Hi I'm Darren and Welcome to my Inner-Groove Percussion Blog page. Here you'll find useful tips on all things percussion ranging from playing techniques for a range of different hand-drums, through to product advise. Inner-groove percussion group offers private and group lessons in hand-drumming for the Djembe, Conga and Bongo drums. As well as tuition, IGP group can provide drum circle performances and group team-building sessions for corporate events. 'So grab a drum and bring out your Inner-groove'.
My interest in percussion started when I was still at school back in the U.K. I had a habit (and still do to this day) of constantly tapping on things like tables, chairs, you name it. At that stage though I never thought that I would develop a life-long interest in percussion. It wasn’t until I was in my mid twenties and I bought a set of Bongo drums and used to spend time jamming along to Ska, Reggae and Cuban music. It was then that I started to get more serious about wanting to become a percussionist.
Over the last eight years I have concentrated on studying the Djembe, Conga and Bongo drums and have played percussion in a number of Ska/Reggae bands as well as taking part in various drum-circle groups back in the U.K. One of the great things about being a percussionist is that it really is a life's work. There are some many other types of hand drums such as the Dombek drum, the Indian Tabla drum or the Irish Bohdran and that's before you start adding the smaller hand percussion instruments. Even after eight years I still haven't even scratch the surface.
So now I'm living on the beautiful Waiheke island off Auckland New Zealand. There are lots of musicians and hand-drummers on the island, and that's what prompted me to set up my own percussion group. So if its percussion your into then 'Watch this space'.
