Miami drums

What better way to learn something than experience it ? They say that travelling is the only way of real discovery. Tam Tam Mandigue Website has this wonderful trip to learn drumming in a drumm camp at Conakry, Guinea. The idea is just fantastic. I imagine a cultural assimilation also from a country with a wonderful history on drumming and music.
You can find out more about the Drum trip for 2007 at this address.
The cost is about US$1750 (1450 Euros) for a month, they have an alternative, smaller, course of three weeks. Price doesn’t include airfare, so It’s a good time to star looking for a roundtrip Miami – Conakry.

That’s what Djembefola means.
The website list some events up in Ireland. It has some very nifty flash movies to teach you Abondon and Kuku rhythm patterns. By far, I think the flash video is better embeded to the website, so, it becomes very useful as a learning tool.
Still amazes me the cultural delight for drumming, perhaps the most antique music expression constructed by humans. People from all over the globe feel a similar connection while creating music.
Salu2

Tintinsite has been creating multimedia content for the drumming community for quite some time. On their site you can find links for the DVDs they produced as well as some video references. They’ve produced the famous Jhon Yost DVD that covers West African rhythms. You can purchase the DVD and other resources on their site by Paypal or at Amazon.
Here’s a link for free Djembe instructional videos clips:Tintisite video page

D’Kultural Foundation in Association with Delou Africa Dance Ensemble, Re-Create & Move & Roots & Kulture Dance
PRESENTS
African Sabar Dance & Drum Workshops FEATURING:

Malik Faye—International Sabar Drum & Dance Artist
Fatou—MBaye– Primer Dancer of the National Ballet of Senegal

Bringing the Excitement of SABAR Songs, Rhythms & Dance Directly From Senegal

Cost is $10.00 per class
Sign Up Now!!!!!

FRIDAY September 29, 2006
Hosted By: Rootz & Culture Dance Ensemble
The Sadkin Center
1176 NW 42 Way , Lauderhill, Florida
6:30 Till 7:30 pm DRUM WORKSHOP
7:30 Till 9:00 pm DANCE WORKSHOP

DIRECTIONS: I-95 , exit Broward Blvd, go east to State Road 7 (441), go north on 12th street, go west on 12th street, Center is on t the street.

SATURDAY September 30, 2006
Hosted By: ReCreate & Move
Arts Academy of Hollywood
1955 Harrison Street, Hollywood Florida
3:30 Till 4:30 pm DRUM WORKSHOP
4:30 Till 6:00 pm DANCE WORKSHOP

DIRECTIONS: I-95 , exit Hollywood Blvd, go east to Harrison street, south (right) at the light, bldg is on the east (right) side at the end of the block.

SUNDAY October 1, 2006
Hosted By: Delou Africa Dance Ensemble
FIU North Campus Academic II 2nd Floor Dance Studio
3:00 Till 4:00 pm DRUM WORKSHOP
4:00 Till 5:30 pm DANCE WORKSHOP

DIRECTIONS: I-95 , exit Ives Dairy Rd., go east to Biscayne Blvd, south (right) to 151 street, enter campus, bldg is on the (right) side.

Contact: Dkuturalfoundation@ yahoo.com.
Or call 305-807-0398

Thank you to professorslap for the information!

On Buddy Helm’s Blog, I found an interesting article discussing the way North American players had transformed the African style into a more relaxed one. Click here to read it Where African masters teach a more powerful approach and with distinct Djembe three sound separation, later adopted by American users as a simpler 2 sounds.
Altough both people have a point, I feel like the entire discussion revolves around the player’s goal.
When I started playing drums, back when I was 15, I was told the ‘proper’ way to hold the sticks, and the ‘proper’ way to sit in front of my set, and eventhough I found it arbitrary at first, having a good technique, allowed me to progress and try to find a voice on my playing. Some players focus on speed, others on power, some others prefer to do a little less than most, and play with the silence as well as with sounds, I found those to be the best. Nevertheless, I think that each player has a quest on his hands everytime he/she plays.
Salu2

Browsing trhough the ocean of sounds and vibration online, I got into Rootsy Records A very interesting percussion website. On the first page we can read the phrase: “The Djembe is our bridge to peace“. That’s it! Finally!@… Folks, an alternative to frustrating conference calls, meetings and bridal showers. Play your Djembe and listen to other people play!. No more Mambo-Jambo, Chit-chat or small talk, communicate yourself with your Djembe! 🙂
Rootsyrecords not only teaches you about Djembe rhythms and their African roots, it has a nifty option to wacth videos on the subject. The page sells hand made african Djembes, CDs, shirts and other instruments.
It’s a great way to maintain and spread African musical culture, dancing and forgotten traditions.
They have some interesting videos on youtube.com – Nice African background 😛

While looing at Youtube.com, I found this extremely interesting video from the Chicago Djembe Project
It sounds very nice and have a nice art direction – Check it out

After buying Buda, my little Djembe, from Harold, an old villager at St. Elmo Village, I got back home looking for more than the drum circle at the beach.

Don’t take me wrong, I really enjoy the first 5 min… it’s very easy to end up with just a lot of noise 😛
That’s why I started this blog. I wanted to find out more about drums and music down in South Florida. Post places where people can get education, and information about the subject.
Next Saturday I’m starting a Djembe class with Professorslap down in Hollywood at The Goddess store.
So stay alive.

Salu2