We are beyond excited to announce the return of our St Kilda community djembe classes on November 2nd 😃
Every Monday night, with classes limited to 10 students. Registrations must be made online so first in best dressed guys!
Beginners @ 6:15pm
Intermediates @ 8pm
Sign up now
Do you love West African bolga baskets as much as we do? Check out our sister company Bashiri African Imports: bringing you the most gorgeous handmade designs from Ghana. Each basket is unique, handwoven from sustainable elephant grass by our amazing artists.
We have a wide variety of beautiful baskets available including:
Round baskets
Pot baskets
Oval baskets
Bicycle baskets
Baby baskets
Laundry baskets
Introducing our brand new LP Matador series bongos. Ideal for musicians looking for traditional styling and professional-quality sound at an affordable price. These Wood Bongos feature Siam Oak shells, rawhide heads and traditional rims. Available in almond and gold.
Includes:
Siam Oak shells
7-1/4″ and 8-5/8″ natural rawhide heads
Traditional rims
Matching conga set available
5/16″ diameter tuning lugs, steel backing plate and plated cast aluminum bottoms
Matching congas available
Tuning wrench included
Spring is here and we’ve got a new collection of djembe cloth bags from Ghana to mark the season! Available in a wide variety of colours, these cloth bags are the perfect home for your djembe.
Featuring reinforced sewn straps, a padded lid and a draw-string closure.
Handmade in Ghana, West Africa.
Our online Teacher Training courses will enable you with the tools, skills and resources to run your own African Drumming classes.
No prior musical experience necessary and courses are available via Zoom and are aligned with the Australian Government Schools Curriculum.
Level 1
Saturday 12th September 2020 9.30am – 3.30pm (AEST)
Level 2
Sunday 13th September 2020 9.30am – 3.30pm (AEST)
Level 3
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November 2020 9.30am – 3.30pm (AEST)
Drumming is an incredibly powerful tool in teaching and building resistance and growth in a changing world. In an effort to bring people together and equip teachers with new musical tools and resources, we have introduced a brand new Professional Development workshop called “Adjusting to Change.”
This workshop will run online via ZOOM and will be led by qualified African Drumming facilitator Brianna Slattery.
September 19th
10am-12pm (AEST): Drumming for Adaptation skills and Resilience
1pm-3pm (AEST): Drumming for Leadership skills and Confidence
Drumming for Adaptation skills and Resilience
Adapting to change has become an increasingly relevant topic in recent times. The drum is a powerful tool for teaching about and building resilience, grit and a growth mindset. Through games, rhythm activities and ensemble arrangements, we will investigate the ways in which drumming can enable us to practice coping with change. By the end of this training, you will be equipped with a range of ideas for addressing adaptation and resilience through the joy of playing music together.
Drumming for Leadership skills and Confidence
Drumming is an excellent modality for teaching skills and strategies that build and strengthen confidence. Through exploring rhythm games, ensemble arrangements and facilitation styles, we will address ways in which drumming can empower participants to engage and interact confidently. We will look at ensemble features such as leadership, collaboration, soloing and dynamics, and how these concepts can foster the development of confidence and leadership skills.
We’re in stage 4 lockdown here in Melbourne, but that’s not stopping us from sharing the rhythm! We have plenty of online classes and online training to keep you warm and inspired throughout August and beyond!
Online Community Class Cycle #6 – Join from August 11th 2020
Enduro Djembe – August 15th 2020
Teacher Training Online Courses – Level 1 & 2 on September 12th-13th 2020
Online Professional Development (Drumming for Social Connectivity and Mindfulness) – August 22nd 2020
Online Professional Development (Adapting to Change) – September 19th 2020
Victorian Spring Retreat – November 20th – 22nd 2020
Bali Drum Camp – May 16th – 26th 2021
Online Orders
Our online shop is fully operational, with same-day dispatch as always.
Australia Post is fully operational Australia wide.
We can still dispatch international orders outside of Australia, however please keep in mind that deliveries may be delayed due to the global pandemic.
If you’d like a country-specific update from Australia Post, you can visit this link for all the info.
Click & Collect
Customers won’t be able to enter our St.kilda shop, but you can purchase online and collect your order from our shop.
We are adhering to government regulations, so you won’t be able to come into the shop, but when you get here please give us a call and we’ll bring your order out front for a contactless pickup.
