Just out now – the latest vNewsletter, with all the March news for African drumming, and a lightning tour of African Drumming HQ, care of JMan.
Our Bali Drum Camp is just 10 weeks away!
It’s not too late to book in and join us for 9 days of drumming in the lovely seaside village of Candidasa.
Tuza, Simon and guest teacher Tara are all looking forward to sharing the rhythms and insights into world of African Drumming ….
DRUMMING CLASSES IN WANGARATTA!!!
Happy to announce African Drumming is kicking off classes in Wangaratta this month
Venue: HP Barr Reserve Community Centre, Schilling Drive, Wangaratta
Day: Monday nights starting Monday 23/3
Time: 7:30pm (classes will run 7:30-9:00)
Your teacher is the wonderful Brianna Slattery who has been living further up the central coast in NSW for many years. Brianna is a qualified school teacher and African Drumming Certified L1/ 2 graduate … she has been playing Djembe for many years and is excited to connect with the local Wang and Beechworth drummers.
Top End Duns are hard to find … good quality hardwood dun shells are also hard to find, even when searching the Sahel in West Africa….
We always get excited when an extra special set hits the scene. Here’s an incredible set of hardwood duns from Burkina Faso. Made from Premium Heartwood Djala from Banfora Region.
The sound projection and quality is undeniable with these duns! Kenkenni really cuts through and the dun will play in to an ultra low bass.
Here’s a video of Simon playing on this incredible set.
Sessi Sessi is our energetic West African drumming community ensemble that’s made up with our advanced student group. Uplifting and high energy performances that gets the crowds moving are their specialty. Our talented students are lead by seasoned professionals who warmly welcomes everybody to dance and groove. Whether it be at a fund raiser, sports events, block parties, street festivals…..you name it: we’ll perform there!
Be part of the action and check out our Sessi Sessi facebook page
or
Download our Sessi Sessi Bio:
Here’s a video of Sessi Sessi playing in the background for October 2013 vNews Live from Flashjam
Rhythmic Challenge for the morning is another 12/8 bell pattern ( to continue the theme for this month.)
Get familiar with the “short bell” pattern on one hand (or wok or any other kitchenware you have handy!)
1 2 3 4 1
x . x . x x . x . x . x x
Now play away from the beat on your other hand.
1 2 3 4 1
x x . x x . x x . x x
You can see a diagram of the different bell patterns on last week’s blog entry, here!
It is tricky, but when you land it, it is so satisfying! Really does something to the pathways in your mind and body.
Something is growing internally and something is discovered, quite an exciting experience!
Hope to see you on Thursday 6:00pm – 8:00pm (and Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm) this week for four hours of rhythmic insight at Simon’s Dexterity Workshop. Dan will be supporting us all on dun as we go on a polyrhythmic journey into our bodies and minds to massage out the rhythmic gristle!
We have been working hard on our 12/8 bell patterns in the St Kilda Advanced class recently and it’s really coming together!
Using our feet to feel the 6 pulse and playing 5 different bell patterns over the top, then combining them all musically; there is something different about a polyrhythmic Agogo Bell orchestra!
One of the key foundation points is being able to feel the offbeat in our body whilst we walk the downbeat (pulse.) Harder than it sounds but over time our bodies relax into it, and two distinct pulses can be felt internally. Counting 1+2+3+4+5+6+ will help, and going SLOW to start is paramount. If we can feel these contrasting rhythms internally then we are much closer to being able to use them in our drumming. One can explore and execute more sophisticated timing structures and solos, wonderful huh?
Next challenge is to add some vocalisation (chant and song) to the mix; polyrhythmic fun and games with a musical twist!
Getting dexterous and ironing out the rhythmic gristle that binds up our bodies = more freedom for the body and mind.
If you want more, come and study dexterity with me next week!
– Simon.
For more information on Simon’s Dexterity classes, head here!
Trawling the internet, I came across these incredible photographs by Rita Willaert. Taken on her travels to West Africa, she stumbled upon a 1.2 hectare village near Tiébélé in Burkina Faso, made up of beautifully decorated mud brick homes, belonging to the Kassena people, one of the oldest ethnic groups who settled in Burkina Faso in the 15th century.
