Amoung the multiple rhythms that will be played this month:
- Bolokonondo
This is a rhythm from the Dunumba family of rhythms that originated in the Kouroussa region. Bolokonondo means "The 9 paths".
-Sofa
Sofa means warrior, and it is known to be one of the oldest Malinke rhythm.
This rhythm used to be played for horseback warriors. Originally played with a string instrument called a Bolon. Trained horses would perform a stepping dance on the rhythm, with songs extolling the warrior's bravery and before battle, to urge warriors on to great feats of courage and endurance.
Today, Sofa is played to honor a very important and respected person.
-Soliba / Balakulandjan
Soliba / Balakulandjan (Birds by the water) is a Malinke rhythm / song from the Kouroussa region. The song Balakulandjan is an old song which used to be sang for Soumaoro Kante’s brother who was a hunter (As per the legend…the animals where singing for him). The variation between Soliba and Balakulandjan come from the fact that Balakulandjan (2 versions) originates in Soliba. It is also played in the same context as the Soli family of rhythms and used to be played at the time of initiatiations ceremonies , the day before Soli. It is now played in other occasions as well.
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
TORONTO "Beginners / Intermediate" group class - listed Thursdays: 6 to 7.30 PM
TORONTO Beginners group class on listed Thursdays: 7:30 to 9.00PM
Guelph group classes - 1st Wednesdays of each month: 7:45PM to 9:15PM
(Registration reqiored)
Hamilton group classes -1st Mondays of each month: 7:30PM to 9:00PM
(Registration required)
Mississauga group classes -1st Wednesdays of each month: 5:30PM to 7:00PM
(Registration required)
Thornhill group classes - Last Wednesdays of each Month: 6:30PM to 8:00PM
(Registration required)
Toronto Children group classes Thursdays
(Registration required)
End of January 2012 - classes schedule:
Tuesday January 10th - 2012 - TORONTO (Intermediate / Adv)
6:30PM to 8.00PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
February 2012 - classes schedule:
Wednesday February 1st - 2012 - Guelph - ON
7:45PM to 9.15PM - Pre-registration required.
Thursday February 2nd - 2012-TORONTO Beginners / Intermediate
6PM to 7.30 PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
Thursday February 2nd - 2012 - TORONTO Beginners - 7:30 to 9.00PM
Tuesday February 7th - 2012 - TORONTO (Intermediate / Adv)
6:30PM to 8.00PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
Thursday February 9th - 2012-TORONTO Beginners / Intermediate
6PM to 7.30 PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
Thursday February 9th - 2012 - TORONTO Beginners - 7:30 to 9.00PM
Tuesday February 14th - 2012 - TORONTO (Intermediate / Adv)
NO CLASSES ON VALENTINE's DAY
Thursday February 16th - 2012-TORONTO Beginners / Intermediate
6PM to 7.30 PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
Thursday February 16th - 2012 - TORONTO Beginners - 7:30 to 9.00PM
Tuesday February 21st - 2012 - TORONTO (Intermediate / Adv)
6:30PM to 8.00PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
Thursday February 23rd - 2012-TORONTO Beginners / Intermediate
6PM to 7.30 PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
Thursday February 23rd - 2012 - TORONTO Beginners - 7:30 to 9.00PM
Tuesday February 28th - 2012 - TORONTO (Intermediate / Adv)
6:30PM to 8.00PM - Requires prior teacher's approval
(The following form is for non-business and individual related inquiries 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)
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 Guinean 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 instruments are used in the modern version of orchestra, like the Balafon, the Kora, the Bolon, fula flute, shakers or the Krin .
These Fun drumming lessons based in Toronto-Canada and G.T.A (Guelph - Hamilton - Mississauga...etc..), are focused on Guinean Rhythms and traditions.
Beginner, intermediate, and Intermediate/advanced players on the Doundoumba, Sangban, Kenkeni, Djembe, can attend without any particular prerequisites
(Adult Drop in classes). Beginners play basic rhythmic patterns in dedicated beginner's group classes, while intermediate and advanced players play 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 will be explained 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.
Alpha's 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 Guinean 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 for everyone.
Beyond the group classes, you will also have access to online instruction material, as well as private classes.
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:
- Learn about Mandingue and Guinean culture / traditions in a fun and friendly environment.
- Relief daily stress.
- Improve listening skills and develop multi-tasking abilities:
- Improve Concentration and the ability to Focus.
- Improve short term memory.
- Develop Confidence.
- Improve left and right hand coordination and independence.
- Read and write simple percussion notation.
- Communicate without words or gestures.
- Discover the world of improvisation and soloing.
Also read our Djembe drumming blog articles including:
The many benefits of Djembe drumming
Why you will never learn how to play the Djembe in a drum circle
Traditional guinean percussion orchestra - playing basic
Learning how to play the Djembe drum
Beyond the “Doundoumba / Djembe” Guinean orchestra model
and more...
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 a fun environment.
