The djembe has a great cultural heritage in Africa. Although similar in cultural use and significance too many countries and tribes on the African continent, it has minute but significant differences.

The Djembe is the drum of the Mandinka people, and its origins dates back to the great Mali Empire of the 12th century. Of all the African drums, the djembe has become extremely sought after in the Western world and is regarded as the most popular. This drum has inspired master drum makers now found all over the world.

The djembe is made in Mali. In and around the Kayes region. The drum rhythm or Diansa is performed in the evening for most celebrations, example during full moon, spring, summer and winter harvesting time, weddings, baptism, honouring of mothers, immediately after Ramadaan (the month of fast for all Muslim brothers and sisters) or other celebrations. Dancing is the most popular form of entertainment and various rhythms and beats are played on the djembe. Similar type celebrations and cultural rhythms are applicable to Senegal as well as other regions of West Africa.

African goatskins from Mali are the most suitable for covering the playing surface of a djembe, due to central Africa having the perfect climatic and grazing conditions for the goats. The skins therefore undoubtedly, provide the very best sound.

The Gold Restaurant has fast established itself as the authority on traditional African music. Synonymous with group drumming and interactive team building, we are also one of Southern Africa’s leading entertainment agencies. The Drum Cafe also facilitates product launches, fundraisers, awards, shows & road shows. Providing a unique, fun way to bring people together. We also specialise in African traditional, modern and fusion performances and entertainment – don’t miss the new Drumstruck live show. Create link on Drumstruck show.

Africa is the source of nearly all rhythms played today in the world. The drum beat in Africa is heard every day for communication, celebration and fun. I do not aim to make professionals through my teaching; I only want to help you start a journey on the long and wide road of African percussion.

In my workshops, I bring authentic African culture with variety, it’s not all drum talk, I bring history, art and general awareness of life in Africa.

I aim to encourage participation and self-learning by exciting people’s imagination with as many visual and practical challenges as possible. Whatever I do has been learnt by imitation and that is what I try to pass on, to enhance people’s creativity.

Established in 1995 by Eddie Bunting, Drums and Rhythm is the fruit of over a decade of passion, motivation, enthusiasm and love. The seed was planted when he ate, breathed and lived drums and drumming, a pioneer for the djembe in South Africa. Many drumming roll players in this country know him as the “President of drums”.
All this skill and knowledge gave birth to Moropa Africa (African Drum), a small Drum shop selling a range of authentic African drums and percussion instruments from all over the continent, African arti-facts and art, selling African CD’s, a bamboo bar selling African filter coffee and 100% pure fruit juices, a drumming room and a workshop offering drum repairs and re skinning and its where the drums were also built.

Drums and Rhythm caters to a wide range of requirements, from corporate team building, motivational seminars and stress release, to product launches, performances, choreography to entertainment.

Drums and Rhythm offers Drumming, Gumboot Dancing, Traditional African Dancing, Belly Dancing and Fire Dancing for team building and motivation.

We also boast a wide range of , which include:  Gumboot theatre, Gumboot dancers, Salsa dancers, Belly dancers, Traditional African dancers, African Theatre, Zulu Warriors, UV Gumboot show, Fire dancers, Tribal Theatre.

As well as a wide range of , which include:  West African drummers, Samba drummers, Traditional South African drummers,  marimba bands, Afro-fusion bands, Reggae bands, Calypso bands, Bubaka Drum Ensemble, Contemporary bands, DJ’s, Comedians, Stilt walkers, Jugglers,  Samba Bands, Salsa  and African jazz bands.

To complete the package we can provide drums branded with company logos, Djembe necklaces and key rings beaded in company colours and African artifacts for corporate gifts.

Not only are we the country’s foremost drumming company, we are also the largest importer and wholesaler of African drums and percussion instruments in Southern Africa. Drumming was part of our daily lives before the flame was found. Hundreds of drumming enthusiasts are taking the world by storm and they are not alone …Drums and Rhythm is dedicated to spreading the benefits of our Interactive Events as well as promoting the diversity and wealth of the South African culture.

One of the most ancient of musical instruments is the drum. Almost all cultures have used drums in some form or other. Drums in African culture are used to signify various rites and rituals and are not just for the sake of music. Thus, over the years, different types of drums have been evolved to produce different kinds of sounds to suit specific ceremonies or functions.

These drums are believed to have originated sometime around 500 AD from West Africa. Djembes are generally used during ancestral worship, healing ceremonies, warrior rituals, rites of passage and social dancing. The djembe is traditionally hand-carved from solid hardwood log. Goat skin is used to cover the shell and produce the sound unique to this drum.

