Private drumming classes also available - Contact us for details
Rhythm(s) of the month
Bolokonondo
This is a rhythm from the Dunumba family of rhythms.
Bolokonondo means "The 9 paths".
Khon (Dunumgbe)
This Malinke rhythm is part of the Dunumba family of rhythms from the Hamana Gberedu region of Guinea.
It is the most significant, and the root of the many Dunumba family rhythms (The dance of the strong Men). The percussionist come to the lead dancers house “Barati” and start playing the “Khon” to announce the Dunumba festivities. The family of the “Baratis” then comes down to the village main place followed by a group of least experienced dancer’s family who want to become the “Baratis”. Multiple dundumba rhythms will be played without interruption during the festivities. The dance during the festivities will be a symbolic confrontation between the group of Baratis and the other group forming two lines, should the other group wins, their family will then become the “Baratis”.
Each dancer is holding a Machete in the right hand and a Hippopotamus skin whip in the other one all through the symbolic confrontation dance.
ALL CLASSES MONTHLY SCHEDULE - GROUP DRUMMING CLASSES
(Schedule for the following month is posted by the end of each month)
TORONTO Intermediate / Adv group classes on listed Tuesdays: 6.30PM to 8.00PM
Requires teacher's prior approval - call to confirm location
TORONTO "Beginners / Intermediate" group class on listed Thursdays:
6 to 7.30 PM
TORONTO Beginners group class on listed Thursdays: 7:30 to 9.00PM
Guelph group classes on listed Wednesdays: 7:45PM to 9:15PM
Hamilton group classes on listed Mondays: 7:30PM to 9:00PM
Mississaugagroup classes on listed Wednesdays: 5:30PM to 7:00PM
We also have weekend Occasional special open workshops.
Contact us for further details or follow the link:
(The following form is for non-business and individual related inquiries only):
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Inquiry about:
Please specify your drumming level, as well as the best time and method
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Drumming class Inquiry details: (English or French)
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 lessonsbased in Toronto-Canada and G.T.A (Guelph - Hamilton - Mississauga), 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 ....
My quote of the day:" Formally learning how to play the Djembe is like formally learning to type on a computer keyboard - You can still use the keyboard and get by, even though you never formally learned.
But no matter how long you've been using a computer, you will be limited, and will never type as fast, or be as comfortable/versatile as a secretary who formally learned the hands/fingers keyboard technique!"
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.
Please visit "About Us" for further information about Alpha Rhythm Roots.
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 Andrew, "I try my best to be a well-rounded person, because, according to the Buddha and many others, the art of life seems to be balance. In addition, I have always loved the idea of "The Renaissance Person", someone who is proficient in many different areas of life, despite, perhaps, being a "specialist" in one. This is partly what brought me to drumming because I concluded that I needed more outlets for creative expression, and that music was one of the best I could include. My parents kindly gifted me with a beautiful djembe not long ago, and I started playing it myself with no concept of technique, and after a few months I decided lessons would be a good idea, lol...so, my girlfriend ended up surprising me with a 6-class-pack from Alpha, a.k.a. The Man with the Plan, and I started learning how to properly play. It has been wonderful so far, and I feel healthier and happier because of it. Alpha is very well-versed, attentive, patient, and great with beginnings in addition to more advanced players. He keeps us on our toes by sporatically tossing into the mix new "patterns", and we also get the chance to play larger drums which the djembes complement. It is great fun, and for now I simply want to keep showing up, keep improving, and see if I can improve enough to perform someday. Thank you for all you do, Alpha, and see you in class!!"
Andrew.
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21 Stone Church Rd WEST (At Upper James) - [Lower room]
Free parking available
WEDNSDAYS - MISSISSAUGA CLASSES LOCATION
Streetville United church - 274 Queen Street South
[Use the back entrance by the parking lot - 1st floor "grade1" room]
Free parking available at the church
Like any other musical and percussion instrument in the world,
the Djembe requires instruction ....
My quote of the day:" Formally learning how to play the Djembe is like formally learning to type on a computer keyboard - You can still use the keyboard and get by, even though you never formally learned.
But no matter how long you've been using a computer, you will be limited, and will never type as fast, or be as comfortable/versatile as a secretary who formally learned the hands/fingers keyboard technique!"
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