By attending our classes, professional musicians playing a percussive or non percussive instrument will experience music in a way that will change them forever.
Piano players - Drum kit players, this is your chance to experience a different right/left hand independence/coordination to take your instruments to the next level.
We have Children classes in Toronto - Read on for further details
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" "bulletin board" for details.
- WELCOME -
Like any other musical and percussion instrument in the world,
the Djembe requires instruction ....
My quote of the day:" Learning how to play the Djembe is like learning to type on a computer keyboard - You can still use the keyboard and get by, even though you never 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 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?
Have you 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 dedicated 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.
Have you 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.
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
I have always been in love with African music - the rhythm, the beat, the raw feeling of it. And when I listen for the beat in any music, when dancing for example, I listen for the drum (not the clave). Basically, percussions in music and an African motif is what I look for, when I listen to music of any kind. So, when I traveled to Morocco, I got a Doumbelek, then later a friend of mine gave me a small djembe, which were just a decoration in my house. Now, after signing for your classes, I can actually use them for what they were meant to be used. I love your classes, the atmosphere and the energy. I also appreciate the bonus private lesson, which comes with the package, and the access to some helpful graphics on your website. I do believe that if I do my practice, you can make a drummer out of me ...:)
I am glad I found you!
Thank you for your patience with people like me, who have no musical background at all!
Cheers!
Maria.
Please join the above mailing list,
to receive the Monthly newsletter and Guelph / Kitchener
(1st MONDAY OF THE MONTH: 7:30pm - Registration required)
21 Stone Church Rd WEST (At Upper James) - [Lower room]
Free parking available
LOCATION FOR MISSISSAUGA ADULT CLASSES
(1st WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH: 5:30pm - Registration required)
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
Join us on Facebook:
"Alpha rhythm Roots" Facebook interactive group for our drumming students
Fun Interactive Djembe lesson in group unlike drum circles toronto GTA
Original Drum playing ensemble which inspired the drum circles
gta drumming circle
Fun drumming in a group with a different format than drum circles
Discover how the Djembe drum was played in a group centuries ago - drumming circle
Playing the Djembe drum unlike in Drumming circle toronto
learn how to play the Djembe in a group unlike in drum circle toronto G.T.A
Drumming circle toronto G.T.A
Great Interactive hand drumming class group playing unlike drumming circle toronto GTA
Original Djembe playing ensemble which inspired today's drumming circle
g.t.a drumming circle
Interactive drumming in a group with a different format than drum circles
Discover how Djembe drum was played in an ensemble 800 years ago - drum circles
Playing the Djembe drum unlike in Drum circles toronto
Discover the drumming ensemble - playing Djembe in a group unlike in drum circles toronto G.T.A
Toronto Drumming circle
Promoting traditional music and culture of Guinea for over 10 years !
we are from Guinea - based in Toronto Canada
These classes will allow you to explore drumming complexity that cannot be reached with the drum circle
In order to achieve the goal of learning how to play the djembe through a djembe class.
A Djembe lesson is the best way to improve your level in Djembe percussion.
Learning Djembe through Djembe practice cannot be achieved in a drum circle.
Drum circles do not have the structure and complexity of a West African ensemble.
The drum circle and Djembe Jam though very popular do not allow you to grow and learn music.
Drumming circles are the one thing any beginner should avoid
The drum circle is a relatively new phenomenon inspired from the African djembe ensemble which uses Djembe drum unlike in drum circle which uses any drums.
Authentic Djembe or Professional Djembe is required to play in a djembe percussion ensemble.
You can find many djembe drums for sale on the market, and it’s not easy to choose which one to get. African Djembe drum among other instruments are widely used in drumming circles
And Djembe jam.
Best Djembe are Guinea Djembe without a doubt, and finding a djembe for sale is no easy task.
Learning to play cannot be achieved in drum circles with plastic or fiberglass djembe, and Djembe secrets will only be revealed through hard work with a real West African instructor face to face. Buy your authentic Djembe today and get started.
thousands of Djembe beats
Children's classes:
Do you want to enroll your children in a music class program unlike any other in the G.T.A ? We have children percussion classes that will expand the musical potential of your children in a way you never imagined. These classes could be a good complement to other instrument music classes your children are already enrolled into. No prior music experience is required. Read on for further information about the many benefits of Djembe drumming.
LOCATION FOR TORONTO CHILDREN's CLASSES
(THURSDAYS)
Bavia Arts - 898b St. Clair Ave West - 2nd Floor
(One block East of Okwood)
Free parking available at the back
Children's Classes in TORONTO
Classes in Thornhill
Ontario
Children's Classes in TORONTO
Classes in Thornhill
Ontario
LOCATION FOR THORNHILL ADULT CLASSES
(Last WWDNESDAYS OF THE MONTH: 6:30pm - Registration required)
1136 Centre st - Unit#2 (Between Bathurst and Dufferin)
Free parking available
416-473-0759
Join us on Facebook:
"Alpha rhythm Roots" Facebook interactive group for our drumming students