Office hours
Our offices are fully operational with our team working from home at standard operating hours
Monday – Friday @9am – 5pm
You can reach us at our office number (03) 95253073
Email: [email protected]
Stay safe everyone and long live the rhythm!
Originating from Ghana and pronounced “us-la-twa,” the aslatua is played by holding and shaking one gourd in the palm while swinging the second gourd around. The simple and traditional percussive instruments are usually played in pairs (one in each hand) and are capable of producing complex polyrhythms.
We have two types of aslatua here at African Drumming
1. The master series, which is our premium aslatua. Filled with seeds and handmade with a thicker string for the traditional, rich and sandy sound.
2. The standard, which are filled with pebbles for a crisp, percussive sound.
Hey everyone! Due to the recent Melbourne lockdown 2.0 we are postponing our onsite St Kilda classes until further notice.
Online classes are still available on Tuesday nights via Zoom for beginners and intermediates, and our next cycle begins on August 11th.
Our handpans, which are inspired by the traditional hang drum, are some of our most popular and prized instruments here at African Drumming. Played by hand, rather than sticks or mallets, the handpan drum has a rich, intimate sound, full of emotion and depth. There is no specific technique or style in the art of playing a handpan and a player with patience and an open mind will be rewarded with deep layers of complexity to explore. We have a range of handpans for sale in both the master and primo series range, available in different keys and prices. Also, if you’re looking for a complimentary instrument for yoga, pilates or a sound bath, the handpan is the perfect instrument for you as they are incredibly mediative and have proven calming effects.
Simon shares the latest news and events from African Drumming, including the current dunun sale (until July 14, all duns are available for 20% off), and the upcoming online Enduro Djembe on Saturday July 11th.
Enduro Djembe – July 11th 2020
Teacher Training Online Courses – Level 1 & 2 on September 12th-13th 2020
Level 3 on August 8th-9th 2020
Teacher Training Melbourne Courses – Level 1 & 2 on October 17th – 18th 2020
Teacher Training Sydney Courses – Level 1 & 2 on October 31st – November 1st 2020
Online Professional Development (Drumming for Social Connectivity and Mindfulness) – August 22nd 2020
Victorian Spring Retreat – October 2nd – 4th 2020
Bali Drum Camp – May 16th – 26th 2021
From July 1st – 14th, our entire dunun range is available online and in-store for 20% off: big, small, hardwood, light weight, full sets or just one offs of any size!
How do I get 20% off?
Easy! Just use the coupon code dundun at checkout to claim.
Some of our duns are too big for standard post. If that’s the case, we’ll ask you to email us your postal address, and find the cheapest way to get them to your door.
📺 Simon introduces us to the Master series dun set: The Chief
Kicking off tonight (June 29), our St Kilda djembe classes are back for a brand new 6-week cycle. Offering both beginner and intermediate classes, our cycles are a fun and interactive study and appreciation of the djembe and West African music in general. Beginners will focus on learning basic technique, groove development, ear training and basic musical concepts. Intermediates will explore different time signatures, prepare full arrangements and experiment with faster tempos.
Beginners @6.15pm – 7.45pm on Monday evenings
Intermediate @8pm – 9.30pm on Monday evenings
2020 Class Cycles: Our cycles run for 6 weeks
*If you miss both the 1st & 2nd week of a cycle, we recommend joining the following cycle
Cycle #5 – Join our classes on June 29th or July 6th
Cycle #6 – Join our classes on August 10th or August 17th
Cycle #7 – Join our classes on September 21st or September 28th
Cycle #8 – Join our classes on November 2nd or November 9th
Do I need a djembe of my own?
If studying at St Kilda, we can offer you a free djembe during your classes. If you’d like to practise during the week outside of class, we can loan you a djembe for $20 per week. In the highly likely event that you fall in love with your djembe, we can help make it official with our Rent to Own plan. If you decide to buy the drum you’ve been renting, we’ll deduct the amount you’ve paid in hire fees from the total cost of the drum. We’ll keep your credit from the hire for up to 6 weeks after the last class you’ve attended.
How are you complying with the Victorian Government’s restrictions in response to covid-19?
