# djembeföla! — West African drumming app

> Comprehensive West African drumming app with traditional rhythms and learning tools. (iPhone/iPad app by Tom Taylor.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/djembefola/id1093859891 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Tom Taylor](https://appshunter.io/developer/1093857730)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $4.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 35 App Store ratings · 45 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 13.4 · 158 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-03-22
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/djembefola/id1093859891/reviews.md

## What is djembeföla!?

Inspired by Master Djembeföla, Mamady Keïta, and designed for students and enthusiasts worldwide, djembeföla! is the most comprehensive West African drumming app available today.

Scroll through dozens of traditional rhythms, each with djembe and dunun parts, using sorting options such as Region, Ethnic Group, Cultural Purpose, and more.

Press play and following the djembe signal, the selected rhythm plays in a continuous loop, as the cursor visually marks each beat. With master tempo and volume controls, as well as separate volume sliders and mute buttons for each djembe and dunun part (including the dunun bells) djembefola! is infinitely customizable. A Signal Repeat selector allows the user to hear the signal repeat, and choose between several different intervals. A selectable Metronome function keeps you in time with traditional shekere or clave sounds.

Press the 'i' (info) button for more in-depth information about the rhythm, including maps -- information that is vital to the preservation of West African drumming culture.

Play it through headphones for individual woodshedding, or through a home stereo or PA system via WiFi or BlueTooth to play as a group.

Set the sorting function to 'LEVELS' and djembeföla! is uniquely set up to follow TamTam Mandingue Djembe Academy's curriculum for certification. With links to TTMDA and ClubTTM, djembeföla! is the perfect tool to help you achieve your TTMDA certification.

In-app purchases mean you can go at your own pace -- start with the Beginner Levels Module, and when you're ready, explore the Intermediate and Advanced Modules. There's even a Dununba Rhythms Module with 21 Dununba Rhythms, and now modules with rhythms created by Mamady Keïta.

Features:

• over 120 rhythms available in Version 2.0, 
• multiple sorting groups - alphabetical, ethnic group, region, purpose, and TTM curriculum levels
• actual recordings instead of samples - means it sounds organic and authentic instead of computer-generated.
• single page interface - you don't have to switch pages to view the notation, or change the mix.
• master tempo control - slide left or right for .75x to 1.5x the rhythm's default tempo, and simply tap the control to return the tempo to the rhythm's default value.
• individual mute and volume controls - emphasize whichever parts you want to hear more clearly.
• signal repeat option for repeating the signal at varying cycles
• new metronome options including shekere & clave
• in-app purchases - build your library of rhythms as you go, with available rhythm packs from Beginner to Advanced, and more

*note: with initial purchase, 8 rhythms have full functionality:  
Abondan
Balakulandjan
Bao
Denadon
Kotedjuga
Kuku
Mendiani
Takosaba

• links to TTMDA and ClubTTM - one of the world's most in-depth resources for West African drumming culture, the TTMDA site lists all kinds of drumming events and workshops, as well as links to TTMDA Certified Teachers all over the world. There's an online store, and with ClubTTM, there are countless hours of video posted by both Mamady Keïta and TTM Certified Teachers.

## Key features

- Dozens of traditional rhythms
- Djembe and dunun parts with individual controls
- Customizable tempo and volume
- Metronome with shekere/clave sounds
- In-depth rhythm information and maps
- Supports TTMDA curriculum for certification

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $4.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MK Originals Beginner Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| MK Originals Intermediate Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| MK Originals Advanced Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| BEGINNER Rhythm Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| INTERMEDIATE Rhythm Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| DUNUNBA Rhythm Pack | $14.99 | one-time |


## Chart rankings

- #93 in Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 45)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/djembefola/id1093859891/reviews.md

### 5/5 — this update is rad

*2026-02-24*

whoa! almost 5 dozen new Mamady Keïta Original Rhythms?!
(yes, we've been busy)

### 1/5 — Impossible d’acheter le pack débutant

*2025-12-26*

Dommage l’appli semble top mais on est limité à 4 rythmes… 2 tentatives d achats infructueux pour obtenir 43 nouveaux rythmes… impossible d obtenir une assistance

### 5/5 — Nice App for Djembe

*2025-09-07*

A great App for all who like the music of Mamady Keita, a truly Djembe-Legend. In the 90s i had the luck to organize some workshops in my hometown. His Timing, Sound everything was unbelievable. We miss you, Mamady!

