Alpha Rhythm Roots
Tel: 416-473-0759
Fax: 416-351-0707
Email: info@alpharhythmroots.com
www.alpharhythmroots.com
Email Us
Guinea rhythm - African Drumming classes - Toronto Canada
(Toronto and Guelph Ontario classes)
Please join the above mailing list,
to receive the Monthly newsletter and Toronto classes schedule.
TORONTO CLASSES LOCATION
Saint Luke's United church - 157 Carlton St
(South East corner of Carlton and Sherbourne)
USE THE SHERBOURNE ENTRANCE AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS
(College subway + any street car eastbound - 3 blocks)
Free parking available  on side streets
Past Rhythms of the month
Click to see Basics of a Guinea percussion orchestra
COST / PACKAGES:

Tel: 416-473-0759 - Email: info@alpharhythmroots.com

You're welcome to join us for a single class anytime ($20 Drop in).
Since we have new students joining every week,
We DO NOT have sessions that start end finish at specific dates.
If you are unsure about the class level you should join, please contact us.
  
Single class: $20 for each group class (1 Hour 1/2).

Djembes,  Doundoumba, Sangban, Kenkeni drums are provided
(Free of charge)
New students, please let us know if you need a Djembe
This will help us make sure we always have enough  Djembes for all participants.
Welcome package:
Purchase a 6 group classes package - ($90 / $15 per class equivalent)
(Class credit usable for 6 months after the 1st class)
You will then be entitled to a free private introductory class, together with a
Free Alpha Rhythm Roots shirt

Sign up at your 1St drumming class, or use the link below to register:
CLICK TO ACCESS ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM

Classes "Gift cards" : Contact us OR click  to request online

Private drumming classes also available  - Contact us for details
     Rhythm(s) of the month
Sofa - Kassa - Soliba - Soko
Please follow the "View past rhythm of the month" link below to see details of these three rhythms that we will be playing in preparation of a summer festival in most of our classes this month..
CLASSES SCHEDULE - ONGOING DRUMMING CLASSES ALL YEAR
        (Schedule for the following month is posted by the end of each month)  

Intermediate / Adv group class on listed Tuesday: 6.30PM to 8.00PM (Toronto)
(Intermediate / Adv Tuesday group classes)
Requires teacher's prior approval - call to confirm location

"Beginners / Intermediate" group class on listed Thursdays: 6 to 7.30 PM (Toronto)
Beginners  group class on listed Thursdays: 7:30 to 9.00PM (Toronto)

  Guelph group class on listed Wednesdays: 7.00PM to 8.30PM

End of June 2009 - Schedule:

  Thursday  June 25th - 2009 -(Beginners / Intermediate- Requires teacher's approval)
6PM to 7.30 PM (Toronto)
Thursday  June 25th - 2009 - (Beginners) - 7:30 to 9.00PM (Toronto)

Tuesday June 30th -  2009 - (Intermediate / Adv - Requires teacher's approval)
6:30PM to 8.00PM (Toronto)


July 2009 - Schedule:

Wednesday July 1st- 2009 - CANADA DAY - NO CLASSES
 
Thursday  July 2nd - 2009 -(Beginners / Intermediate- Requires teacher's approval)
6PM to 7.30 PM (Toronto)
Thursday  July 2nd - 2009 - (Beginners) - 7:30 to 9.00PM (Toronto)

Tuesday July 7th -  2009 - (Intermediate / Adv - Requires teacher's approval)
6:30PM to 8.00PM (Toronto)

Wednesday July 8th- 2009 - in Guelph Ontario - 7:00PM to 8:30 PM
 
Thursday  July 9th - 2009 -(Beginners / Intermediate- Requires teacher's approval)
6PM to 7.30 PM (Toronto)
Thursday  July 9th - 2009 - (Beginners) - 7:30 to 9.00PM (Toronto)

Tuesday July 14th -  2009 - (Intermediate / Adv - Requires teacher's approval)
CLASS TIME CHANGED TO 6:00PM to 7.30PM THIS WEEK ONLY (Toronto)

Wednesday July 15th- 2009 - in Guelph Ontario - 7:00PM to 8:30 PM
 
Thursday  July 16th - 2009 -(Beginners / Intermediate- 6PM to 7.30 PM
CLASS CANCELLED THIS WEEK DUE TO A WORKSHOP / PERFORMANCE (Toronto)

Thursday  July 16th - 2009 - (Beginners) - 7:30 to 9.00PM
CLASS CANCELLED THIS WEEK DUE TO A WORKSHOP / PERFORMANCE (Toronto)