○ We have a strict limit of 8 adult students per class
○ All of our drums will be wiped down and disinfected before each class
○ We will provide hand sanitiser to our students on entry to the shop
○ Our teachers will practise safe social distancing
○ We are monitoring government guidelines daily and will update when required
How can I help to keep myself and others safe during these classes?
○ Sanitise your hands upon entry to the shop – we will provide sanitiser
○ Please stay in your station and only use the downstairs bathroom
○ Avoid touching your face
○ Cough and sneeze into your elbow and discard of any tissues immediately
○ Practise safe social distancing at all times
○ Students are encouraged to bring their own djembe if they can
Drummers, get ready to sweat with Simon Fraser’s Enduro Djembe class. Back by popular demand, Enduro Djembe is a musical workout for the mind and body, facilitated via the free and easy-to-use software Zoom.
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.
We traverse through 5 rhythms – a mix of 4/4 and 12/8 grooves – with Kpanlgo (Ghana courship rhythm), Maraka (Malian worship/ honouring rhythm), Jensa (Burkia party rhythm), Soli (Guinean circumcision rhythm), and Rumba (Guinea contemporary).
Catered for upper intermediate and advanced level students, and led by Simon Fraser with Magic Michael Naude on support duns.
Next class: Saturday July 11th @ 12pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $20
This Queen’s bday we’re offering 20% off our Master and Primo series hardwood djembes. Just use the code queenbday at check out to claim!
VALID FROM JUNE 5TH – 8TH 2020
Sale excludes second grade and Ghana series djembes and does not apply to wholesalers
Master series djembes: The crown jewels of djembes: We hand pick the very best, immaculate shells from our most experienced carvers across West Africa.
Each hide is carefully balanced to suit the dynamics of each drum to maximise its voice. Each djembe looks as good as it sounds, with additional time invested in sanding, oiling and polishing the shells.
Primo series djembes: The density of these shells provides noticeable depth of sound. These high-quality djembes get a little extra time put into their playing edges and outer shell, making them easy to play and easy on the eye. All Primo Series djembes have a full range of pure sounds and a variety of shapes, sizes and characteristics.
We’ve got a huge djembe sale coming up this Queen’s birthday. From June 5th – 8th we’re offering 20% off all Master and Primo series African djembes.
Also: Bali 2021 dates announced!
Teacher Training Online Courses – Level 1 & 2 on June 6-7th or June 20th-21st.
Level 3 on August 8th-9th 2020
Online Professional Development (West African songs & dance) – June 13th 2020
Victorian Spring Retreat – October 2nd – 4th 2020
Rhythm Power – December 30th 2020 – January 26th 2021
Bali Drum Camp – May 16th – 26th 2021
Due to popular demand, our online Enduro Djembe class is back for a third time. Musical fitness for the body and mind! Focus your mind, open your ears and relax your body – a non-stop rhythmic ride is about to begin!
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.
We traverse through 5 rhythms – a mix of 4/4 and 12/8 grooves – with Kpanlgo (Ghana courship rhythm), Maraka (Malian worship/ honouring rhythm), Jensa (Burkia party rhythm), Soli (Guinean circumcision rhythm) and Rumba (Guinea contemporary).
Catered for upper intermediate and advanced level students, and led by Simon Fraser with Magic Michael Naude on support duns.
Saturday May 23rd @ 12pm
Get your tickets here
Hey everyone, guess what? We’re still full steam ahead in our plans for Ghana 20/21. We know times are challenging and unpredictable right now, but we are optimistic that our tour will go ahead and that Rhythm Power will be just the tonic we need to soothe our Rhythmic Souls. This year will be our 15th tour, offering some of the best drum and dance tuition West Africa has to offer. Whether you’re a drummer or a dancer, we’ve got you covered with a top-tier study program in one of the most fascinating countries in the world. Join us and enjoy the music, sights, sounds and smells Ghana has to offer!
December 30th 2020 – January 26th 2021
It was with a heavy heart that we had to cancel this year’s Bali Drum Camp. It is especially hard for our local Balinese teachers, friends and the businesses that rely on the income from our tour. Big thanks to Glen who has donated his tour deposit to the crew over there. The good news is that we will be back in Bali for 2021!
– Simon Fraser, Director
We’re still planning to go to Ghana in 20/21. Keep up to date with our tour news and dates here
African Drumming © 2020. All Rights Reserved. West African Drums | Djembe | Handpans | Kora | Team Building
