Gambian Beach Drumming Its that time of year and the weather is starting to cool down. I am sitting here with my drum trying to imagine being back in the Gambia sitting on the beach with friends watching the sun go down as the mossies come out to play.

I start to play some Jola rhythms on my Djembe and already I'm feeling warmer.

Natural Flow Drumming - excitement for life - COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLES Natural Flow support Fair Trade Percussion Instruments - Natural Flow Direct

Ever wonder what it would be like to be able to share a sense of harmony, well-being, trust and companionship with a group of like-minded people? This is the experience of a Community drum circle. Fun, entertainment, stress relief, healing, creativity, improved confidence and self-esteem, mental clarity and focus are all experiences to be gained through rhythmical communion, by drum circle participants. rhythm... Rhythm is timeless, a universal language inherent in our selves, and found everywhere in the world around us, from the beating of our hearts to the flow of our breath, from the tapping of our fingers to the shuffling of our feet. Rhythm draws us together to connect. drum circles... Are available within the general community, or for specified events such as: ...schools & colleges - youth centres - kids at risk Drum Circles provide space and freedom for young people to creatively channel and release pent-up emotions or frustrations, which are a natural part of growing up. It is a fun, high-energy activity, which provides immediate satisfaction and enjoyment. ...corporate team building - conferences Drum circle activities have been demonstrated to create or enhance positive team dynamics within a very short period of time. This can be useful as a warm up activity, as it then allows other facilitators to achieve more success with follow-up work. In terms of group dynamics, comparisons can often be seen between the drum circle and the work team. For example: co-operation/competition, individual/group contribution or needs, effective/dysfunctional communication, leaders/followers. ...women's groups group Provides a safe and supportive environment, encourages a sense of community and enables women to express themselves creatively. ...well elderly ...personal growth groups ...private parties ...festivals ...community/social events Whatever category or environment you choose, participation in Drum Circles encourages greater self-expression and creativity, helps build stronger communication skills through cooperation and enhances one's self confidence and self-esteem. If you would like more information or to make and enquiry about African drumming and drum circles please feel free to either contact us via email at enquiries@naturalflowdirect.com

Drumfire

african drum & dance band

We are Drumfire, an african drum and dance group from the UK and Gambia. Now based in Bexhill and Hastings, the core band members - Trish Walmsley, Julian Humphries, Ed Collins, Deborah Kelly, Tony Collie, Emmett Ives, Kim, Emma and Simon Spare - have performed traditional West African rhythms and dances together for over five years in venues along the south coast and at events such as Hastings Carnival 2004, Rye Bonfire and the Earth Spirit Festival. We share a passion for playing and have many years of drumming and dance experience between us. We also teach drumming and dance to children of all ages at a number of schools around East Sussex, either on a one-off demonstration basis or at hands-on weekly sessions, as a group or individually, and are continuing to "spread the word" on the benefits of group drum circles through performances, facilitated events and regular workshops. Recent workshops have taken place at: Temple Grove, Nr Uckfield King Offa, Bexhill All Saints, Sidley Burwash CE Primary Most of us are CRB police checked for working in schools and we jump at the chance to communicate our enthusiasm for drum-music and performance to new schools and groups of students. Drumfire Northfield Bungalow Farnham Lane Langton Green Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0DJ 07905 469295 simon.spare@virgin.net

African Drums and Rhythms Information Sheet AFRICA is a continent of rhythm and dance. Before it was colonised by the European nations in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was divided into different empires and kingdoms. Each had their own traditions, songs and drums. The DJEMBE (jem-bay) was the drum of the the Mandinke people, from the great West African Mali Empire of the 12th century, situated in the present-day countries of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal and Gambia. It has become the most widely played of all African instruments. Today, as before, it is used to celebrate times of importance in village life such as baptism, weddings, full moons, harvest etc, and through the popularity of world music, it's appeal is spreading on a daily basis. The DJEMBE is a "goblet" shaped drum with a skin (usually goat) stretched over one end. It is played with the hands as part of a group of drums. The other drums in this group are cylindrical and have cow skin heads. Played with a large stick, they come in three sizes and are called the kenkeni (smallest & highest), the sangban (middle) and the dundunba (biggest and lowest). A bell is played at the same time, completing the ensemble. Traditional West African Rhythms are normally "polyrhythms". This means that there are 4 or 5, and sometimes even 6 or 7 different parts that go together to make each rhythm, and they are often accompanied by singing and a dance. Most rhythms are played for specific occasions, some are mask dances - others are played only at football matches! Rhythms include: Kakilambe, Liberte, Dimbadun, Soko, Soca, Koukou, African Rhumba, Tiriba, Babobo, Yankadi, Kpanlogo, Yole, Cassa, Sorsonet, Mandiani, Doundounba, Fanga, Diagbe, Fankani, Marakadon, Soli, Abondon. - Plenty to learn, you see! Other drums from Africa include: Sabar, Bougarabou, Frontonfrom, Atumpan, Apentema, Apetia, Bobo, Brekete, Atsimevu, Sogo, Kidi, Kagan, Kroboto, Totodzi, Kpanlogo, Oslama, Kete, Kurukutu, Sakara, Togo, Bada, Bata and Talking Drums. How to play the djembe. There are three main notes played on the djembe. 1) The BASS, played with the flat of the hand in the middle of the drum - a deep "booming" sound. 2) The TONE, played with the bottom pads of the fingers towards the edge of the drumskin, fingers outstretched - a "thick" note. 3) The SLAP, played by striking the edge of the drum with the palm of the hand and allowing the fingers to "flap" into the drumskin - a "sharp, dry, cracking" sound. Like the tone, this takes a while to get right. Most West African djembe rhythms are a combination of these three notes. The arm bends at the elbow and not at the wrist. This gives more power and greater control. Don't forget to take rings off first! The CALL is played by the lead djembe player. As the name suggests, it calls everybody into the rhythm, shows them where to start and at what speed they should play. It is also used to draw the song to a close, and sometimes to bring a change of rhythm in the middle of the song. The other thing to bear in mind is the tempo, which can change dramatically during the song. Usually, we start slowly and speed up either gradually or at a given point. This is called the echauffement (literally "heating up"), and can result in some very fast playing towards the end! Above all, the most important thing about African Drumming is to have FUN. You hardly ever see someone playing drums without a big smile on their face. It's something you can do on your own, or in a group (or "circle"), loudly or quietly, fast or slow - it doesn't matter. Once you get the knack of playing, you won't want to stop. And the more you play, the better you'll get. So ENJOY YOURSELF!! Rhythm Notation. Traditionally, West African rhythms were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. More recently, various ways of writing down rhythms have been devised. All show the order the different notes are played in, but my favourite shows which hand to use as well. If you are left-handed, just change left for right. Here's an example. African Rhumba. B - Right hand bass b - Left hand bass T - Right hand tone t - Left hand tone S - Right hand slap s - Left hand slap x - Gap Djembe 1 b x T t B x S x b x T t B x S x Djembe 2 x x S s x x S s x x S s T t S s Dunduns - Only Dundunba and Sangban in this particular song. D - Dundunba S - Sangban 0 - Bell D x x x S x S x D x x x S x S x Bell x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 x 0 Call - Djembe Ss x S s x S x s S x T t T t x x Simon G Spare C/o Northfield Bungalow Farnham Lane Langton Green Tunbridge Wells TN3 0DJ 01892 862452 07905 469295 simon.spare@virgin.net For more information on drumming workshops and Drumfire performances please contact Simon. See details above. Drumfire support Fair Trade Percussion Instruments at Natural Flow Direct