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There are several excellent djembe/dunun (West African bass drums) & sabar, conga, and eclectic hand-drumming teachers in Seattle, and I have taken classes from nearly all of them. Seattle is also a popular destination for touring drum teachers. If you teach a hand drumming class in Seattle and would like to add or update a listing on this page, please e-mail me. PLEASE NOTE: Vacations and other schedule changes are common for these classes, and I'm not real diligent about keeping on top of class changes, so please contact the teacher before going to these classes. It's always a good idea to bring your own drum to class, but most of these classes have drums available if you don't have one. If you'd like to buy a djembe, please see the list of drum sellers in the box in the right-hand column of this page. Pricing info is provided when I have it. Some classes welcome drop-ins; others require pre-registration. Always contact the instructor first if in doubt. One-Time WorkshopsAdeyemi HarrisSaturday, November 17, 2007 Youngstown Cultural Center West African Drumming workshop. Other Odunde Festival events on the Dance Classes and World Music Shows pages. Ongoing Eclectic ClassesIf you're just getting into hand drumming and want to explore djembes, congas, and/or ashikos with an engaging, experienced teacher, you can't go wrong with Bill, Gordy, or Simone. Bill Matthews206-632-1096 Hand Drumming
Beginning I, Tues., 7 pm-8:15 "Bill gently and accurately demonstrates proper hand techniques, utilizing the djembe, ashiko, congas, bell, shakeres, djun-djun bass drums. Learn traditional African and Afro-Caribbean hand drumming rhythms." New beginners' class is open to the public and starts the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Other classes are by invitation only. Gordy Ryane-mail Edward Mulhern for more info on Gordy's class Drum Spirit FusionThurs., 7-9 pm "We will play in a rhythm orchestra, exploring traditional West African roots music and its funky journey up to the present moment on this continent. We will build a strong foundation with universal rhythm practices to build hand technique and awareness, so that the sound and the groove will arise in our playing. Creativity will be encouraged to manifest." Gordy is a veteran of 32 years with Baba Olatunji's Drums of Passion, a long-time session musician in NYC and LA, a composer, and "One who's gonna get all the fun done." Simone LaDrumma206-632-2170, e-mail Drumming and the Holistic Expression of RhythmDates & times vary, see Simone's web site "Do drums and percussion stir something deep inside you? You know it's in there, but how do you get it out? This course will help you bridge the gap between our ancient common tribal heritage and modern society. Using a holistic approach, we'll explore with drums, hand percussion, voice and body the exciting rhythms of worlds without (African, Latin, etc.) and within. Lose your inhibitions and learn to play the music you love to dance to!" Ongoing Djembe/Dunun ClassesTry one of these teachers if you're interested in learning traditional West African djembe/dunun rhythms. Geoff Johns206-567-5875 Djembe Drumming FunTues., 6:30-8 pm Intermediate Djembe and Dunun DrummingTues., 8-9:30 pm "Traditional rhythms from the Malinke people of West Africa taught in a hands-on format. Students will learn basic hand and stick drumming techniques, rhythm, coordination, and timekeeping skills." Ibrahima Camara206-417-4818, e-mail Learn the bass drum parts for djembe/djun djun ensemble rhythms. Call for current schedule and location. Djembe rhythms from Senegal, taught by a master drummer. Ongoing Conga & Afro-Cuban ClassesTry one of these teachers if you're interested in learning congas and Afro-Cuban music. Arturo Rodriquez206-276-6401, e-mail Rhythm Fundamentals, Congas, Bata, etc.Dates & Times Vary - see web site Geoff Johns206-567-5875 Conga Drumming FunMon., 6:30-8 pm Intermediate Conga DrummingMon., 8-9:30 pm "From its roots in Africa and development in Cuba, the earthy tones and exciting rhythms of the conga drum have found their way into all kinds of music. In this hands-on class, we'll explore both traditional and contemporary rhythms for the conga." Matt DresslerConga DrummingWed., 5:30-7 pm This class is on hold for now. Contact Matt for info on when classes might start again. Conga rhythms from Cuba. Intermediate-level class. "JC" Johnny Conga206-505-9097, e-mail Afro-Caribbean Drumming and Musictimes by arrangement "I teach out of my home in Burien, at your leisure. You will learn the 'styles' of playing on the conga drum. Rumba guaguanco, tumbaos, rhythms, theory, ensemble, clave consciousness and more. I have been teaching for over 25 years, and 40 years as a 'Pro'. Go to http://groups.msn.com/CongaNation to learn more." Past Visiting Drum Teachers and One-Time WorkshopsThese are hand-drumming and world percussion teachers who have visited Seattle in the past few years. I include them here because some of these folks come around at about the same time every year, so this info may help you plan your annual drumming calendar. There are also always many out-of-town hand drumming teachers at Seattle's annual World Rhythm Festival (usually in late March/early April). Conference TarangaVarious ArtistsThursday, June 22-Sunday June 25, 2006 Four-day drum and dance conference featuring top West African teachers and performers. See the Planet Afua web site or download the Taranga Conference flyer (large file: 660K) for details. Introduction to Shekere with Lance LuSaturday, March 25, 2006 $20 John's Music Call John's Music - (206) 548-0916 - to pre-register Bring a Shekere to this workshop. Study Afro-Cuban Shekere technique with Seattle's own Shekere genius, Lance Lu. Lance will teach the fundamental skills to help you establish a good foundation to enjoy Shekere playing for a lifetime. Don't miss this opportunity to study with one of the hottest Shekere players in the country. Mamady KeitaAlas, Mamady hasn't had Seattle on his regular September U.S. tour for the past couple of years. Closest stops on his 2004 tour will be in Portland and Spokane. Famoudou KonateFamoudou did workshops in Portland the last weekend of June in 2003 and 2004. Mohamed CamaraMohamed Camara was last in Seattle October 2004. His impressive experience includes performing with Fatala, Ensemble Mandingnara, Ballets Mervilles de Guinea, and Percussions de Guinea, the prestigious national drum troupe composed of the seven best percussionists in Guinea. Bolokada CondeThis noted drummer from "Les Percussions de Guinee" came to Seattle with dance teacher Moustapha Bangoura in early August 2004. Sanga of the Valley (Anthony Francis)Sanga filled in for Gordy Ryan's class at John's Music in July 2003. If you're in New York, Sanga teaches every Thursday night in Brooklyn. Pepe DanzaSimone LaDrumma brought Pepe down from Vancouver for some workshops in July 2004, and he has performed and taught workshops at the last few World Rhythm Festivals. Carolyn BrandySimone LaDrumma regularly brings Carolyn to town for Afro-Cuban drumming workshops. Mohammed, Fode, et al.Youssouf Koumbassa comes to Seattle once or twice a year to teach dance classes and usually brings a hot Susu djembe player with him. Julien BabingaJulien is a Congolese drummer and dancer who has come to Seattle several times over the past couple of years. |
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