### 1/5 — Getchaself goin’

*2025-03-12*

This collection of African rhythms is comprehensive and inspiring, for those who like super-complex rhythms (try playing together even two basic parts of any of these rhythms and you’ll say OMG!)
Also terrific for accompanying workouts: change pace, volume, (and mood!) with ease.

### 1/5 — 円安

*2025-02-22*

アプリを800円で購入したが、数曲しか再生できず、他にも聞きたい曲があったが2500円単位で高額な課金であった為、断念した。

### 5/5 — Ensemble in your pocket!

*2025-02-03*

The great Grand Master Djembeföla Mamady Keita strongly endorsed this approach! It’s like having a West African djembe ensemble in your pocket! It was designed to make learning djembe fun and thorough. All parts, oral history, maps are included, as are a metronome feature and lots of other great stuff!

### 2/5 — It's out of alignment

*2024-12-29*

I'm happy that new rhythms have been added, but there are some that are out of sync. For example, ANTA.

**Developer response:** pretty sure Anta was the only one doing that - for some reason.
sorry about that - the bugs have been fixed - please update the app (and please change your review?) 😌

### 4/5 — Ne fonctionne pas

*2024-09-29*

L’achat des packs ne fonctionne pas on ne peut pas accéder aux rythmes qui ne sont pas gratuits (la majorité)

**Developer response:** were you able to solve the issue?
could you please eMail me: djembefola2016@gmail.com 
what version of iOS are you running? it's probably something easy to fix.
also, please keep in mind that negative ratings hurt - if you were able to solve the issue, perhaps you could change your rating?

### 5/5 — Great for newbies

*2023-03-12*

I have no previous education in music and am learning djembe at age 56, so it’s not easy! This app allows me to get hear the different rhythms while I practice my part, or just listen to one rhythm to help me get it right.

### 5/5 — Hands down the best djembe app!

*2022-04-13*

I’ve been a professional percussionist, drum maker, and educator for almost 20 years, and this is far and away the best and most authentic and easy to use djembe education tool out there. The only app I’ve seen with so many legitimate and well researched West African rhythms, straight from the hands and heart of Mamady Kieta! Bravo in every way!

## Frequently asked questions about djembeföla!

### What is djembeföla!?

djembeföla! is a comprehensive mobile application designed for learning and practicing West African drumming. It offers a wide selection of traditional rhythms, each with separate djembe and dunun parts, allowing for detailed study and practice.

### What are the key features of djembeföla!?

Key features include over 120 authentic rhythm recordings, multiple sorting options (region, ethnic group, purpose, TTM curriculum), master tempo and individual volume controls, a selectable metronome, and in-depth information about each rhythm's cultural context.

### How does djembeföla! make money?

The app is free to download and includes 8 rhythms with full functionality. Additional rhythms and learning modules, such as Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Dununba Rhythms, are available for purchase within the app.

### Can djembeföla! help me get certified?

Yes, djembeföla! is uniquely set up to follow the TamTam Mandingue Djembe Academy's curriculum for certification when sorted by 'LEVELS'. It provides links to TTMDA and ClubTTM resources, making it an ideal tool for achieving TTMDA certification.

### What kind of rhythms are included?

The app features dozens of traditional West African rhythms, with over 120 available in version 2.0. These rhythms are categorized by region, ethnic group, cultural purpose, and are also aligned with TTMDA curriculum levels. Specific modules offer rhythms created by Mamady Keïta and a collection of 21 Dununba Rhythms.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4 — 2025-03-05

v2.0:
• 56 new Mamady Keïta Original rhythms 
• new shekere & clave metronomes 
• new rhythm packs 
• new notation guide pages 

v2.4:
• notation fixes for Abondan and Yankadi

### 2.3 — 2025-01-30

• 56 new Mamady Keïta Original rhythms 
• new shekere & clave metronomes 
• new rhythm packs 
• new notation guide pages

### 2.1 — 2024-12-17

• 56 new Mamady Keïta Original rhythms 
• new shekere & clave metronomes 
• new rhythm packs 
• new notation guide pages

### 2.0 — 2024-12-09

• 56 new Mamady Keïta Original rhythms 
• new shekere & clave metronomes 
• new rhythm packs 
• new notation guide pages

### 1.07 — 2020-07-14

- Fixed playback issues for iOS 12 and below devices

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## Related topics

[djembeföla!](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/djembeföla) · [djembe](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/djembe) · [djembetime](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/djembetime)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*