Build confidence to solo on your drum
The solo spot is to feature an instrument or instruments with in the song, which anyone can learn drum circle facilitation to showcase this musical expression. In this video I showcase a short solo from my new classroom percussion ensemble piece River Red Gum.
When I came back from learning African drumming and dance in Ghana back in 2006, I began to understand the rhythm structure of djembe soloing. Even though many African solo drum rhythms can be quite complex, they can also be simplified for any beginner drum student.
I don’t call myself a proficient drum soloist by any stretch of the imagination, I see my role within the music as a supportive musician when playing with others and a group facilitator when facilitating drum circles. These days there are amazing drummers who specialize in drum clinics on just soloing. I’m not one of them.
However, having studied with professional drummers and master drum circle facilitators over my music career, I know enough to help drum students and classroom teachers learn the role as the soloist and build rhythmical confidence to play and facilitate. There are so many wonderful aspects to music which I teach in my Positive Music teacher trainings.
No matter your age, anyone can learn to drum
In those times when I was running around Melbourne and busy teaching African drumming in schools, I had some regular classroom grade 6 students once a week during school terms. These kids were amazing! I taught each group a drumming arrangement with djembe, dun-duns (low pitch drums) go-go bells, shakers. They also learned some djembe solos which they nailed every time. Access can be made to my drum student recourses.
Just after two school terms they gained the confidence to solo on the djembe, learned traditional dance moves and sang a song. And they also led and facilitated their group to perform for their school. How cool is that!? I look back on those groups of primary school students and think they were amazing kids. All credit goes to the school communities that see the benefits of music for their school community.
Now my passion is bringing Positive Music professional development for schools into the classroom to help school teachers and community leaders gain the knowledge, skills and techniques to facilitate their own drum circles.
10 ways to improve your playing
Let’s take a look at my top 10 ways we can improve timing, rhythm and musical skills through the art of the solo spotlight.
- Build your confidence practice set solos and playing in the moment (improvisation)
- Base the solo on one phrase such as the 4/4 or 68/ clave
- Start the phrase in different points within the bar (permeate the rhythm)
- Embellish with different textures such as tones, slaps and bass
- Keep it simple, allow space within the notes and phrases
- Play-along to music to improve time and feel
- Let go of what you play, don't be too attached to the outcome
- Express what is in your heart
- Try not to compare yourself with others
- HAVE FUN!
Learn the Hart of Drum Circle Facilitation and help build stronger communities through the power of group drumming and music-making.
Would you like to learn how to bring people of all ages together, connecting and building a sense of community through rhythm and music-making? For more information on Positive Music teacher trainings, please contact me today.
A little gift for you as you continue to build your djembe drumming skills.
I want to help you out as much as I can so I’ve added some great hand drum beats for beginners and ensemble drums that accompany the djembe, called 7 Easy Steps to Develop Rhythm, Technique, Timing and Feel PDF. It’s filled with lots of tips on technique and how to improve your timing and feel, to really take your playing to the next level.
This is my gift to you and something that can accompany you on your drumming journey.
Get your instant copy for absolutely free!! Price $15 - FREE today!!
Download your FREE Djembe Drumming PDF Now
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