Tuesday July 21st -  2009 - (Intermediate / Adv - Requires teacher's approval)
6:30PM to 8.00PM (Toronto)

Wednesday July 22nd- 2009 - in Guelph Ontario - 7:00PM to 8:30 PM
 
Thursday  July 23rd - 2009 -(Beginners / Intermediate- Requires teacher's approval)
6PM to 7.30 PM (Toronto)
Thursday  July 23rd - 2009 - (Beginners) - 7:30 to 9.00PM (Toronto)

Tuesday July 28th -  2009 - (Intermediate / Adv - Requires teacher's approval)
6:30PM to 8.00PM (Toronto)

Wednesday July 29th- 2009 - in Guelph Ontario - 7:00PM to 8:30 PM
 
Thursday  July 30th - 2009 -(Beginners / Intermediate- Requires teacher's approval)
6PM to 7.30 PM (Toronto)
Thursday  July 30th - 2009 - (Beginners) - 7:30 to 9.00PM (Toronto)

Schedule for the following month will be posted by the end of July
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Group and private class inquiries
(This form is for individuals only):
Email address:
Name:
Telephone:
Inquiry about:
Please specify your drumming level, as well as the best time and method
for us to contact you (email or phone)
How did you hear  from us:
Drumming class Inquiry details: (English or French)
Click to see Instruction help publications
All over West Africa, and in the world, the Republic of Guinea is known for its wide and rich tradition of  percussion based music and dance. This is also one of the two countries in the heart of where the Djembe instrument originated from (Guinea / Mali region of today). Guinea rhythms are from Malinke, Soussou, Baga, Peul ethnic groups and more.
A Guinea traditional ensemble is usually composed of one to 3 double-sided drum players called Doundounfola, playing the Doundoumba. Sangban, and Kenkeni drums. It also includes a few Djembe players for accompaniment (Djembedefola), and one lead Djembe soloist player (Djembebafola), who follows the dancers steps with his solos. .
Other instrument are also used like the Balafon, The Kora, the Bolon, fula flute, shakers or the Krin in the modern version of orchestra.
These drumming lessons based in Toronto-Canada and surrounding area, are focused on Guinea Rhythms and traditions.
Beginner, intermediate, and Intermediate/advanced players on the Doundoumba, Sangban, Kenkeni, Djembe, can attend without any particular prerequisites
(Drop in classes).  Beginners work on basic rhythmic patterns in dedicated beginner's group classes, while intermediate and advanced players work on more challenging arrangements in dedicated intermediate and advanced group classes.
Students periodically perform at various venues around the GTA.
We are playing various rhythm(s) in classes, that you will learn in detail, including the different pattern for each instrument (Doundoumba, Sangban, Kenkeni, 1st Djembe, 2nd Djembe..).
Only Guinea rhythms are played in our classes.
If you think it is a little restrictive, there are hundreds of rhythms from Guinea alone, and many of them still known and played inside Guinea only.
The teaching method is focused on developing intuitive understanding of West African percussion music, with a strong focus on synchronization, as well as the basic playing techniques used in a Guinea West Africa drumming ensemble.
Alpha has had a unique exposure to both occidental and West African teaching methods, which allowed him to successfuly developed a simple and efficient teaching method.
Beyond the classes, you will also have access to online instruction material.
The Doundoumba, Sangban and Kenkeni drums are the base and foundation of Guinea drumming, though unfortunately neglected by many North American hand drummers who only play the more popular Djembe. These double-sided drums are played in every group class together with Djembes.
Among the many benefits, attending these classes will help you:
- Develop listening skills.
- Improve concentration and focus
- Increase spontaneous memorization.
- Develop confidence.
- Develop multitasking capabilities.
- Facilitate left and right hand drumming coordination and independence.
- Read and write simple percussion notation.
- Explore non-verbal communication.
- Discover improvisation and soloing.
- Discover Guinea traditions and culture.

Whether you are a beginner drummer or an experienced Djembe player with little experience on the Doundoumba base drums, you'll get a chance to further develop your overall understanding of Guinea rhythms tradition and culture, through the practice of these traditional instruments in one of our dedicated group lessons.
Children are welcomed - Parental supervision may be required.
(Case per case basis) 

Whenever you have the opportunity, we also strongly recommend that you attend  workshops from Guinean Master drummers, either in Guinea or in North America.

Master drummers periodically come to Toronto for workshops.
Check our home page "board" for details.

