AfroBeat Drumming

Still we drum...

2011-01-17T17:02:00.004+02:00

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

2010-03-31T16:58:00.014+02:00

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

2010-02-08T19:49:00.011+02:00

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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Sun Things drum

2009-11-29T13:27:00.008+02:00

Another week has passed. Almost another month too and then the festive season will be upon us. Can’t believe the year has gone by so quickly. Next year is of course 2010 and the big event in this country will be the Soccer World Cup. Do hope I will also benefit from it in some small way.

Okay so looking back over the past week, apart from the regular jobs of teaching at the schools and my drum circle, we had a great gig on Wednesday morning for 50 people. It ended up being for 56 people but as I was only advised an hour before leaving, I was only able to provide 53 drums. The extra three people had to play percussion instruments. Had I known earlier I would’ve been able to provide the extra drums.

On route to the gig with Dave and Russell who were to assist me, we were almost involved in a car accident with another vehicle who almost hit me going around a corner. Of course I get blamed when he was the one who attempted to change lanes whilst going around the corner. Who does that?? Oh and wasn’t I called some choice names when he swung around behind me and came up alongside me on the other side. Hectic drivers in Cape Town, I think he needs to drum to release a bit of that tension.

Anyway, we arrived at the venue safely and discovered that apart from four men, the rest of the group was woman The company, Sun Things, makes ladies swimwear so I guess that it would be understandable for most of them to be woman. Russell suggested to them that the next time they should all be wearing the swimwear – typical Russell, but you got to love him though.

I knew from the outset that it was going to be a great gig as the ladies were already buzzing with excitement when we arrived and I wasn’t wrong. Each group is very different and I can normally tell if it’s going to go well or not and I’m seldom wrong. They all thoroughly enjoyed themselves in spite of a few complaints about their hands getting sore. It always happens as everybody gets carried away and beats the hell out of the poor drum. My response to them is that goat is already dead so there’s no use to trying to kill it any further. It does of course take a few months of regular drumming before your hands get accustomed to it.

I was hoping to get a few pics of the event but I unfortunately left my camera at home. One of the ladies was taking pics and I did request that they email me a few and when they do, I’ll add one to the blog and maybe to my website.

I also forgot to take my camera along to the school as I was planning on doing (see previous blog – My drum and the school.) David where is your brain??? Hopefully I won’t forget to take it along this week. Well I can’t forget as there are only two more weeks and then the schools break up and I’d still like to give each of the children a copy. Someone please remind me!!!

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

My drum and the school

2009-11-22T11:48:00.009+02:00

It’s been an interesting week with the “big” event being the splitting of my drum skin. I was working on my computer when I heard a huge bang similar to that of an exploding plug. I almost jumped out of my skin and was initially concerned about my laptop thinking perhaps the charger had exploded. Once I’d ascertained that that wasn’t the problem I sat there for a moment wondering what it could’ve been when it dawned on me it was the sound of a drum skin popping. I knew immediately it had been the skin on my own personal drum even though I’ve got 40 odd drums which I use when facilitating my drum circles. I need to purchase a few more as I like to keep 50 in stock but I’ve sold some over the past few months.
Anyway, I knew it had been my drum which had split as I’d nicked the skin slightly when removing the hair after replacing it a few months ago. It may not have happened but I decided to tighten it some more a week ago. Fortunately the skin split in such a way that I was able to use it to repair one of my smaller drums which needed a new skin. Recycle!!!
Just as well I have another drum as I had to facilitate a class at a school later that day. The class went very well although half my students were absent as he school had come out earlier and most had already gone home. The school is in a disadvantaged area where the children are susceptible to getting into drugs and gangs and so I go with the hope of making a small difference in their lives. They really enjoy it and already want to put on a performance even though they’ve only been drumming for 2½ months. They’re also all Afrikaans speaking which is quite a challenge for me as my Afrikaans is not my first language. I don't think I do too badly though although one of the children once said to me, “Oh, just speak English!” I had to laugh!!!

I would like to go into more disadvantaged schools/areas and teach the kids drumming but I can’t do it for nothing as I still need to make a living. The school I’m at is paid for by a charity in Norway. So, if anyone would like to sponsor me in doing just that and hopefully changing the lives of a few children, please get in touch.
Contact details on my website! - www.afrobeatdrumming.co.za
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In the beginning

2009-11-15T13:43:00.011+02:00

Thought I should also jump on the band wagon and start a blog for my business Afrobeat Drumming. Of course, I’m not only my business and so I may from time to time also share my thoughts and even write about things which go on in my life.
So, where shall I start? Guess the beginning might be a good idea. I started AfroBeat Drumming a few years ago when I was retrenched from the bank as the work we were doing was relocated to Kempton Park, Gauteng. We were given the choice of either going with or being retrenched. A no brainer really for anyone living in Cape Town. There was no way I was gonna relocate to Gauteng. I’d rather deal with our erratic weather, cold wet winters, the South Easter and poor driving. (Don’t let me get started on the driving) I also don’t know anyone in Gauteng and probably would’ve ended up becoming more of a recluse than I think I already am. I would’ve been too nervous to go out out of fear of being mugged or hijacked. Not of course that it couldn’t happen here but at least I can phone a friend if it happened , or should I say I’ve phoned a friend when it did happen. But rather it happened in Cape Town than in Gauteng where I don’t know a soul.
So AfroBeat Drumming was started after searching for employment and not even landing the occasional interview. I will admit to foolishly thinking I’d find a job after leaving the bank, but I kinda forgot I was a white male living in the NSA (new South Africa) – viva!!!! Not that I hold it against anyone - this whole apartheid thing sucked anyway!!! My life has been so much more interesting since its demise. I’ve mingled and become friends with people I never would have met in the past. Like the party I attended last night where I was the only white dude!! It was very interesting and entertaining - maybe tell you about it sometime.
Anyway, I was forced to make a living for myself and I’d been drumming for a good few years already and knowing I could possibly make some money from it, AfroBeat Drumming was born. Think it’s a cool name myself – what do you think?? It’s been an interesting few years working for myself but I haven’t always enjoyed it. I like to be busy but as the work comes and goes, I find I have too much free time on my hands which sometimes freaks me out. You know what they say about the devil and idle hands……
I will admit I never thought my life would take this turn and yet here I am. I run a weekly drum class on a Thursday evening at Don Pedro in Woodstock (looking for a larger venue - if anyone can help), teach drumming at a few schools as an extra mural activity and then facilitate drum circles for team building and at parties and functions.
For more information feel free to visit the website.
www.afrobeatdrumming.co.za
For updates relating to all drumming events follow AfroBeat Drumming on twitter.

Okay so let me publish this - later!!!
David