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It was Hamish’s birthday last weekend. All he wanted was a drumming party and a djembe … well his cool Mum Emily made it all happen – that’s one happy Djembefola right there!

Be sure not to miss out on our amazing African Drumming kids parties, you can find out more about the packages we offer here.

We’ve been busy making drums all week down here in St Kilda …Bruno our drum maker is pumping out the good stuff …

check out some of his handy work on our Ghana djembe range which is well stocked – great value light weight, portable African djembes.

Find our Ghana djembe range here on our website!!

” For me, the djembe addiction took hold in my early twenties. Coming from a classical piano background, djembe was everything piano wasn’t! I still dearly love sitting down and cracking out a Bach prelude but it doesn’t compare to the feeling of playing djembe and being part of a whole community of drummers who share a love for West African rhythms.

I’ve had wonderful teachers along the way – both locally and in Africa – and I’m privileged to work closely with Bangourake who has been so generous in sharing the music and culture of his people with the local drum and dance scene here in Canberra. Yes, behind the grey suits we actually have a thriving community of drum and dance students here!

I discovered early in my ‘djembe journey’ that teaching is what I enjoy the most and is where I can make the most difference. There’s nothing I like to see more than adults, who never had the chance to learn an instrument as a child or claim not to have a musical bone in their body, suddenly engaging regularly in music education and enjoying connecting with others through music. Joining a djembe class really can be life-changing for people. I can’t think of another instrument that has the same power!

Now I just have to hope my two young sons catch the bug and want to play dundun for Mummy! 😉“

“My drumming tourney harks back 4 years ago when my musical wife gave me a voucher for 6 lessons. Lo and behold she created a monster!

Little did she know that my practising would overwhelm her music ever practice. My neighbours even tell me they know when my wife is away when they here me drumming. The benefits of drumming are well known when discussing mental health.

However the spirit of support and camaraderie of the drumming community also plays a tremendous role. Every class where I play instantly transports me away from the trials and tribulations of the business day, and deeply in the circle of rhythms and beats of my drumming group. Of course this is great fun, with regular performances are exciting and entertaining, especially for the drummers.

The more I play the more I recognise there is to learn.
I now have a way to express the music I feel inside.
Now off to practice more as my neighbours do not need too much sleep. ?

Thanks to all my teachers and drumming buddies for all the encouragement”

“Since I was young I have always had a love of music, it didn’t matter what type of music it was. At school I always did music class and learned how to play guitar & trumpet ( but not very well !! ) but I always found myself tapping along to the drum beat, whether it was on the table or empty ice cream containers.

About 8 years ago I went into a deep depression & suffered severe anxiety and panic attacks, my love for everything including music disappeared. After months of slowly getting back on my feet, the love of music slowly returned. One day, while on FB, just scrolling through posts I came across one of my nieces – Jessica May – playing a drum ( which I now know was a djembe) I think I watched the same performance of her everyday, I was hooked.

After speaking with Jess she informed me of a beginners class in Hampton park, although still anxious I convinced myself, with a lot of encouragement from my wife, I attended the class, from the first time I hit the Djembe I felt a feeling that I had never felt before – it was like I had finally found something that brought a smile and excitement to me.

For once in a very long time I knew it was something I wanted to continue & challenge myself. Not only did I love it but I also made and continue to make new friends. It has been just over a year since I played my first Djembe and am enjoying it more & more, now even my wife has starting playing”

“For me the djembe is a powerful entity for humans to channel great energy and to transmit this energy in a joyous and spiritual way. Key aspects of the djembe and its culture for me are; The joy it transmits, The meditative aspect of drumming, The community and union that is created through playing the djembe which incompasses any gathering of people for any reason where listeners dancers and players all come toghether to share the vibration.

The healing benefits of playing, The death of ego that must occur to go deeper into the music, The connection to the natural world, The fact that it makes me feel great. I feel the djembe has 3 and in most cases 4 spirits.

1) the spirit of the animal that lived in the skin
2) the spirit of the tree that the drum is made from,
3)the spirit of the person that made it
4) the spirit of the peron who repairs the skin/drum when needed.

