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What's a "Master" drummer

What's a Master Drummer?
Email Compilation from Abdoul & Katrina Doumbia

> What is the criteria for being considered a "master" drummer in Mali?,
> e.g.,
> is the drummer expected to know how to play a determined number of
> rhythms,
> is the drummer initiated into a master drummer society, etc.
>
here is an excerpt from something I posted on that a while
ago, and I've added some more comments from Abdoul at the end, as well:

It is a title that is earned, and very much respected in the culture
where it originates, and hopefully here as well.  I once asked Abdoul's best
friend and master drummer Ibrahima Sarr what the qualifications are for a
"master drummer".  He explained that you have to be able to play any part of
any rhythm for your ethnic group and neighboring ethnic groups, in any
ceremonial situation.  A master drummer has to be able to not only play all
parts of the basic rhythms, but each rhythm, each dancer, each ceremony,
each ethnic group calls for a different type and shade of soloing, and a
true master drummer has to know all of these and be able to switch and
adjust in a heartbeat, or a drumbeat, as the case may be.  :)   There are
amazing subtleties involved, as well as an incredible mass of knowledge one
must store and have at their fingertips.  A master drummer has to be called
to the drum, and make this their sole life's passion and occupation.  

...and I just called Abdoul to see if he wanted to add anything, and he
says:

To be a master in Mali you have to know all of the rhythms from all of the
ethnic groups -- all the different parts on all the different drums, all the
songs and dances that go with them (you don't necessarily need to be able to
sing well or dance the steps, but know what goes with what).  "You have to
know EVERYTHING -- you are a master when no one can question your
knowledge."  Abdoul studied with many master drummers, from age 6 on, but
mostly with Moriba Keita.  He was endowed with the status of master drummer
when Moriba said "you are done" and gave him a drum, so in Mali, this is a
status passed down from one master to another.  He stressed that it's "not a
family thing (as in, not inherited in any way) -- you have to earn it with
your hard work and knowledge".  There doesn't seem to be any sort of
initiation, in a formal sense, and no set society, although from what I've
heard, there is a consensus within the drumming society of who is a master
drummer and who isn't.  They certainly don't wear pins, though...  :) 

Anyway, I hope this answers your question.  I've heard there's more of a
formal initiation rite in Guinea -- do you (or does anyone else) know much
about this? 

Thanks,

Katrina  



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