We run djembe classes for all levels. If you’re brand new to drumming, you’ll feel right at home, and if you already play, you’ll find plenty to challenge and inspire you.
The djembe is a unique instrument: easy to pick up, yet deeply rewarding as you progress. West African polyrhythms have a way of bringing people together, and they’re also great for our mental well-being.
Our 6-week series takes you through a complete West African drumming arrangement, including djembe accompaniments, solos, breaks and calls.
We focus on rhythms from the traditional djembe regions of Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Senegal, and sometimes draw on grooves from Ghana too.
Classes are supported by a dunun (bass drum) player, giving you the full polyrhythmic experience and helping sharpen your listening skills.
Beginner and intermediate groups focus on technique training to build dexterity, hand independence, coordination and stamina.
Single class $33 (Concession $30)
6-week series: $180 (Concession $170)
All of our students receive a student card with special discounts on our instruments and accessories.
We also offer hire drums to our students to help your practice, with a special rent-to-hire option.
At tribalism, students from all our classes come together to share what they’ve learned.
It’s a chance to play for friends, family, and the wider community, and celebrate the progress made in class. The evening ends with a big open jam.
Our students get plenty of support outside the classroom, from practice tools to community groups and ongoing guidance.
Check out our student resources for more ways to keep learning.
No experience is required.
The djembe is one of the easiest instruments to start learning, and beginners often pick it up quickly.
Our Beginner Djembe Classes are designed to get you playing straight away, even if you’ve never played music before.
If you’re just beginning, we recommend starting with our Beginner Djembe Classes.
These sessions build a strong foundation in hand technique, and introduce you to the structure of traditional West African drumming.
Most students are ready to step up after completing two or more of our 6-week djembe series.
If you feel comfortable with the basics, you can move into the Intermediate group after a quick chat with your teacher.
Our drum classes run in 6-week series, and it’s best to join in the first or second week.
Each week takes you deeper into a traditional West African rhythm, and by the end of the series you’ll be part of your class ensemble, with the chance to perform at Tribalism, our student performance night.
If you don’t have a djembe, we can provide one for you to use in class at no extra cost.
For practicing at home, we offer drum hire at $20 per week.
In the highly likely event that you fall in love with your djembe, we can help make it official with our Rent to Own plan, which lets you put your hire fees towards the purchase of your drum. We’ll credit the continuous hire payments you’ve made if you buy within 4 weeks of your last class.
We also have a range of djembes available for purchase, including Second Hand, Indo Series and Ghana Series drums, which can be picked up directly from our St Kilda Studio.
See the full terms of hire here.
Our classes are designed specifically for the djembe, so other drums aren’t suitable.
These classes are for adults.
Your drumming background will definitely help, but hand drumming is quite different to playing a drum kit.
We recommend starting with at least one beginner series to get comfortable with djembe technique and the style of West African drumming.
We don’t offer refunds on class bookings.
If you let us know in advance, we can transfer your booking to a future class at no extra cost. Please note that we can’t transfer missed classes.
If you happen to miss a class, no worries!
We can send you a video of the session, so you can catch up and stay on track.
Get in touch with our team for personalised advice. We’re known for our quick replies!
Drumming has been scientifically proven to benefit mental, physical and emotional wellbeing in a range of ways.
Drumming has been scientifically proven to benefit mental, physical and emotional wellbeing in a range of ways.
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