I am a woodworker/artisan and beleive the carving is important but most of all its the intention that goes behind the making and carving and reskinning. Why not try blessing and thanking the skin and when soaking it in water why not with energy crystals such as amber or amethyst, quartz etc.

Rather than boring you with my own story and history of drumming i would like to encourage you to go deeper with your drumming. Meditate with your drum, talk to it give it a name, realise that the music isn´t all you its the djembe and the others playing and the energy you are channeling and transmiting. Be conscious of breath and posture, push through pain with joy, give good energy when drumming , drum from your soul not your head. Play with as many people and in as many situations as possible, learn by your drumming experiences and allow drumming to vitalize your life. Try to drum where there is dance or all in a circle or with fire present or with singing so the energy builds.

I currently live in Tasman near Nelson( South Island, New Zealand) and shall be making and repairing drums and running some workshops soon around expressing and healing yourself with drumming and also workshops on the meditative side of drumming, connecting to power animals and the natural world namely, the 5 elements.

I am blessed to be around other great drummers and dancers here in nelson and would like to promote them and their work too, they are Kimberley Anderson , Rob De Leeuw Miro Klima and Annika Wagenhoff. Happy drumming, Ross

“The first time I saw African drumming was at a workshop at Rainbow Serpent festival ten years ago. I’d never seen anything like it and instantly wanted to learn, thinking wow, wouldn’t it be great to play in a band at festivals, never dreaming that two years later that’s exactly what I’d be doing!

Six weeks later and I was having lessons on djembe and decided nine months after that to travel to Ghana in West Africa to do a four week study intensive. That is where I had my first lesson on duns and immediately knew we belonged together ?

For eight years now my band Rhythm Arkadia has been playing at festivals all over Victoria and what a magical and exciting journey it has been. Never having had a creative outlet before then, drumming has put me in touch with my soul, spirituality and community, something I had never realised was lacking in my life ? I now own crystal and Tibetan singing bowls and offer intuitive sound healing collaborations.

If you are feeling the call to the drum, follow it, it will lead you to amazing places ❤
Thank you Simon for being such an inspiration and my favourite teacher”

“My first exposure to traditional African drumming was in 1983 when C.K. Ladzepko was touring around Australia. Since then I have I integrated it into my own community drumming and dance group Wild Moves on the Surf Coast. This photo was taken at Seven Sisters Festival where I have been involved in creating the Opening or closing ceremonies using djembes for the past 5 years.

Djembes are a part of the primary arts and early childhood education at Deakin University where I have been lecturing for the past 26 years.

Currently I am studying Ethnochoreology at Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Ireland and naturally the djembe is part of my thesis on Sensory Embodiment.

Playing djembe immediately earths my body and helps to keep me grounded, rooting my energy to the Earth.
Playing in a drum circle always connects my heart to others creating a feeling of unity and One Spirit, One Family to ground Peace on our Planet”

” My first experience of drumming was as a young child in India where I attended Mridungam lessons. I never really took these very seriously, but those classes must have left a deep impression on me. In university I was part of a blues/rock band, and our drummer Sylvester encouraged me to have a go on the drum kit.

It was love at first bash. I soon after began having lessons from an amazing teacher, an old school jazz drummer. My first experience of West African drumming was attending a full moon drum circle in Auckland. I remember being blown away by the sounds people were able to achieve with these single skin drums, and being frustrated with my own inability to play Expressively like the people around me.

Thus began my fun and somewhat obsessive journey into rhythms, breaks and the never ending struggle to achieve perfect technique. These days I attend weekly classes in Wellington, as well as play with our local performance group Kubatana, both on djembe and dunduns. I still have nights dreaming about getting that perfect slap and tone”

” The first time i heard a djembe player was one of my best days of my life, he said: “I play with Africans, come and join us”

My eyes started shining, I was so excited to meet these guys and since then my life changed. Later on I met Seydou Dao from Burkina Faso that literally made me cry for how great he was.

That day I fell in love with African music!

