DRUMKIT LESSONS
Drum kit lessons focus on developing a student into a versatile drummer who eventually would be able to perform a repertoire that covers many genres of music such as, to name a few: rock and roll (rock, hard rock, lighter pieces, Motown, country, oldies), disco, jazz (swing, be-bop, fusion, cool, free), Latin (samba, bossa, cha-cha, merengue, Afro-Cuban), reggae, progressive rock, etc. An emphasis is placed on a musical approach to drums where all elements of music making such as phrasing, dynamics, pulse, meter, sound colour, and dynamics are of an equal importance. The program of study is crafted according to personal needs of each student. Musical background, prior exposure to certain types of music, interest area, and musical potential of an individual play a large role in the assessment. Those who follow the program carefully, work diligently on self-improvement, and practice the required material become fully equipped with all the musical tools and knowledge that is required of any professional drummers.
The following are some general areas of study covered during lessons:
- Stick control and basic stick rudimentary technique
- Expansion of rhythmic vocabulary
- Development of musicianship (steady time, rhythm, meter, sensitivity)
- Building rhythmic patterns and solo playing on various meters with an implied steady pulse such as duple simple, duple compound, triple simple, triple compound, quadruple simple, quadruple compound, and various additive meters
- Dynamics and timbre (sound colour) in playing
- Brush and soft mallet technique
- Reading charts and standard music notation
- Playing and supplying beats by ear, feeding back from the rest of the band
- Function of a drummer in a small combo and a larger ensemble
- Practice strategies
GROUP AND PRIVATE LESSONS/WORKSHOPS
Hand percussion lessons focus on the drumming technique of the Middle Eastern darabuka, African djembe, and various Latin percussion instruments such as bata drums, bongos, cobasa, and other hand drums. Students study various rhythms from around the world and the orient. These lessons are a great opportunity not only to develop one's musicality in a group setting, having a lot of fun at the same time, but also to become aware of different musical languages from around the globe.
Djembe is a West African drum that is believed to have come from the Malinke people in the Northeast of Guinea. Covered in goat skin, the djembe's sharp bright sound and dynamic range of colours made it an ideal drum for healers, and storytellers, as well as accompanying dance, or for communicating between villages. The djembe has become the most popular African drum to be played outside of Africa.
Dumbek or darabuka belongs to the cultures of Middle East and North Africa and it is known by a number of names including dumbek, darabukka , derbocka, and dumbelek. It is found made from clay, wood or metal and comes in a number of sizes. All have a single head usually made of fish skin or plastic (modern), and are traditionally played under the arm. The technique of playing dumbek is sophisticated and it often depends on the material the drum is made from and the region it comes from. Musical lore says that the instrument is called a dumbek because of the two main sounds of the instrument: the dum, or the deep tone from the centre of the drum and the bek, the tone produced from striking the rim.
Below are some other percussion instruments that we use during Latin percussion classes, workshops, and private lessons.
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