The course
will be based on the main fundamentals of Djembe drumming:
Technique:
Each day the
lesson will begin with warm up exercises working on count, hand position and
sound. Throughout the week exercises will increase in difficulty creating
higher challenges for the student resulting in stronger playing ability and
stamina for performance.
Along with
this 'call & answer' rhythms will be introduced with the master drummer
calling rhythms for the group to respond to, as these rhythms get learnt the
master drummer responsibility will be passed around the group to increase
confidence in performing.
Rhythms
(Singing & Playing):
With the
belief that if you can sing it you can play it a short amount of time will be
spent singing each new rhythm to help encourage confidence with playing and
learning new rhythms. As the group's ability to play more complex rhythms increases,
more than one rhythm will be played simultaneously creating polyrhythms. It
will be discussed with the group at how the rhythms integrate with each other
and how some rhythms work better together more than others.
All rhythms learnt will be in 4/4 or 6/8 time,
the group will be made aware of the difference in count, sound and feel between
common time and compound time. It also will be explained how 6/8 time is known
as 'roots' for djembe drumming.
History:
Each set of
rhythms have a unique history. Whether being used for a festival, wedding or
harvest the purpose of the rhythms will be explained along with its origins and
how it can even be heard in contemporary music today. The main tribes discussed
will be the Mandinka tribe from West Africa and the Nyabinghi tribe from East
Africa.
Playing
along:
During each
lesson students will play along to songs reinforcing their ability to play
pulse and rhythm demonstrating how African rhythms can be combined with
commonly known songs and performed with a group or on their own.
