The course will be based on the main fundamentals of
Djembe drumming and will constantly include games to stimulate learning and the
sounds used in African Drumming.
Technique:
Each day the lesson will begin with warm up exercises and
games working on count, hand position and sound. Games will help enhance leadership
skills, confidence in music and will make the learning experience engaging, fun
and interactive. Throughout the week exercises will increase in difficulty
creating higher challenges for the students 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 popular
'western' songs reinforcing their ability to play along to pulse and rhythm demonstrating
how African rhythms can be combined with commonly known songs.