” I first took up djembe drumming to rehab a shoulder injury , it was like big magic straight off and just kept getting more and more magical and spiritual. When I lost the use of my right arm it was djembe that made the connections in my brain to rewire itself. Without my love for djembe drumming I would not have the use of my right arm today.

Djembe is always there for me ? my favorite rhythm to play is Moribayassa …. on duns too ,its a beautiful thing & the biggest amount of fun ever ? I love djembe & I love dununs ? I love the healing nature of African Rhythm and the wonderful masters and teachers that share their amazing culture with us.
African drumming is spiritual , healing, amazing fun and a beautiful place to be. Guinea drumming , Mali drumming, Zimbabwe drumming, its the light in my life

I drum with a group of friends in a band called drumbumba and have made a lot of beautiful friends through the djembe”

” My life long journey into rhythm started completely by accident. In my first year of high school learning an instrument was compulsory, and having started and dropped out of learning the piano at primary school, as the selection sheet went around the room I thought to myself “What instrument is the most different from piano?”. Looking at the sheet in front of me I took a stab in the dark and selected “drumkit”, an instrument that was completely mysterious and unknown to me. How do you make music with drums?

Throughout high school the drums became my solace. My get away from the complications of boarding school life. My place to clear my head of all worries and get lost in the empowerment and flow of creating rhythm. This developed into connection with others as I began to meet other musicians and started jamming with them creating music. I loved the way drums came alive when played with other instruments and how they could create a new feeling that was bigger then the sum of its parts.

Then one day, again completely by accident, I stumbled across a djembe at a party and was intrigued by the number of different sounds created by just one drum. I quickly knew that I would be investigating this drum further, and after university when I moved to Auckland I decided I was in the right place to search out and study more about this instrument.

I sought out lessons and connected with the drumming community up there, initially with the intention to take what I learnt and adapt it to kit, but I quickly fell in love with Djembe and African drumming in its own right. The communion of connecting with and creating music with other drummers. The freedom to explore rhythm and push against the edges. The simplicity to get started, but absolute depth to keep exploring. I became involved in performance groups, and even recorded an album, and formed some of my most cherished friendships along the way.

These days I offer this experience to others through teaching African drumming in the Waikato. I continue to be blown away by hand drumming’s ability to allow people to experience the magical connection of creating music with others within an incredibly short amount of time. I also use this as a tool to teach communication and social skills to at risk youth, as well as employing it to great effect in the community development sector.

Feel free to check us out at – https://www.facebook.com/AfricanDrummingWaikato/

“My introduction to drumming began many years ago when I took my kids to a local community festival. I could hear drums playing and remember feeling compelled to find the source of that music. King Marong had a drum circle set up encouraging people to play and the organic sound of the drums with the mellow, hypnotic rhythm of the duns in the background was the best thing I’d ever heard.

I knew I had to learn more so I booked in and started a six week course with King which whet my appetite for all things drumming. I then had classes at Underbelly in Fitzroy, predominantly a dance school, and it was here that I realised drumming isn’t just about the music, it’s also about community.

Amidst the whirl of belly dancers our tight knit drumming class would have lessons each week and then retire to the pub to hatch a plan of how we could incorporate our love of drumming with more altruistic pursuits. And so Purple Dog Rhythms was born, a group of possibly not so great drummers who played at low key events and raised money to restore the sight of people in Ethiopia.

I continued learning djembe with Ben Coleman and then ventured into the world of the duns for a while when I moved to classes at Camberwell and Jeremy became my teacher, rather than my fellow student. These days I’m not as involved in drumming as I used to be, although I still make it to classes and I would miss the music and my drum peeps so much if it wasn’t part of my life. I still love drumming – and that’s 10 years on!”

PS – That’s Glenda with the djembe!

“When I moved to New Zealand from the UK nearly 20 years ago I really wanted to learn to drum along to all the beats I had been dancing to on the clubbing scene in the UK.

A friend directed me to some Djembe classes in Tauranga and I have been jamming out ever since.
We formed our own group in called Tambour then I moved to Auckland and started teaching weekly classes and played with a new group called Bobingi.

