Meet your Teacher: Djulz Chambers
Djulz Chambers is a a professional West African-trained percussionist and educator with over 10 years’ experience playing traditional Mbira music.
Djulz has studied Mbira in Zimbabwe under Gwenyambira (master Mbira player) Garikayi Tirikoti. She continues to learn from Garikayi remotely, as well as from local Shona custodians living in Naarm (Melbourne). Her approach to learning and teaching Mbira is grounded in respect for the musical traditions, cultural context and lineage from which the instrument comes.
Djulz also initiated the Mukwа Mbira performance group and the Nhare Mbira Australia WhatsApp community, helping to create opportunities for people in Australia to connect, learn and share their passion for Mbira music.
The class will introduce participants not only to playing the mbira, but also to aspects of Shona musical tradition, culture and the role of mbira within Zimbabwean community life.
Class Details
Mbira Class Melbourne: Saturday 28 November, 5pm to 7pm, St Kilda
The Mbira Dzavadzimu, known as the “mbira of the ancestors”, is the instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, played at bira ceremonies, celebrations and community gatherings. Its metal keys sit on a hardwood soundboard and are played with both thumbs and the right index finger. Two interlocking parts, kushaura and kutsinhira, build the cyclical patterns the music is known for.
This two-hour class introduces complete beginners to the Mbira Dzavadzimu through hands-on playing, listening and repetition. Djulz Chambers leads it, drawing on over 10 years playing traditional mbira music and study in Zimbabwe under Gwenyambira (master mbira player) Garikayi Tirikoti. All instruments in the room are tuned to G, so the group plays as one ensemble from the start.
This is the first mbira community class at African Drumming’s St Kilda studio. Bring your own G mbira if you have one, or select a loan mbira at booking.
FAQs
Do I need musical experience to join the mbira class?
No musical experience is needed. The class is designed for complete beginners and teaches through playing, listening and repeating short patterns as a group. Djulz breaks each part down so the whole class can play it together on the Mbira Dzavadzimu.
Do I need to bring my own mbira?
If you have a Mbira Dzavadzimu please select “Bringing my own G mbira” when you book. A limited number of loan mbiras are available for players who don’t own one. Loan places are limited, so book early if you need an instrument.
What is the Mbira Dzavadzimu?
The Mbira Dzavadzimu is a traditional Zimbabwean instrument deeply rooted in the musical and spiritual traditions of the Shona people. Known as the ‘mbira of the ancestors,’ it is played communally and has traditionally been used in ceremonies, celebrations, gatherings, and spiritual practices. Its interlocking patterns create a rich, cyclical sound that invites listening, connection and collective music-making.
How many people will be in the class?
The class is capped at 14 participants so Djulz can give hands-on guidance to every player. With a small group, she can correct thumb technique and help each player lock into the interlocking parts.
Can I keep learning mbira after this class?
Yes. This class is the starting point for an ongoing mbira community at African Drumming, and participants can join the Nhare Mbira Australia WhatsApp community to meet other players around the country. You can contact us to hear about upcoming mbira sessions.
What’s the difference between an mbira and a kalimba?
The Mbira Dzavadzimu is a specific Shona instrument from Zimbabwe, usually with 22 to 28 keys and traditionally played inside a deze (calabash resonator). Kalimba is the name most often given to smaller lamellophones developed from African designs in the mid-20th century, usually tuned to a Western scale. You can compare both in our Kalimbas & Mbiras range.