These drums are known by various other names like dundun, atumpan, gangan, donno, tama, tamma, kalungu, doodo, odondo, dondo, lunar and lunna. These hourglass-shaped drums are called “talking drums” as they were used in ancient times to pass messages through different villages and communities. The drum is made from wood and animal hide attached together by leather cords.

The drum is supported under the left arm, while hitting on the skin with a bent stick produces the sounds. While beating the stick on the drumhead, the drummer squeezes the “waist” of the drum to produce different types of notes by changing the pitch. The tighter you squeeze the drum, the higher the pitch of the note. It is this language that was used to pass messages through the villages. The drums were also used to recite prayers and evoke blessings during many rituals.

African drums is a post from: Reckless Abandon

Before learning the double stroke roll you should already be comfortable performing the single stroke roll. I consider the single stroke roll a prerequisite to learning the double stroke roll.

The double stroke roll is commonly recognized in marching bands and drum corps and is also referred to as the “open roll”.  It’s very distinctive and also used a lot in jazz and rock drumming also.

The proper way to perform the double stroke roll is to allow each stroke of the drum to bounce off the drum head twice.  Double tap with the right hand first, and then the left.

Right Right, Left Left, Right Right, Left Left.

Hold your sticks firmly but keep your wrists relaxed and flexible.  You must have your fulcrum point between your thumbs and forefingers correct in order to achieve the necessary bounce. Stay loose and when you have the correct positioning you’ll know it.

and allow the sticks to bounce off the drum.  Listen carefully and concentrate on ‘opening up’ the roll.  The double roll should sound noticeable and not closed in like a regular buzz roll. The key to a great double stroke roll is to keep your movements fluid, controlled and even in tone.

Add just the right amount of force to the drumhead to get the bounce just right.

Remember, your goal is to get the stick to bounce off the drum twice with one smooth downward stroke. In time, you’ll get a nice crisp double bounce.  Once you master the double stroke roll it will make learning the triple stroke roll that much easier.

The double stroke roll is one of the most common an important drum rudiments every drummer should strive to master so don’t overlook it. Learn it and practice daily to take your drumming to newer heights.

Learn Drum Rudiments – The Double Stroke Roll is a post from: Reckless Abandon

The Single Paradiddle

Becoming a full-fledged drummer requires that you learn, practice, and master the forty drum rudiments. The paradiddle is a drum staple and is a part of every successful drummer’s repertoire.

Before jumping into the single paradiddle I recommend learning your single and double rolls first.  This will help you learn the single paradiddle much faster. For a lot of beginners, this rudiment will initially feel awkward to play. But this is exactly why it is unique from other rudiments.

It’s one of the more challenging rudiments learn, or at least to the point that you can execute it quickly and seamlessly.  But, the moment you finally get this move down, your drumming will have entered a whole new dimension.

You’ll be able to incorporate it in to all sorts of new solos, beats and grooves. Simply practicing it will greatly improve your stick independence too. No other drum rudiment can do that for you.

Execution

The single paradiddlecombines the single and double stroke roll into one rudiment. Some find it awkward at first and that’s probably because you have to play 8 strokes before the pattern is repeated.

The sticking itself is easy. RLRR-LRLL-RLRR-LRLL.

Count like this as you do it.

One and two and three and four and

Or, 1 e and ah 2 e and ah

The breakdown of the sticking follows this pattern:

RL – Singles  RR – Double   LR – Singles  LL – Double

The pattern is a combination of basic sticking but the importance of knowing your singles and doubles becomes apparent real quick once you start to speed up the strokes.

As with all of your rudiments, in order to perform it fast you must first practice and learn it slow.  Of course maintaining proper grip, staying flexible and applying  the appropriate stick to drum pressure is vital, and you must pay close attention to all of these if you want to master the paradiddle.

Don’t get discouraged and do not rush things. Practicing this pattern on a regular basis will slowly help you produce a paradiddle that sounds just like a fluent roll with a twist.

It’s a good idea to make use of a metronome when you practice also because it will help you with your timing.

Find out how you can master all 40 drum rudiments and keep on drummin!

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Learn Drum Rudiments – The Paradiddle is a post from: Reckless Abandon

and which ones do you need to know?

Drum rudiments are like the foundation of a house, and to build any good house you need a secure foundation..

All drumming is a combination of the rudiments and every drumbeat is a rudiment of some sort, or a combination thereof. Learn and practice them to become a more effective drummer.

