Still we drum...

It has been a while since I last updated the AfroBeat Drumming blog but we are still going strong and continue to share our passion for drumming through our drum circles and drum performances. A few things have changed like we have a new website. www.afrobeatdrumming.co.za Check it out and let me know what you think and even what we could do to improve it. Share it with your family and friends thereby helping us share our love for drumming. Some of the content and photographs have remained the same but that will also be changing and hopefully be updated on a more regular basis. In our Shop, apart from the normal large & medium djembe drums and drum accessories which we have for sale, we now also have "talking drums" in stock. All our drums are imported from Ghana and Mali. And finally, you may now also skype us directly from the site. Whether you need a quote or would like to book a drum circle, we are just a click away.

Our weekly drum circle has also moved from Don Pedro to The Old Biscuit Mill, Albert Road, Woodstock. It's still being held on a Thursday evening from 19:30 - 21:30 although we do get carried away sometimes and drum till 10:00 before realising the time. Should you not be able to make the drum circle and would still like to try your hand at drumming why not attend the 4 week Beginners Course which is held at Bergvliet High School every term. Visit our website for more information. 

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Giving Back

We recently had the privilege to make a difference in the lives of a few people - directly and also indirectly.

First was for The Reach for a Dream Foundation to help fulfill the dream of a young 15 year old boy by the name of Denver. He is into drumming and his big dream was to have his very own drum kit. I was contacted by Adele Basson from Reach for a Dream who thought it might also be a great idea to run a small drum circle for him, his family and friends. So, one sunny Saturday morning Michelle and I went around to Denver’s home and did just that. Denver picked up the rhythms very quickly and towards the end of the session, even surprised us with a solo. I later learnt that he played the drums in the church band and although never having played the djembe drum before, he had loads of rhythm. He certainly enjoyed the drum circle, smiling from ear to ear, which definitely made it worth our while. Once it was over though, it was time for his big surprise. He received a full drum kit which you can imagine made our djembe drums pale in comparison. He immediately set about the task of setting it up. It was to take longer than expected and unfortunately we couldn’t stay to hear him play and possibly even jam along with him. I’m sure though that he has since spent many happy hours drumming.

The second opportunity was taking part in a fund raiser for Hear Now South Africa. We were asked to perform at their event which was held on a Friday evening at the backpackers lodge, Penthouse on Long. It was held on the roof of the backpackers and with perfect weather, we couldn’t ask for a better venue. Overlooking the skyline of Cape Town we performed two numbers, Lamba and Raboday. The performance, however, was really just a teaser for the drum circle we were to facilitate on Sunday afternoon where everyone would get a drum and join in the drumming.

So, on Sunday we were back at the Penthouse on Long to run the drum circle which as always, is a lot of fun and helped raise even more funds for Hear Now South Africa. For more information about them, visit their website - www.HearNowSA.com

Visit our website - www.afrobeatdrumming.co.za

AfroBeat Drum Circle

I am currently running a drum circle every Thursday evening at St. Mary's, Station Street, Woodstock. It is not a very big circle but certainly a lot of fun. I do run it more as a class where I teach various rhythms from all over Africa like Mali, Guinea and The DRC. A few of the rhythms I am currently teaching are Lamba, Fanga, Akiwowo, Raboday and Kassa. All the rhythms are played for very specific reasons like Kassa, a Guinean rhythm, which was played during the harvesting of crops and Akiwowo, a Nigerian rhythm of celebration. Raboday is a rhythm from Haiti, one of the few I teach from outside our African shores and a favorite amongst the students attending the circle on a regular basis. 

Now, I’m often asked if the drum circle is suitable for total beginners. To answer the question - the majority of the rhythms I teach have more than one part, some of them up to four parts, and there’s always a part or two that is simple enough for beginners. Once they’ve mastered the “easy” parts they can then move on to the other more complicated and challenging parts. Obviously, some people pick up the rhythms faster than others and so it is left up to the individual to decide when they’re ready to move on.

However, should you simply wish to attend the circle to experience the drumming and enjoy the vibe then that is also fine. But be warned, you may find yourself coming back for more!!

Drumming is also a great way to meet new people and often some of the students hang around afterwards enjoying a drink and socializing with the other drummers. A great way to make new friends and become a part of the djembe drumming community.

I myself have found that over the years my group of friends are nearly all drummers but if not, I’ve met them through the drumming.

So come along – it may just change your life!!

Check out the website for more info - www.afrobeatdrumming.co.za

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