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
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 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.
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..."
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 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.
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