Congo is known for producing a long list of some of Africa’s best known guitar heroes like Franco Luambo Makiady, Dr Nico, Roxy Thsimpaka, Popolipo Beniko and many more. What do they all have in common? Absolute masters of rhythm.

Across Africa the traditional rhythms have all found their way into influencing modern guitar styles. In Senegal, Mbalax guitarists like Doudou Conare (Omar Pene & Super Diamono, Cheikh Lô) are able to dissect the beat into such tiny fractions and emphasise accents exactly in the same way that the Sabar drums do.

In Zimbabwe, legendary Chimurenga guitarists like Clive Mono Mukundu (Oliver Mtukudzi, Chiwoniso) draw influence from the traditional Hosho (shakers) and rhythms of the Mbira (thumb piano) then apply their muted picking technique to create the signature sound.

If you want your guitar playing to make people dance you must develop advanced rhythmic knowledge. Check out Niwel Tsumbu’s courses below to learn the approach that paved the way for him to play on Grammy award winning albums.