Product Details

• Actors: John Yost
• Directors: Alejo Balingit
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Hands in Motion Productions
• DVD Release Date: May 1, 2003
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000A4MIQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,788 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Earthtribe Percussion, May 2003

I think you have perfected the DVD method of learning African music.

Product Description

This very popular DVD have benefited students as well as teachers who wished to learn West African rhythms. This DVD can be viewed on your television using a DVD player or on a computer with a DVD drive.

With this DVD you can instantly access ANY of the parts you want to practice. Searching the VHS tape is eliminated and is a thing of the past!

John Yost has studied in West Africa and U.S. djembe and dunun with the following Master drummers: M’Bemba Bangoura, Madou Dembele, Yaya Kabo, Gbongworo Keita, Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate, Ibro Konate , Michael Markus, Paulo Mattioli, and Babtunde Olatunji.

Japanese Taiko drumming in Japan and the U.S. with members of Kodo including: Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Eichi Saito, Leonard Eto, as well as with Miyauchi Sensei, Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, Master Ukichi Takano etc.

Drum Circle Facilitation Training in Hawaii with Arthur Hull , 1994 , Mentor Program in 2002, as well as various weekend trainings.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent rhythms video, May 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: John Yost Teaches: West African Rhythms / Instructional Djembe and Dundun DVD Video (DVD)

I bought this DVD knowing that it contains videos of West African rhythms, just like the title says. The description does not say that it is a DVD of djembe basics. I couldn't disagree more with a previous poster saying it isn't for beginners. There are three notes you need to learn on the djembe - slap, tone, and bass. The other videos may show you that in two minutes but then what? One needs to incorporate those notes and make music. With the two angles you can see the techniques on how to play the notes.

I use this DVD to remember the rhythms and to play along with the other parts. I think the DVD is for the beginner to intermediate student. I have owned and have watched other djembe videos but this is the only one I use frequently even more so than the Mamady Keita videos, which are also strictly rhythms but are on VHS. The instant access to the rhythm parts is a big plus.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This DVD is strange., February 18, 2006

By 

B. Williams "Veggiebear" (Front Royal, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Yost Teaches: West African Rhythms / Instructional Djembe and Dundun DVD Video (DVD)

It is not exactly what we were thinking it would be. There are no verbal instructions or explanations of the beats--he just does it really slow or really fast.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars African Drumming Instruction Goes DVD!, August 12, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: John Yost Teaches: West African Rhythms / Instructional Djembe and Dundun DVD Video (DVD)

This is an excellent instructional media format for learning several of the most popular African folk drumming songs for Djembe and Djundjun. I have learned how to play world percussion instruments the hard way through long hours of practice, and I really appreciate the advantages provided in this DVD format for future generations. The Djembe is the recently popular hour glass shaped hand drum from Africa made from Mango, Kwenboa, or other indigenous hardwoods. The Djundjun is played with a drum stick to keep basic bass rhythm and is usually mounted with an Cow bell that is played in synch. Parts are delineated for two or three different sizes of each drum. This allows several players to play in tandem, as is done by Dahui, the author's band. John Yost is a Chicago area drum circle facilitator and veteran player. The actual playing is a top down video of the hand playing that can be played slow or fast. The viewer also has the option of seeing all drums played together in a mixed format or one by one. I would strongly encourage the DVD format being used for such instruction in the future. My only suggestion with all of the megabytes available in this format is to provide the opportunity for viewers to play along drum circle style over prolonged sessions to add to the enjoyment of the DVD. The band Dahui could provide a few of their more than lively tracks or even music video for playing along.