Multiple workshops and weekend retreats strengthened my love and ability on this amazing instrument. After 2 years traveling around the world with my partner on returning to New Zealand I decided to make drumming my life.

Rhythm for the Soul (www.rhythmforthesoul.co.nz) was born, interactive music session to teach life skills along with drumming its self.
Since then the development of the business, the results it delivers and the participants has blown my mind.

Have a look at the promo video if you like:

” My introduction to the djembe came later in life. I wasn’t even aware of it’s existence until about six years ago.

I loved rhythm and dance from an early age and remember distinctly highland bands that played at parades, particularly the drums and the way the beat would echo through my whole body in a most delicious way. But that was the limit of my drum experience at that stage and despite having spent three months in Monrovia, Liberia,West Africa, at the age of seven I have no memory of experiencing any drumming whilst over there, not even a parade.

My first real involvement in music was when I began to sing with a church choir at the age of ten and my enthusiasm would get me up early on a Saturday morning to attend practise by 8 am.
Fast forward several decades until about six years ago when I visited my father in the Blue Mountains. It was July and Winter festival time in Katoomba, with a big parade. A group, who I know now as Hands, Heart and Feet, were part of the procession up the main street, with their dancers, costumes and DRUMS!!!!! Oh I loved it.

This prompted more research and after chasing up a few unsatisfying leads over time I came upon the website of African Drumming and finally began djembe lessons. The love affair began. This continued for six months until family commitments required more of my attention and I stopped drumming for a period. In July 2013 I again began classes and to this day I cannot live without the djembe being part of my life.

My first drum camp was an awesome experience. To sit and be part of a large circle of djembe players and play to the accompaniment of two or three sets of duns is just the best thing.The way the rhythms work together to make these amazing sounds to me was, and still is, just so stimulating and I love it. The complexities and challenges of learning new rhythms can be quite difficult but also very satisfying. There is frustration at times but also the reward of it all coming together.

There is so much still to learn, to challenge me, to enjoy. 12/8 time, off beat patterns, clave patterns, bell playing and the magnificent duns. There are new people to meet, friendships to make, new places to visit. Djembe playing has helped build my confidence and I love drumming with every fibre of my being. I thank all of my teachers and the encouragement I have had over time. I’m hooked!”

““Music can transcend language barriers and it is in itself a language of its own.”- A life quote I have formed through my African adventures. I have been playing and studying music and percussion since I was 10 years old with my main instrument being drumkit.

2013 was the year I discovered my passion for African music. When I was 19 years old, on what was a spur of the moment decision I booked a spot on African Drumming’s 10th Anniversary Drum and Dance Tour to West Africa, run by Simon Fraser and Tuza Afutu. I remember the first night in Accra, Salaka gave us a wild welcoming performance. I initially thought “what have I gotten myself into?”

I found it hard to let go of my Western learning style and interpretation of music. I was trying to count and analyse every beat, seeking to understand at what point it lands. I realised that I just needed to feel the beat and everything else would follow. 

I was fascinated with the stories, rhythm and the culture of West Africa and the way music is central to the flow of life. Whilst on the tour, we studied in Ghana and Burkina Faso with various musicians and Master drummers. This experience was eye-opening, and I made great friendships and lasting memories on the tour. I continued my travels into Kenya and Tanzania, living with Maasai warriors and training with various musicians. This trip to Africa sparked my interest in ethnomusicology and the study of different cultures music.

I completed African Drumming’s Teacher Training Course, and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to become a part of the African Drumming team. I taught various classes and workshops across Queensland and Australia. A highlight was teaching at Ramingining State School in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, where I played music with local indigenous students and teachers. I studied Brazilian music at the University of Florida whilst on an exchange program, which truly exposed the extent of the African musical diaspora.

I have now been accepted into postgraduate studies in ethnomusicology at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and will be moving down to Melbourne in 2017. I look forward to becoming a part of the amazing African drumming culture in Melbourne. See you all soon!”

