S Sanji (Sandji)
means ‘rain’ in Bambara (/ Malinke). Patterns I learned from Corinne Durin. She learned it from Mamadou Diabaté during a workshop in Victoria, Canada. There, it was indicated that these patterns are just exercises that eventually move towards the rhythm Sanji.
So here they are only meant as an exercise of different patterns that can be played interchangeably.
Mamadou Diabaté is from the Sambla ethnic group. Possibly the rhythm Sanji is a Sambla rhythm.
During the balafon meeting, where Corinne introduced the exercise, the participants were still enthusiastic about the beautiful combination of patterns! Notice that ‘✱’is not played anywhere. The ‘groove’ can nicely be used as an intro. The second part of the groove can also be transposed upwards (higher notes).
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