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Instrument Highlight : The Kora

By | Blog

The Kora

Our professional kora instruments are the product of high-quality contemporary workmanship paying respect to traditional West-African construction.

How beautiful is this Kora and Talking Drum jam from Mo and Simon 🪘

🎶  The playing style resembles the finger picking of a blues guitar.
🎶 Strings placement allows for playing chords and harmonies along with fast melodic runs.
🎶 To make these wonderful instruments, huge Guinean calabash gourds are skinned with African cow hide to serve as the heart.
🎶 Premium hardwood is meticulously hand-carved to form the necks, bridges and handles.
🎶  The twenty-one strings are made from competition-grade, ultra low-stretch, monofilament line.

Available in sizes from medium to extra large, each Kora is unique – a truely special instrument.

 

Caring for your Djembe Drum Skin

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To maximize the lifespan of your Djembe Drum skin…

WE RECOMMEND:

🪘 Proper Storage: In a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Avoid keeping it in damp or humid environments, as moisture can damage the skin.

🪘 Tuning: Regularly check and adjust the tension of the drumhead. Tuning helps distribute the tension evenly across the skin and prevents it from becoming too loose or too tight, which can lead to damage.

🪘 Maintenance and Conditioning: Periodically clean the drumhead with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust, dirt, and sweat which may accumulate on the surface.

🪘 Handle with Care: When transporting the drum or during any handling, be gentle and careful. Avoid dropping or mishandling the drum.

🪘 Use a drum bag or drumhead protector: To protect the body and head of the drum against knocking and other wear and tear. Purchase one here.

🪘 Proper Playing Technique: Using excessive force or striking the drum with sharp or hard objects can put strain on the skin and lead to premature wear and tear.

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND:

🪘 Excessive Heat or Cold: Excessive heat or cold, can cause the skin to stretch or contract, potentially leading to cracks or other damage. Avoid leaving your drum standing upright in the blistering sun, as it will act as a heat chamber. It’s better to lie it down on the ground so the air can get inside the body of the drum and keep it ventilated.

🪘 Excessive Moisture: Keep the drum dry, or if it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Moisture can cause the skin to become soft and loose tension, affecting its sound quality and durability.

🪘 Exposure to Chemicals: Keep the drum away from harsh chemicals, cleaning agents, and solvents, as they can damage the skin. Additionally, be cautious about using any substances on your hands, such as lotions or oils, before playing the drum, as they may leave residue on the skin.

By following these guidelines, you can help maximize the lifespan of the skin on your djembe drum and ensure it stays in good condition for an extended period – keeping you livin for the rhythm!!  🎶 🪘

Unifier Team Workshops

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Unifier Team Workshops

Drumming is a form of improvisation that encourages experimentation and creativity.

💡 When your team is encouraged to experiment,
they are more open to innovative ideas and solutions 💡

Our Unifier Workshop fosters teamwork and collaboration among employees, laying a solid foundation for trust and creativity.
Outcomes: Team bonding & enhanced cooperation
Length: 30 – 60 minutes

Learn more here.

🪘 Drum Highlight: Dunun

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Dunun Drums

Dunun (also known as dundun and doundoun) are the bass drums of the West African ensemble, named by the Mandé blacksmiths.

The drums were developed alongside the djembe in the Mande drum ensemble. Dunun patterns are the heart of a rhythm – while the djembe and hand drum parts are often interchangeable, the dunun pattern is unique.

A set comprises of these 3 drums:
🪘Kenkeni – smallest and highest pitch drum
🪘Sangban – middle sized and pitched drum
🪘Dununba – largest and deepest pitched drum

We stock a huge range of duns, from light weight mini & stumpy duns which are perfect for kids and school programs right up to pro-level hardwood duns from across the West African region.

https://www.africandrumming.com.au/product-category/dunun/

 

Top Picks for Little Ones

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African Drumming’s Top Picks for Children

Studies show that children who play instruments have increased aptitude.
Drumming stimulates the learning centres of the brain, assisting in the development of motor skills, coordination & concentration – as well as encouraging creativity and being great fun.

Start the little muso in your life off on their musical journey with one of our many great packs for purchase through African Drumming.

To purchase, click here.

We are also specialists in School & Kinder Workshops as well as kids parties! Follow this link to find out more!

mini djembe  kids djembe gift pack  Mano Mini Tambourines from African Drumming

Drumming for Wellness Online Class

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Drumming for your Wellbeing

The act of drumming can release endorphins and dopamine in the brain, leading to feelings of pleasure and happiness 🪘🧠

Book your spot in our ‘Drumming for Wellness’ online course on Saturday 3rd of June, or if you can’t make it then, our next class is on Saturday 5th November.

