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FAQ's
What are the 50 rhythms included?
Abondon Aconcon Bao Dalah Denadon Diansa Djaa Djagbe Djole Dununba Fanga Fankani Fulafare Garangedon Gidamba Guineafare Kakilambe Kala Kassa Kassasoro Konden Konkoba Koredjuga Kuku Lamban Liberte Makru Mamaya Mane Maraka Mendiani Moribayassa N'Goron Niger Senefoli Sinte Soboninkun Sofa Soko Soli Sorsornet Sunu Temate Tiriba Toro Wassalon Wolosodon Yamama Yankadi
Abondon Aconcon Bao Dalah Denadon Diansa Djaa Djagbe Djole Dununba Fanga Fankani Fulafare Garangedon Gidamba Guineafare Kakilambe Kala Kassa Kassasoro Konden Konkoba Koredjuga Kuku Lamban Liberte Makru Mamaya Mane Maraka Mendiani Moribayassa N'Goron Niger Senefoli Sinte Soboninkun Sofa Soko Soli Sorsornet Sunu Temate Tiriba Toro Wassalon Wolosodon Yamama Yankadi
What form is the notation in?
We've chosen to use a text based notation. Here is a sample:
We've chosen to use a text based notation. Here is a sample:
Why are there multiple versions of the rhythms?
You'll find that Version 1 of the rhythms is the version that Fara played in Les Merveilles de Guinea. Version 2 is often a version played by one of Fara's elders like Mamady Keita, Famadou Konate, or Abdoul Doumbia. We've found that there are often variations in the rhythms depending on the region, village, context etc. The more we each practice different variations, the more versatile we become as players.
You'll find that Version 1 of the rhythms is the version that Fara played in Les Merveilles de Guinea. Version 2 is often a version played by one of Fara's elders like Mamady Keita, Famadou Konate, or Abdoul Doumbia. We've found that there are often variations in the rhythms depending on the region, village, context etc. The more we each practice different variations, the more versatile we become as players.
How long does it take to download the files?
That really depends on your internet connection speed. In order to download the entire collection, you will be getting over 3.3GB of files. If you have a cable connection (10MBps) it will take 45-60 minutes. If you're on dial up somewhere, it could take several hours. What can we say, its a ton of material!
That really depends on your internet connection speed. In order to download the entire collection, you will be getting over 3.3GB of files. If you have a cable connection (10MBps) it will take 45-60 minutes. If you're on dial up somewhere, it could take several hours. What can we say, its a ton of material!
Who is Fara Tolno?
Fara Tolno was born in Guinea, West Africa. He spent his youth in the village of Kissidugu and Guinea’s capital city, Conakry. Playing djembe since the age of nine, he has traveled extensively performing and teaching both drumming and dance. Fara spent nine years as the lead drummer for Les Merveilles de Guinea (The Wonders of Guinea) under the tutelage of West Africa’s most influential director and choreographer, Kemoko Sano. Fara is a keeper of the history, the music, and the dance in his culture. He holds a vision to build a school of Music, Dance and Education in his home of Guinea, West Africa. This school will help provide a sustainable way to ensure that the knowledge of the music, dance, and history of Guinea will be passed on to the next generation. Read more about this project and how to contribute here.
Currently based in Hawaii, Fara completed his MFA at the University of Colorado. Pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in dance has given him the opportunity to not only teach and share his culture, but to study many different forms of dance. He is taking this knowledge and finding ways to relate and merge the art form of dance and music from his culture with that of the western world. Fara is sharing this new and innovative perspective through his teaching in community and university classes, providing a one of a kind opportunity and outlook at traditional West African dance, and its relation historically and currently into the western world.
Fara is the founder, director, and choreographer for Kissidugu, his percussion and dance theatre ensemble. He is training and performing with a variety of students; combining traditional performance styles and pieces from Guinea with his own insights and knowledge of rhythms and movement.
Fara has performed with many of the world’s premier musicians including Mamady Keita, Burning Spear, Neil Young, Sekouba Bambino, Otis Taylor, Joe Cocker, Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita Habibe Koite, B.B. King, Oumou Sangare, and many more…
Fara’s performance style has been described as mystical as he dazzles audiences around the world. As the director of Kissidugu, he has expanded his depth of knowledge to the realm of musical arrangement and choreography. Fara has a magical way of teaching everything from the basics to the beautiful intricacies of West African percussion to Western players of all levels and ages. His energetic and compassionate teaching style make him one of the most sought after drum and dance instructors in the United States.
Fara Tolno was born in Guinea, West Africa. He spent his youth in the village of Kissidugu and Guinea’s capital city, Conakry. Playing djembe since the age of nine, he has traveled extensively performing and teaching both drumming and dance. Fara spent nine years as the lead drummer for Les Merveilles de Guinea (The Wonders of Guinea) under the tutelage of West Africa’s most influential director and choreographer, Kemoko Sano. Fara is a keeper of the history, the music, and the dance in his culture. He holds a vision to build a school of Music, Dance and Education in his home of Guinea, West Africa. This school will help provide a sustainable way to ensure that the knowledge of the music, dance, and history of Guinea will be passed on to the next generation. Read more about this project and how to contribute here.
Currently based in Hawaii, Fara completed his MFA at the University of Colorado. Pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in dance has given him the opportunity to not only teach and share his culture, but to study many different forms of dance. He is taking this knowledge and finding ways to relate and merge the art form of dance and music from his culture with that of the western world. Fara is sharing this new and innovative perspective through his teaching in community and university classes, providing a one of a kind opportunity and outlook at traditional West African dance, and its relation historically and currently into the western world.
Fara is the founder, director, and choreographer for Kissidugu, his percussion and dance theatre ensemble. He is training and performing with a variety of students; combining traditional performance styles and pieces from Guinea with his own insights and knowledge of rhythms and movement.
Fara has performed with many of the world’s premier musicians including Mamady Keita, Burning Spear, Neil Young, Sekouba Bambino, Otis Taylor, Joe Cocker, Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita Habibe Koite, B.B. King, Oumou Sangare, and many more…
Fara’s performance style has been described as mystical as he dazzles audiences around the world. As the director of Kissidugu, he has expanded his depth of knowledge to the realm of musical arrangement and choreography. Fara has a magical way of teaching everything from the basics to the beautiful intricacies of West African percussion to Western players of all levels and ages. His energetic and compassionate teaching style make him one of the most sought after drum and dance instructors in the United States.