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Kassa كاسا

A Malinké harvest rhythm adapted into a darbuka phrase with paired slaps and an answering bass line. [1][2]

4/4West Africa · Guinea / Malinké tradition

Hear the shape of the rhythm.

Basic
Darbuka
1DR
e—hold
&·rest
aSL
2SR
e—hold
&TR
aKL
3DR
e—hold
&·rest
aSL
4SR
e—hold
&TR
aKL
D · DumT · TekK · KaS · SlapP · PopR · RakZ · ZakKi Ti ki ti · ghost notesTra tra · tek + ka flam· · Rest
What do these notes mean?
Practise Kassa · BasicTry Classic

Musical context

  • Work & harvest

Names & context

Arabic name
كاسا
Other names & spellings
Kassá · Kasa

Basic and Classic adapt the supporting phrase transcribed from Mamady Keita’s Wassolon recording, adding Dum and Tek–Ka voicing for darbuka. Tone and slap response draws on Djembe Gorilla’s first accompaniment. These source versions differ; the backing is our reduced arrangement. [1][2]

Regions & traditions

  • West Africa

Musical use and influences can span several regions. [1][2]

Sources & further reading · 2 references
  1. B. Michael Williams · Mamady Keita’s Kassa, Percussive Notes (1997), p. 37
  2. Djembe Gorilla · Kassa · Full ensemble