- WELCOME -
Comments about Drumming circles / drum circles:
The North American drum circle concept has grown from the initial lack of understanding of West African percussion by the first North Americans who were exposed to the Djembe drum.
Because of its complexity, sophistication, and uniqueness, it was not easy to comprehend the musical structure and rhythmic interaction of West African percussion, and no Master drummers were available to teach in North America at the time.
Consequently, West African drumming mainly was reduced to a simple form of group drumming taken out of its traditional and cultural context, with little to no interaction between drummers.
This is unfortunately reinforcing a common misconception that Djembe playing does not need instruction. Unfortunately, this very simplified form of drum circle group playing has been adopted as being the equivalent of  its more sophisticated and highly interactive West African original. Most novice and percussion music enthusiasts are unaware of the difference, while the original sophisticated Djembe ensemble type of playing is being purposely ignored and hidden by many North American "drum makers" and "circle facilitators" for commercial reasons.
"Like any other musical and percussion instrument in the world, the Djembe requires instruction.  Imagine trying to learn how to play the piano by yourself..."
Class location
(Optional)
Have a question? - Just contact us ,
or use the attached inquiry form at the bottom of this page.
Keep scrolling down for more information:
(Classes special packages / cost / location and schedule)

CLICK TO ACCESS ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
Experienced Djembe players:

Do you want to take your Djembe hand playing technique to the next level?

Do you want to experience a higher level of musical interaction, and play more complex and challenging arrangements on the world most famous hand drumming instrument?

Do you want to join a group that regularly perform at venues around the GTA?

You've been playing the Djembe in drum circles for some times, but you feel like you need to improve your playing technique to take it to the next level?

There are other people like you in our Intermediate and advanced  group classes.
Absolute beginners / beginners:

Do you want to start playing the Djembe, but feel intimidated, or don't really know where to start?  Allow us to help you break the ice.

You've been playing the Djembe or hand drums in a drum circle, but feel like you need  dedicated instruction?

There are other people like you in our beginner's and intermediate dedicated group classes.
No prior experience is required.
Check out our dedicated group classes and allow us to introduce you to the world of Guinean percussion ensemble, and its almost endless variety of authentic rhythms passed along since the 13th century, played on the Djembe and various other percussion instruments.
Click to access booking information
Please visit "About Us"  for further information about Alpha Rhythm Roots.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Alpha Rhythm Roots - All Rights Reserved - Web site designed by Alpha
Instruments:
Fun Interactive Djembe class group playing unlike drumming circle toronto GTA
Original Djembe playing ensemble which inspired the drumming circle
gta drum circle
Fun drumming in a group with a different format than drumming circles
Discover how Djembe drum was played in a group centuries ago - drum circles
Playing the Djembe drum unlike in Drum circles toronto
learn how to play Djembe in a group unlike in drumming circles toronto G.T.A
G.T.A Drum circle toronto
Beginners classes
(Absolute beginners)
Toronto
Beginners / Intermediate classes (Toronto)
Intermediate/Advanced
classes (Toronto)
Beginners classes
(Absolute beginners)
Toronto
Beginners / Intermediate     classes (Toronto)
Intermediate/Advanced
classes (Toronto)
(Optional)
          New student of the month

My name is Adeysh (aka Gundeep ) , I work in the fashion industry and  just moved to Toronto from New York city, where I learnt about different percussion's while doing Afro Brazilian dancing  and  totally fell in love with the Djembe, the first time I played  the beat of the djembe took me to a different zone, and playing it with a group of  people was fun.I have been doing yoga for a while now and playing the Djembe is just like yoga for me  gives  me a deeper sense of calmness and enjoyment and makes me forget of all the negative feelings.
Also learning from Alpha has been amazing because of his patience with us and also having to learn from some one who enjoys the teaching and doesn't take it as a job.
Please join the above mailing list,
to receive the Monthly newsletter and Guelph / Kitchener classes schedule.
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TORONTO
GUELPH / KITCHENER
Classes in Guelph Ontario
Classes in Guelph Ontario
WEDNESDAYS  - GUELPH CLASSES LOCATION
Harcourt Memorial United Church - 87 Dean Av (Chapel or 202)
Free parking available at the Church.
Class location
Please join the above mailing list,
to receive the Monthly newsletter and Toronto classes schedule.
Join This Mailing List
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Please join the above mailing list,
to receive the Monthly newsletter and Guelph / Kitchener classes schedule.
Join This Mailing List
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TORONTO
GUELPH / KITCHENER
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"Alpha rhythm Roots" Facebook interactive group for our drumming students
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"Alpha rhythm Roots" Facebook interactive  group for our drumming students
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