Classes

Our program is a 10 week course with a 1 hour session per week. A typical one hour class will begin with an explanation of proper technique, followed by some fun rhythmic games and exercises. The class then learns some simple traditional African music. All the instruments are supplies by us. A great introduction for students to hand drums and drumming together.

At the end of the 10-week course, a concert will be held at a suitable venue.

Drumming Parties

All children love music, especially at a party! Why not choose an upbeat musical activity for your party where children of all ages can participate and enjoy themselves indoors or out.

Our kids drumming parties are all about fun! We cater for children of all ages and abilities. We create events that keep children completely captivated and engaged while adults can look on with big smiles on their faces. Beware as we may even include the adults!

    We provide each child with a kids' size drum or percussion instrument. Our professional facilitator then lead them on a rhythmical journey by creating a series of very powerful and stimulating games. Each game may last anything from 1 to 20 minutes depending on the games and ages of the children.

    The facilitation techniques we use are based on intuitive universal language gestures and symbols that work in any group. Our rhythm sessions are fun, exciting, and therapeutic with life-skill lessons woven into the process. The drumming is intuitive, spontaneous, and highly personalized. It allows for the greatest amount of creativity and self-expression within a structured and disciplined process

 

What are Drum Circles? 

Drumming is an ancient musical tradition that many cultures around the world use to energize, build unity, focus attention, relax and heighten creativity. No matter what our age and ability, whenever we hear drumming, we all begin to move to those universal rhythms inside us. A community drum circle is a group of people who come together to make in-the-moment music. No musical experience is necessary! With a few rhythm starters, the circle begins to experience the fun, excitement and humor that collaboration brings.                                   

What kinds of drums are played in drum circles? 

Originally from West Africa, the djembe has spread around the world to become the trademark instrument of the world-beat movement. Since at least 500 A.D., the djembe has been used in healing ceremonies, rites of passage, ancestor worship, warrior rituals, and social dancing.

The doumbek is a goblet shaped drum that originated in the Middle East. It's generally played by holding the drum in your lap under your left arm and striking it with the fingers of both hands.

   The Bongos originated in West Africa, but the shape and instrument that we know today developed in Cuba. Bongos are traditionally played in pairs and were originally designed to be played supported between the knees.
 Congas originated in West Africa, but modern congas are usually based on a Cuban design. You can get a single drum like this one or buy a conga paired with a slightly smaller Tumba or Quinto for more variations in tone. They're played with the hands and can be played sitting or standing.  

A family of West African instruments related to the Nigerian Culture, the Ashiko is a cone-shaped drum. Its shape produces rich, balanced tones: a crisp, dry slap and sustained, sonorous bass. Some are tuned with drumkeys and some are rope-tuned like this one. Traditionally they are made of wood.

The frame drum is one of the earliest musical instruments known and it's found all over the world.

A tambourine is a  frame drum with jingles around the rim. This is another common instrument with ancient roots; it seems to turn up everywhere. Tambourines come with and without drumheads, tunable and fixed pitch, and in many different sizes.

Various other instruments are used to fill out the drum circle. Soft sounding percussion like wood blocks and shakers. As well as metallic sounds, such as triangles and agogos.

 

An Introduction to African drumming 

Djembe Drums  

The Djembe is a West African drum that came from the Malinke people in the Northeast of Guinea. The Djembe migrated to the Mali empire in the 9th Century and is now found in Senegal and the Ivory Coast. Traditionally made of carved hardwood and covered in goat skin, the Djembe's sharp, bright sound and dynamic range of colours made it an ideal drum for healers, storytellers, accompanying dance, and for communicating between villages. The Djembe has become the most popular African drum to be played outside of Africa, spreading around the world to become the hallmark instrument of the worldbeat movement. Since at least 500 A.D., the Djembe has been used in healing ceremonies, rites of passage, ancestor worship, warrior rituals, and social dancing. 
                           

The Benefits of Drumming

  
Rhythm has been used for thousands of years as a means to create and maintain health and well being. The therapeutic value of music has been recognised and employed since a very early stage in the history of mankind and medicine. Within many cultures the power of music to challenge disease is undisputed.

    * Creates unity, team spirit & group bonding
    * Encourages cooperation above competition
    * Breaks down barriers between people
    * Promotes equality among people
    * Anyone can participate, all ages and diverse backgrounds
    * Lifts the energy and motivates
    * Enhances imagination and creative thinking
    * Promotes relaxation, relieves stress
    * Improves communication and listening skills
    * Stimulates left brain/ right brain coordination
    * Unique, highly memorable and FUN!


Drums and percussion are of paramount importance in traditional healing techniques across many cultures. In many societies music plays an important part of the rituals designed to resolve disputes and heal the community. In Africa, the roundness of the drum represents the whole universe, and its strong steady beat is the pulse, the heart of the universe.