10am-12pm (AEST): Drumming for Social Connectivity
1pm-3pm (AEST): Drumming for Mindfulness

Drumming for Social Connectivity
Drumming is a powerful vehicle for encouraging skill development around a range of social skills.

Drumming for Mindfulness
Drumming can be an incredible meditative tool, allowing participants to focus on the beats, the drum, or their hands, and truly experience themselves in the “here & now”, while promoting awareness of feelings, thoughts and behaviour.

For more information visit this link.

rhythm power tour  Djembe classes melbourne

Spring Drum Retreat – October 2023

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Our Spring Drum Retreat is back on October 6th – 8th 2023!

We have a great line up of teachers in a pristine location, with workshops for all levels, communal Bonfire Jams, and great vibes!

– Classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels
– Welcoming Ceremony with Valanga
– Morning Yoga warm up!
– Classes in Dunun and Djembe
– Legendary Bonfire Jams.
– Set in the beautiful Great Otway national park

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Reserve your spot by submitting the online form here: https://www.africandrumming.com.au/tours…/spring-retreat/

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Family and group rates are available – please ask us for more info

[email protected]

(03) 9525 3073

Steel Tongue Drums

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Our Steel Tongue Drum boasts long sustain and beautiful harmonies.

They are easy to pick up and play, making them excellent for teaching and improvisation.

🎵 Tones from these instruments are created through the vibrating tongue of steel.
🎵 When a tongue is quickly and lightly struck with the finger or mallet, it vibrates, creating sound waves.
🎵 We recommend playing the instrument with your fingers or mallets.
🎵 All Happy drums include mallets and a padded carrying case.

Check out our guide to Steel drums here.

Now priced at $299 , click the link below to view our range :

https://www.africandrumming.com.au/product-category/handpans-and-tuned-percussion/happy-drums/

 

*Pricing correct as at 1 May 2023, please see our website for current price.

Melbourne Teacher Training – 6 & 7 May 2023

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Become a certified African Drumming Facilitator with us!

Our Teacher Training Courses give you the road-ready skills and resources to run successful drumming sessions for all age groups.

🪘 No prior musical experience necessary
🪘 Available on demand anywhere in Australia and online via Zoom.
🪘 Courses are aligned with the Australian Government Schools Curriculum

Have more questions? Click on this link.

Our next in-person course is at our home in St Kilda, Melbourne !  Details as below:

Level 1: Saturday 6th May
Level 2: Sunday 7th May
9:30am – 3:30pm

Bookings here…

See you there!

Community Classes

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Community Drumming Classes

🎵 Making new friends and learning new grooves 🎵

Whether you’ve never played a drum before or you’re a drumming rockstar looking for a new challenge, everyone is welcome in our Community Classes.

Our classes run in 6 week cycles and our 3rd class cycle for the year kicks off at the start of May:
🪘Beginners Djembe – Starts at 6:15pm on Monday 1st of May
🪘Intermediate Djembe – Starts at 8pm on Monday 1st of May
🪘Middle Eastern Percussion – Starts at 6:30pm on Tuesday 2nd of May

Book your spot here:
https://www.africandrumming.com.au/classes/community-drum-classes/

Staff Drumming Workshop

Instrument Highlight: Indo Djembes

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Our Indo Djembe range comes in sizes for all ages !  From the 12cm Djembaby up to 60cm plus.

  • These quality drums are made from Eco-friendly plantation mahogany (hardwood) and topped with quality goat skins.
  • There are also vegan options available in plus sizes 40cm,50cm & 60cm.
  • Each purchase comes with a free Drum Care and Tuning Guide.
  • This series is produced by our team in Indonesia, offering quality djembes at affordable prices. 

5% of revenue from our Indo djembes are donated to the East-Java plant a tree program.

To view the range and purchase, click here. There is also an optional bag-add on option, which when purchased together you received 10% off the bag!

If you’d like to know more about our drum range, watch this clip , the Indo range are featured from 2:24 minutes.  

Enduro Djembe Class

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Our next Enduro Djembe Class is coming up on Monday 24th April 2023 !

🎶 Musical fitness for the body and mind! 🎶

Enduro Djembe is an uninterrupted journey designed to improve your listening skills and strengthen your sounds, stamina and solo repertoire. We begin with technique and build into a steady groove, layering solo phrases until the final crescendo one hour later.

