive and offer something that others might find useful or inspiring in their own playing.
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Thanks for reading — and happy drumming!
-Steve Rivers
