Learn to play the drums

I took an Intro to Hand Drumming class in June, with my Dad (who played my doumbek, while I played my djembe) which was two two-hour small group sessions taught by an experienced drummer in his home. A CD and booklet came along with the class and these two things are awesome, even better than what I’d been hoping for. The hand drumming instruction Id seen in other books was seriously lacking and not beginner-friendly, but his booklet (with the accompanying CD) is just incredible. He designed several basic patterns, along with fill patterns and flams, and the way the patterns are written shows where on the drum to place which hand. All the patterns, fill patterns, and flams are on the CD, as well as two longer tracks at the end that are meant to use for improvisation. I am very happy that I took this class and I just need to practice more now.

He is also offering an intermediate (building upon what is taught in the beginner class) and improvisational classes (how to develop your own rhythms, do solos, etc) this fall. I hope to take the improv class and if I can practice and improve enough, the intermediate drumming class as well.

I bought my first drum this morning! (thanks to bday money)

Its African style, somewhat small, can be held between the legs or under the arms, and has a higher, sharper sound. Almost best of all is its skin pattern, which is a colorful Egyptian print with pharaoh-like figures and symbols. Very pretty.

I also fell in love with a djembe; that is the type of drum Ive wanted since I discovered the drum circles – thats what most people use – and Ive found a great one. Pretty big, its brown with red, green, and black colors all over, and has a nice deep sound. The store let me put it on layaway for a month, so I might be able to afford it by then.

I was almost literally drooling over their regular drum sets – they have gold, sparkling blue, purple, white…just absolutely beautiful sets! Thats for a looooooooooong time in the future though, if ever.

Looking forward to start learning how to play!!! and now I dont have to worry about not getting a drum at the drum jams!

Had the pleasure of attending another drum circle this passt weekend following a beautiful Winter Solstice Celebration. People were dancing, clapping, blowing whistle, playing other instruments including triangle, shaker, and even digeridoo…a woman even danced poi for us, that was flippin awesome….and once again, I felt the joy rising inside as the beats and the thumps of the drums surrounded us…

The guy diagonal from me was absolutely incredible on his djembe, so fast and forceful I could feel the strong soundwaves in my body, feel the vibration, especially in my stomach…my whole body kind of tingled and began to move…oh I love that when you can not just hear the music but FEEL THE MUSIC…

Reinforced in experience time and time again, that nothing, NOTHING on this Earth can bring me the joy, freedom, happiness, gratitude, excitement, satisfaction, hope, and peace that music brings…!!!!!

Want to learn to play hand drums such as djembe, conga, and bongos. Ive been around hippies lately and for some reason they all know how to drum and they are absolutely FANTASTIC. Ive always loved drums – all kinds – and had a desire to play, but no real reason. Now I do. One of my yoga instructors has a drumming circle that anyone can join; I was also very inspired by the Brazilian drummers that played at Earthdance. They too have a free no-experience-needed drumming group.

Last Saturday I attended a drum jam and instead of just listening and dancing like I planned, I grabbed a drum and just started banging away. It was so much fun and I’d actually like to have some skill so I can play different rhythms speeds etc~