The golden age of African fingerpicking guitar was in the 1950s and 1960s. The great players and recording artists of that time included Jean Bosco Mwenda and Losta Abelo from Zaire and George Mukabi from Kenya. Guitaristsfrom other parts of the world have rarely if ever had a chance to learn their songs and playing techniques. On this DVD their arrangements are taught by John Low who has lived worked and studied with African musicians includingthose mentioned above. There are some interesting links with American guitar styles but there are just as many differences including rhythms borrowed from traditional African music and catchy up-beat patterns. Africanfingerstyle guitar is usually accompanied by rhythms played on a bottle. John Low is accompanied on this DVD by Frans Maathuis and Keith Jackman on bottles.

In this lesson Fernando Perez presents several tunes from West Africa. Directly learnt from African Jalis (Griots) these are traditional as well as original compositions specially arranged for Guitar. Imitating the sound of West African instruments such as Kora Ngoni or Balafon Perez demonstrates unique techniques on the Guitar in order to perform the grooves and melodies in a faithful way. All the tunes can be played on nylon or acoustic steel string Guitars. In this lesson you will learn: Understanding the sound and techniques of African instruments in order to apply them to the guitar. Different techniques imitating Korascale runs Balafon breaks etc. Several grooves from Mali Senegal Gambia. How to properly keep these grooves counting tapping and feeling. Kora picking style with thumb and index. Main scales used in West African music. How West African music connects with Blues styles. Combining West African styles with your own Blues licks. Explanations on how to further develop this music style. A West African repertoire full of variety. Each tune is taught phrase by phrase and played slowly on a split-screen. Titles include: The Mandinka Song Massina Madou Fatoudiob Sanu Mali Blues and Kulanjan. 107 minutesLevel 3Detailed tab/music PDF booklet on the DVD

Ainsi cet ouvrage vous emmènera au gré des chapitres vers différentes destinations musicales de l'Afrique subsaharienne et de la côte ouest vous faisant du même coup découvrir la richesse des principaux rythmes populaires ayant émergé depuis la fin de la période coloniale jusqu'à nos jours.