Also called kirin, kolokolo, lokole.
A log drum, often played alongside Balafon, Kora, djembes and dunun in contemporary West African Ballets.
♪ Guinea Krin are hand carved from dense khadi timber, the densest wood of West Africa
♪ The craftsmanship of this distinctive drum is as functional as it is beautiful
♪ With crisp tonal qualities and several distinct notes this medium sized Krin is a high volume instrument ideal for any ensemble.
Like any instrument, your drum needs tuning to sound it’s best.
A few knots can have it really singing in terms of both richness of sound and pure projection.
🪘 Avoid tuning in very hot weather.
🪘 Add 2-3 knots at a time and test the results. Let the drum settle, play it and come back to it in a week or so.
🪘 Using a stick or a tuning bar will save your hands from rope burn.
🪘 Be careful not to tune your drum too much too soon! This is the most common cause of Breakage. The skin needs time to stretch.
🪘 Fine tune by tapping down on the top outer ring with a rubber mallet, being careful not to hit the skin!
🌴 Tour Dates: 29th December 2023 – 25th January 2024
🌴 Location: the idyllic Volta Region of Ghana
🌴 Rates: from AUD $4200, depending on room choice
Renowned percussionist, educator and tour guide Simon Fraser has been making annual trips to West Africa since 1997.
Some of the best drum and dance tuition available in the region will be on offer along a unique cultural experience curated by Simon. There will be festivals & excursions, shopping and live entertainment, all adding to an unforgettable and memorable experience.
For more information, simply get in touch with us or click to this page.
(03) 9525 3073
[email protected]
A wooden keyed percussive idiophone of West Africa, the Balafon is a Manding name, but variations exist across West Africa.
An idiophone is an instrument which creates sound by vibrating.
🎵 Hand made by master artisans from individually tuned Khadi hardwood keys, cow hide and calabash.
🎵 The keys of the Balafon are tuned to each other in diatonic scale
🎵 It is the wood which set these bala apart – Khadi is premier wood used in making the world’s best Bala.
🎵 Below the key bed are calabash gourds which serve as resonators
🎵 Each gourd has a small hole with very thin paper (traditionally a thin membrane) over it, which creates the buzzing resonance that is so characteristic of West African music.
Available for purchase in 15 key or 22 key.
Explore fun and interactive games for the Djembe + Small Percussion which help develop auditory, visual, kinaesthetic, language and social skills.
🎶 You’ll come away loaded with lots of great games and inspiring ideas that you can incorporate into your sessions. 🎶
Join us online, Saturday August 26th 2023
10am-12pm (AEDT): Games for Djembes
1pm-3pm (AEDT): Games for Small Percussion
Ideal for all drumming skills levels and abilities. You will receive a digital Certificate of Completion.
We’re managing two Tree planting initiatives across two continents:
One of these is Denyigba Lorlor who are an amazing Forest Regeneration NGO in Ghana 🇬🇭
With their help, we are able to plant and nurture a new hardwood tree for every African drum that we sell 🌱🪘
In Indonesia we are donating 5% of funds from the sale of every Indonesian djembe towards the “East-Java Plant a Tree Program.”
We bring African drums for everyone and tailor our sessions according to learning capabilities for different age groups.
Options include:
♪ Single sessions
♪ 4 week – full term Programmes
♪ Staff team builders
♪ Whole school events, fetes and more
Some of the feedback we get from the students is quite profound. This comment feels like a nice metaphor for teamwork…
“It was so cool. I’d say it was the best music experience ever!
The drums were small, but they made a lot of noise when played in a group”
– Student from Livingstone Christian College.
Playing too fast is one of the easiest mistakes to make.
Our Tip: Take it easy and build up your strength and muscle memory!
For more suggestions, why not join one of our Community Drum classes? We have classes for every level.
We’ve seen the transformative nature of drumming first hand in our classes & workshops.
Drumming empowers, energises, and teaches skills that students can be proud of: It’s what keeps us inspired. 💫
♪ Single sessions
♪ 4 week – full term Programmes
♪ Staff team builders
♪ Whole school events, fetes and more
Our classes include a mix of drumming, dancing and singing, but we’re always adaptable and can tailor our session to your request. 🪘
For more information, just click here !
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.
🪘 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.
🪘 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!! 🎶 🪘
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
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/
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.
We are also specialists in School & Kinder Workshops as well as kids parties! Follow this link to find out more!
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.
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
(03) 9525 3073
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.
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.
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
See you there!
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/
Our Indo Djembe range comes in sizes for all ages ! From the 12cm Djembaby up to 60cm plus.
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.
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