🪘 Both online and in-person with our Director, Simon, as your teacher.
🪘 Catered for Intermediate and Advanced level students.
🪘 Enduro kicks off at 6:30pm on Monday April 24th.

Click the link below to secure your ticket 👇🏽
https://www.africandrumming.com.au/product/online-enduro-djembe-ticket/

Mali Weave

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West African drums are not tuned to an objective note, but to a subjective pitch.

In other words…there is no right or wrong sound! 🎵
Djembes, bougarabou and dunun are tuned by weaving knots into the vertical ropes. Each knot increases the tension on the hide, raising the pitch of the drum. 🪘

The most common tuning technique is called the Mali Weave. 🇲🇱

Grab yourself a Djembe today.

The Benefits of Drumming

By | Retreats Slider, Rhythm & Health, Vic Retreat Slider, Workshops-Slider

Drumming is good for you & your health!

We’re still buzzing from our awesome Summer Tribalism event in December. It was so much fun seeing everyone perform and jam together.

Did you know?

“West African drumming as a ‘shared energy’ experience has the power to positively impact participants’ lives, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Exploring another culture helps to dispel myths and encourages discussion that may promote cultural diversity and respect in a multicultural Australia.” 🪘🇲🇱🇦🇺
This research article was written after a study that was conducted at one of our annual drumming retreats in Victoria.
New classes for 2023 start next week on the 16th of January.
Head here to book your spot 👇🏽

Bali Drum Camp 2023

By | Bali Slider, Blog, Retreats Slider

West Africa meets tropical paradise on our Bali Drum Retreat for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level drummers on the serene island of Bali in Indonesia.

Tour Dates: 14-24th May 2023 🌴 Location: Candidasa regionBali 🌴Rates: $1650 – $2100, depending on room choice.

♪ Directed by acclaimed percussionist & teacher Simon Fraser, this camp is a prime opportunity to expand your knowledge of West African music.
♪ A minimum of 4 hours of tuition per day with classes for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
♪ Our program will fast track your playing through repetition, dexterity and technique.
♪ Lots of chill time in beautiful Bali

Sign up here

Sign up here

Meet the Teachers!

Simon Fraser

Founder of Melbourne-based African Drumming, Simon has been studying,
performing, recording and teaching throughout West Africa, Europe and Australia
since the 1990’s.

Boubacar Gaye

Bouba first laid his hands on a drum in Senegal at the budding age of 14.
With an energy and peace of mind resonating from deep within – Bouba speaks a thousand words with his drum.

Catur Hariwijaya

 Catur is passionate about uniting ethnic music styles, regularly
composing and performing works that draw upon traditions from indigenous music from Indonesia and beyond.

We hope to see you there!

Bali Info Pack

Cajon Workshops

By | Blog, More Workshops Slider

Cajons are box shaped drums that originate from Africans in South America.

Today, it is the national instrument of Peru and is popular in folkloric music traditions from Cuba to southern Spain, as well as contemporary music.

This workshop is presented by Tawanda, who has travelled and lived extensively across Africa and the Americas, and is a renowned cajon maker.

The workshop goes through the evolution and journey the instrument has taken across the globe and celebrates the different ways it is played from region to region and the shared meaning it has for those who play it.

Recommended session length: 30-75 minutes, depending on the age group.

Enquire here or Learn more with this video below.

Boxing Day Sale

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Just because there isn’t a drum shaped gift waiting for you under the tree, doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.
We’ve got a sweet BOXING DAY SALE coming up!
You can spend the summer months playing a beautiful new Master Series Djembe.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to perfect your skills on some Primo Series Duns.
No matter what your preference, there’s plenty of amazing drums on sale to choose from.
  • Get 25% off African Djembes, Duns & Dougarabous.
  • Free shipping options.
  • Use code BOX25 at checkout.

You did such great job wrapping presents for everyone else, now it’s time to get a gift for yourself!

A Special Message from Burkina Azza 🪘

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Our friends from Burkina Azza have just sent through this huge THANK YOU to all the generous souls who participated in our Tribalism Raffles during the year.
As you know, the money we raised was sent to their community in Ouagadougou to support them and their families in these tough times.
They have had another military Coup this year, off the back of terrorist attacks in their village and ongoing drought and floods …. no joke!
Adama (the leader and eldest brother) says thank you from him and his family.
He wishes you all the best from Burkina and introduces his father Zoura and the giant balafon (xylophones) which is the ongoing and ancient source of their musical linage.