easy to appreciate, difficult to master
The Tribal Fingerstyle Guitar
In Congo, there are 450 tribes, 450 dialects, 450 rhythms, and 450 different ways of music-making. If there’s one thing that unites them all, it’s the fingerstyle guitar technique. It uses every last inch of the fretboard to create a virtual concerto of sound. It’s an incredibly deep tradition. So deep that many tribal musical elders guard these techniques and are suspicious about sharing their wisdom with outsiders. Complex melodic structures, syncopated rhythmical percussive playing techniques and a musical approach so different to the norm make this journey to a whole new plectrum-free zone essential study for any serious guitarist.
The True Knowledge Could Only Be Found At The Source…..
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The Fingerstyle Guitar Curriculum
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Module 1 - An Introduction To Tribal Guitar Styles - 23.58
- Lesson 1 – Introduction To Rumba Music – Tabu Ley4.13
- Lesson 2 – Mokoli Na Kufa Slowed Down3.25
- Lesson 3 – How African Melodies Relate To Simple Scales4.35
- Lesson 4 – Understanding Intervals In Congolese Music4.37
- Lesson 5 – Learn Franco Luambo Makiadi’s Guitar Style3.31
- Lesson 6 – 3rds, 6ths, 9ths – Congolese Guitar Intervals3.37
Module 2 - The Music Of The Ba Kongo - 47.53
- Lesson 7 – Introduction To Ba Kongo Music5.19
- Lesson 8 – Chord-melody Guitar Lines6.27
- Lesson 9 – The Music Theory Behind It7.15
- Lesson 10 – Yamba Ma Pasa Slowed Down 6.29
- Lesson 11 – The B Section And Left Hand Details5.34
- Lesson 12 – Traditional Congolese Right Hand Guitar Techniques5.26
- Lesson 13 – Right Hand Five Finger Guitar Method4.28
- Lesson 14 – Your Route Around The Fretboard7.25
Module 3 - The Sounds Of The Ba Ngala - 30.51
- Lesson 15 – The Music Of Northern Congo – Ba Ngala 2.59
- Lesson 16 – The Basic Patterns Of Ekoloko8.34
- Lesson 17 – Combining The Chords And Melody3.50
- Lesson 18 – Breaking Down The Details5.01
- Lesson 19 – The A Section With The Metronome1.27
- Lesson 20 – Learning The Bridge5.28
- Lesson 21 – Putting The Whole Thing Together4.32
The Ultimate Learning Experience
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interactive on-screen notation
Our state of the art learning technology speeds up studying with innovative, interactive tools. Access on-screen notation, tablature, animated fretboards, variable tempos, and more today.
live masterclass and q&a
Gain further insights into the traditional fingerstyle guitar genres of Congo by discovering more about the regional styles of music making throughout the country.
the sound of tribal congo
Educate yourself about Congo’s Ba’Ngala, Ba’Mongo, Ba’Luba and Kikongo tribes by learning about their background and history.
songs of the nations
Hear Niwel’s unique Congolese world-fusion style on his 2008 solo album ‘Songs Of The Nations’ available for digital download.
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Become Fluent in African Bass
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tribal fingerstyle guitar – online course
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interactive on-screen notation
£77
live masterclass and q&a
£17
the sound of tribal congo
£10
songs of the nations
£10
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Learning to play the African fingerstyle guitar has never been this easy, and it’s also never been this affordable. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s nothing to lose.
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Meet Your Teacher
Let the World Music Method set you on the right road. Take it easy, take it slow, build your confidence and master the art. Explore the vibrant roots and invigorating rhythms of Congolese music with one of its most accomplished practitioners.
Back in the day, Niwel Tsumbu was borrowing bits of fishing line and bike cable to build his guitars. Now he’s performed the world over with the likes of Buena Vista Social club, Natty Wailer and Baaba Maal. He’s recorded with Sinead O’Connor, Nigel Kennedy and Michael O’Suilleabhgin. He’s even written a symphony for the radical 20-piece Surge Orchestra.
From Irish folk to jazz, classical, rock and flamenco, Niwel’s story is one of cross-genre, cross-cultural exploration, improvisation, collaboration and integration. But with this session he’ll take you right back to the fundamental rhythms of his African roots in Congo. Where it all began. Niwel is a real one-off. Don’t miss the chance to benefit from learning with this master musician.
Online Fingerpicking Guitar Lessons
Put aside the theory for a moment. Instead, get to grips with the Ba Mongo tribe’s mainstream must-know classic “Mokoli Na Kufa”. Then get your newly fast-moving fingers working on the Ba Yombe song “Yamba Mapasa”. Then Franco Luambo Makiadi’s hit “Ngorombe”. You are guided all the way by Niwel’s patient dissection and demonstration of how all the component parts of the style slot together. Using the Method’s full set of teaching tools (mult-view video, notation, multi-tempo exercises) you’ll unconsciously absorb the theory into your playing practice. The style is incredibly versatile. So versatile that it’ll even handle an adaptation of the Ba Ngala tribe’s accordion classic “Ekoloko”.
Don’t believe it? Let Niwel take you to a whole new plectrum-free zone to show you how.
….. deep, previously undocumented arrangements from multiple tribes.
…..the traditional whole hand fingerstyle method popular throughout the region.
….. the timeless techniques of african villagers into simple musical theory.
….. fingerstyle skills from scratch in just a few content-rich lessons.
Master Fickerpicking Guitar
lifetime access to the course and all bonuses for only
£97