“So my journey with the drum. I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa in 1996, visiting my Aunty who lived in Irene, East of Johannesburg and then exploring as much of this amazing country as I could. The sound of the drum grabbed my soul when I was walking in a market, first it was the rhythm that drew me in, then the smiles on the faces of the musicians as they danced and played. Also, one night camping on the Zambezi River, we could hear the drumming playing into the night. It drew me in from the depths of my soul.

I went home with a drum and began playing around the fire and with fellow musicians. It was time to learn more. I began to do a few classes, learnt therapeutic drumming and then attending a few African Drumming Bali trips. The more a drummed the more I felt grounded, alive, connected and amazed at the healing benefits rhythm can have in your life. The power of rhythm!!!

It is not only the powerful healing the drum can bring, but also the feelings of belonging, joy, fun, release, expression, co-ordination and making friends that music can create.

I have to give a big thanks to Simon Fraser and the African Drumming Team, InRhythm, Tuza, Tara Tucker, Simon Faulkiner from Recovery2Rhythm, Drumbeat and all the other drummers and musicians I have had the joy to learn and share the power of the drum with.
My dream is to keep learning African Rhythms, use the drum as a healing tool in the workshops I run and also as a professional holistic counsellor.

If you want to feel grounded, exercise the left and right side of the brain, feel a sense of belonging, release emotions in a positive way, feel joy from the depths of your soul, meet creative fun people, have adventures to amazing places and meet amazing people, get yourself a drum and get yourself to a drum class then let the journey begin.”

“Hi, I’m Shanida I have been drumming for about 6 years. I’ve gained confidence in playing aswell as being a lead singer. When I first heard about the Baylys beats group at the age of 8, I went over on one of the Wednesday nights and had a go at it and I loved it. I had a few goes at it and then stopped for a while then started back up in 2011.

There were gigs I played at but hadn’t had much experience. In 2012, I brought myself a little djembe from FIJI which I played all the time and learned and gained more skills. 2013 – the first drumming weekend happened in Dargaville. I decided to size up a drum, brought a beautiful sounding / looking drum which I still have now and using constantly. That was definitely all very new to me (drumming weekend) The lovely people and the great food oh and the awesome rhythms that we got taught.

After the drumming weekend we started practicing what we’ve learned. I started the lead singing for Kpanlogo rhythm. Slowly building up my self confidence to sing with a mic at gigs.

2014-2015 I began to learn all rhythms and started to know it gradually off by heart. The last drumming weekend I went to, I got taught how to play the dununs. Had to keep my pace up with everyone so it was very challenging . I’ve also helped out with Josie for the beginners group that happens every year. Playing the duns and also playing with the beginners on different rhythms, it’s cool to know you can teach people what you’ve learnt and you know they’ll be doing the same thing once they’ve learnt heaps. I love how you can just step outside with your drum and play whatever you like. No matter what mistake you do it’s always some sort of rhythm.

I’ve recently tried teaching a couple of mates how to play the songs I’ve learnt. But by numbers – how many of the bass tone and slap of the rhythm. I find it helps, but with a complicated song not so much. As your changing the different tones quite often. I’m looking forward to the drumming weekend in 2 weeks time. All I can say is that I’m much more confident now than I was when I first started . I LOVE it , it has inspired me loads”

“From an early age, I was drawn deeply into music and especially the rhythm driven by the drumbeats that were played throughout the 70’s. My body was driven to movement, mimicking the drum beats, and found myself dancing spontaneously to music, where-ever I was standing or sitting.

In my 30s I moved to St Kilda and came across Voyeu Rhythmic, full of African percussion, and was able for the first time learn how to hold and then later play African rhythms on a Djembe Drum. Wow.

As it worked out, through these inspirational drumming classes, I left with several other students and Simon to Ghana, West Africa for one month for intensive learning of full on drum & dance classes every day, including performances shared by the Ga people, on many occasions of evening.
Didn’t take long for the Djembe to weave its magic into every fibre within my body, growing like an internal to external extension of myself. What an exhilarating feeling gained in life. I am forever grateful for the inner resonance the Djembe has given me & shares with me everyday that I chose”