Exploration and creativity go hand in hand when strengthening our rhythm skills and enhancing personal growth
Learning to playing the djembe drum through the eyes of a child can be cathartic. When we look through the lens of playfulness and creativity we begin to express from our heart centre.
Yes, it is essential when learning to play the drums to gain basic understanding and knowledge of cultural rhythms and meanings of these rhythms. As a percussion teacher I encourage students to learn traditional west African rhythms to have a good rhythmical foundation to draw upon.
Learning rhythms helps develop our ear. Listening is a huge key for more in-depth music-making with other collaborators, whether you’re just starting your djembe drumming journey and wanting to build your rhythmical confidence to jam with others in the drum circle or a drum teacher composing percussion ensemble music.
Play from your heart not the head
As I share with all my students in Positive Music teacher trainings, listening to music as much as we practice our djembe drumming rhythms excels our rhythm skills by tenfold. Deep listening helps develop our skills that unlock our creativity and ability to improvise easily and effortlessly. We begin to tune into rhythm, harmony, and melody and make connection to music on a deeper level, some say a spiritual level… the missing pieces that connect us to our true essence.
You see… music is within all of us, we just need to listen.
When I coach my online drum students, we delve deep into how to improve their rhythms and timing, questions such as, what music are you listening to at the moment? What does this music mean to you, how does it make you feel? How can this feeling translate to your drumming?
Which brings me to the next part… improvisation. Learning traditional rhythms serves as a springboard, allowing us to dive deep into the unique rhythms of our own hearts. Each of us is unique, and this uniqueness is expressed through the rhythms that emanate from within. Through the act of creating music, we share our stories and connect with others on a profound level.
What rhythms can you create this week? Sit still and in silence with your djembe drum. Allow your hands to sway and swish over the drumhead for a few minutes, creating a sound of the ocean and without thinking. Let your hands dance on the drumhead and see what happens.
Make a daily practice of drumming and getting to know yourself through rhythm and improvisation. Listen to music for inspiration, even play-along drum music to build your rhythms skills.
Online Djembe Drumming Course - Beginning Your Journey
Are you starting out on your drumming journey or facilitate groups using the djembe drum?
I wanted to share with you my NEW Online Djembe Drumming Course – Beginning Your Journey
Join me as we delve into the profound world of djembe drumming—an ancient art form infused with contemporary wisdom. Through my comprehensive online course, I invite you to unlock the countless benefits of drumming while mastering the energising and soothing rhythms of the djembe drum.
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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 drumbeats 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
(FYI this website platform only allows one email address per free download)
Please leave a comment in the comment box below, so others can find this post helpful. Every bit helps. Thanks so much for your love and support, it means a lot and inspires me to continue helping people like you.