The single stroke roll

The roll is the probably the most recognizable, and there are many variations of the basic roll. It’s used mostly as a single, double and even  triple beat.

The roll can be open or closed and a good drummer will mix it all up in a musical piece with smoothness and ease. Everybody loves a good roll but have a nice crisp tight roll, you need to practice.

The double stroke roll

The double stroke roll is commonly used in marching bands and drum corps and is also referred to as the “open roll”.  It’s very distinctive and also used a lot in jazz and rock drumming also. Great drummers perform the double stroke roll smooth and sharp, and you can hear the crisp accents which makes it sound pretty awesome.

The paradiddle

A great sticking technique used to learn coordination, speed and control is the paradiddle. I consider it to be the bread and butter of drum practice, a true essential. The best drummers learn to master the paradiddle and all of it’s variations.

The paradiddle is fantastic for learning hand independence and helping with dexterity. All beginners, and even advanced players, should continuously work to improve their paradiddle because its an essential rudiment for becoming an advanced drummer.

These are the top three drum rudiments.  Don’t overlook the importance of these rudiments because they are the cornerstone of any good drummer. You have to have the basics under your belt before you move on to more advanced drumming.

So to build a good drumming foundation you need to start with the rudiments.  Learn these three  and work for perfection before moving on to more advanced techniques.

Don’t rush and try to play fast and fancy, that will come in time,  just stay with the basics and learn to play them properly.

Question by Luekas: What are some good site to help me learn some basic drumming?
I have a drum pad in my room and I can’t afford a drum set yet. What are some good sites to help me learn some drumming skills on the pad. A simple site would be nice too. All the ones I have been to have been complicated.

Best answer:

Answer by DONALDO
watch nearl peart videos,www.break.com

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Learn Drum Rudiments – Top Three Rudiments is a post from: Reckless Abandon

With so many practice pads out there, how do you buy drum pads? To answer this, you need to know the type of drum music you will be playing, the environment you will be playing in, the precise drum equipment you will be playing, and your budget for buying drum a percussion pad.

So what type of practice pads are out there? Well, what do you want the percussion pad to feel like? Do you want it to feel like a bass drum practice pad, snare drum head, tenor practice pad, or just a plain drum practice pad. Is there specific brand that appeals to you like a Remo practice pad (Remo drum pad).

Would you play with a Vic Firth drum stick? Danmark? Don’t just look for the average drum for sale. Choose best for your situation. If you can’t be serious about that, then join the woodwind and brasswind section. Most people know of Reel Feel by HQ. Other styles are single sided, double sided where one side has a soft rubber and the other is a hard rubber made of neoprene. Drum pads are made different sizes too such 6″ and 12.” Other types of drum pads are mutes, which are made for drum kits (drum sets) for the drum heads and cymbals. Mutes are made in many different sizes and they make quiet practicing on option on the drum set.

What type of drum music do you play? Do you play Jazz? Are you a Drum Corp guy? Or, are you just learning how to play drum music? You need to know this so that your choice in a drum shop will be intelligent. Don’t get a used drum pad. Buy drum pads that are best for your condition of playing.

How about your environment? Where are you practicing? Are you in a garage? Do you play in bedroom? How about at school? That is a funny one, if you are in a high school band, are you learning how to play drums in class? Sometimes drummers tap on their legs while in class. That’s detention time my friend. Either way, anywhere, depending on your surroundings, you need to choose a drum pad that best suits your ears, feeling and the one that does not annoy other other drum bum. As most drummers know, there are many types of musical instrument accessory. When it comes to drum pads, there are also many types of drum practice pads.

Finally, what is your budget? Are you willing to spend or 0? Most drum shops who sell single side and double side drum pads offer drum pads at an average of .00. You can expect shipping to be around – depending on the drum shop and practice pad. Don’t buy used drum pads. In addition to drum pads, these drum bum drum shops sell mallet bags, drum videos, drum books, many drum accessory and other drum equipment.

Choose wisely and happy hunting for your favorite drum practice pad.

The owner of DrumEx.com – Darren Tunstall, has been drumming and providing drum instruction for years. Since the start, he has gained much knowledge and he wants to share that information with you. Visit [http://www.drumex.com] or http://drumex.blogspot.com/

Rowan Atkinson comes across an invisible drum kit while sweeping. He’s not too bad with it.

Choosing the Right Drum Practice Pad to Learn How to Play Drums is a post from: Reckless Abandon

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Drum Channel Live With Spookey Ruben And Adam Marcello is a post from: Reckless Abandon