In Modern Drummer’s ongoing introduction to Jonathan Joseph’s book Exercises in African American Funk: Mangambe, Bikutsi, and the Shuffle; This month we will continue with Jonathan’s explanation of a unique African groove called Bikutsi. Bikutsi is a musical genre from Cameroon that features the 3:4 polyrhythm. It has roots in the traditional music of the Beti people, who live around the city of Yaounde’, along with various elements of the pop-rock idiom. The characteristic rhythm of the Bikutsi is a grouping of triplets in a four-note pattern. Elements of this chapter are directly related to lessons discussed in earlier issues of Modern Drummer. If you aren’t clear on the 3:4 polyrhythm, please review those lessons. Advertisement

July 2023 Issue