Creative Communities Drumming worshops at the Artworks Theatre Feb-march 09

As we are coming to the end of this Six week project, it's been a great success. Each week the numbers have been steadily rising from 14 in the first week, to 24 people by week 4 (Word of mouth is a wonderful thing). Next Saturday 14th March is the last session, but I would hope to be back next year with a project that links drumming with dance.

The next stage is to finally put together a percussion performance group in time for all the Waiheke/Auckland Festivals next year.

Thanks to everyone who gave up there Saturday mornings to join in the fun.

Cheers

Drum-Circle Jam at the Artworks

CALLING ALL PERCUSSION ENTHUSIASTS

Join the drum circle jam

Whether your a player, or just fancy having a bash at percussion, come down to the Artworks Theatre for a drumming jam session.

WHEN: Saturday mornings 10.30am - 11.30am, 7th Feb till 14th March. Free entry, drums provided or BYO.

'It's time to dust off those Bongos on ya book shelf and get jammin'

PRODUCT CHECK

BONGO BAG

This is a must for the percussion player on the move. This is a great way to both store and transport your drums. Padded bag to suit twin Bongo sets. With adjustable carry strap and a carry handle, this bag makes it easy to transport your bongos safely. Also a zippered outer pocket. Dimensions: 450mm x 250mm x 250mm. So visithttp://lenkermusic.info/product/754/

I've bought heaps of drums from Lenkermusic and have been really impressed at the quality of the drums at such an affordable price.

Bongo Drumming
Tutor – Darren Bowyer-Warner
Following on from last years 'Introduction to Djembe drumming', this One-hour 4 week course looks at teaching the basics for playing the Bongo drums, and will serve as an introduction into a range of rhythms from Cuba, through to Trinidad. (Drums provided)
Saturdays 12.45pm to 1.45pm for 4 weeks
Term 4: 8th to 29th November
Cost $60

Drumming packages with Inner-groove Percussion

1-on-1 percussion lessons - Come along and learn the basic techniques of hand drumming for either the Djembe, Bongo's or Conga drums. Sessions are 1 hour.

Taster sessions - If you fancy having a dabble with percussion, then why not try a taster session with the Djembe, Bongo's and Conga drums. Sessions are 20 mins.

Corporate team challenge - As a whole group, you will work together to learn a range of funky drum rhythms. Then, splitting off into smaller teams, each group will have 20 mins to create their own exciting drum rhythm. All teams will then perform and share their groups creations for everyone to jam along to. Sessions are 90 mins.

Corporate team builder - For 1 hour, prepare to be inspired by the art of the drum-circle. The main goal here is to experience as a whole group, the thrill of finding the rhythm, joining in with the groove, and making music together. It's a team thing!

At Charlie Farley's with Al Reeve

Check out singer/guitarist Al Reeve playing on friday nights down at Charlie farley's with percussion accompaniment from yours truly.

Intro to Djembe Drumming DVD

If your interested in learning to play the Djembe drum, there are lots of very good instructional books and DVDs out their that you can buy from most good stores such as http://www.rockshop.co.nz/ or http://www.musicworks.co.nz/ This DVD 'Have Fun Playing Djembe' I picked up from the Rockshop and covers all the basics for learning the Djembe such as developing good hand technique, through to learning and jamming along to authentic drumming rhythms.

Product check

I've recently been on the look out for a set of Timbale drums and came across these little gems at one of the Trade aid stores in Auckland. Although these drums are both small and are not traditional timbales, they pack a great sound and at only $20.00 each there a darn sight cheaper. So if your on the look out for ethnic style drums at a bargain price, then check out a Trade aid store near you at http://www.tradeaid.org.nz/

Welcome Page

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'.

The modern Djembe drum.

Although the modern style Djembe drums may not look as ornate as the traditional ones, they are much easier and quicker to tune-up. Most of the modern djembes use a screwing nut tuning method. This is useful for two reasons, firstly it means that the drum can be tuned in a matter of minutes, and secondly it means that the drum can be de-tuned easily which in turn will help to preserve the drum skin as they can have a tendency to split if they are kept tightly tuned for long periods of time.

The moral is 'Shop around', don't feal as if you have to buy the most expensive drum straight away. Perhaps start with a basic modern style small djembe like the one shown here. Then, as your experience and interest in drumming develops, you can branch out for the more expensive traditional drum.

Happy Shopping.

Djembe - The traditional Djembe drum

Before you go out and purchase your first Djembe drum, consider the type of drum you want and how you intend to use it. The traditional West African drums are hand carved and use a rope tuning method. The traditional djembes create a warm sound as well as a sense of authenticity in playing 'The real deal' djembe drum. However, their are certain draw backs. The robe tuning method can be a timely procedure. Traditional drums can also be very expensive and if the skin splits, it can be both difficult and costly to find someone who knows how to re-skin and re-tune the drum.

Djembe Slap Tone

When playing the slap tone. Remember to hit the drum using the tips of your fingers, keeping your hand relaxed and your fingers slightly apart.

Djembe Open Tone.

When playing the open tone, remember to hit the drum with the lower part of your fingers. Keep your hand relaxed.

Djembe Bass Tone.

When playing the bass tone, remember to hit the drum with the palm of your hand keeping your fingers together. Remember to keep your hand relaxed.

Djembe hand drumming technique Bass Tone

To play the Bass Tone: 1) Lift your arm from the elbow and strike the centre of the drum using the palm of your hand, keeping your hand flat and fingers together. 2) When striking the drum, allow your hand to bounce back off the drum head. 3) Alternate playing the bass tone with your right and left hand.

Djembe hand drumming technique basic hand position

The natural hand position for playing the Djembe is to have your hands forming a traingle shape. Remember that in order to create the best sounds from the drum, your hands should be relaxed.

Djembe hand drumming technique open tone

To play the open tone: 1) Raise your arm from the elbow and strike the drum using the weight of your fingers. 2) Keeping your fingers together and relaxed, strike the drum and allow you hand to bounce back off the drum head. 3) Alternate playing the open tone with your right and left hand.

Djembe hand drumming technique open tone side view

When playing the open tone, remember to focus the weight of your hand to the lower part of the fingers and not the tips.

Djembe hand drumming technique open tone

Now, see if you can practise playing both the bass and open tones by alternating your hands e.g. bass, bass, tone, tone, bass, bass, tone, tone (right, left, right, left) and so on. Alternating your hands when playing is known as 'Hand - to - Hand' playing. This is a preferred method of playing as it enables you to play a wider and varied range of rhythm's.

Djembe Hand drumming technique slap tone

Remember when playing the Slap Tone, to keep your fingers apart slightly.