Im going to rant, and I dont care at this point, Vancouver is full of people supposedly teaching Djembe, but hoesntly they are not teachign Djembe, they are jsut selling their bullshit to you, and putting some pretty marketing around it. They do not teach people how to actually drum west african music-rythyms , they cannot even teach you about the instrument itself, how it is made, how to tighten and tune it, how to care for it, or repair it, where a Djembe is from just by looking at it, and what wood it is made from, or if it is a good Djembe at all. They know likely 1 or 2 rythyms from the west coast if that. However apprently these people are teaching Djembe without any knowledge of the culture, or any treal training. Teaching drumming is all fine and dandy I dont have a problem with people teaching drumming, as long as they let you know they have no training themselves, and are making it all up as they go, and using spiritual phrases to sell their BS. Do not use the Djembe brand to make your money. Respect the Culture, be Honest, how can you teach Djembe if you cant even play it... I will post from Mamady Keita himself. Djembe Rhythm Traditional Mandingue This groups under the same banner all African artists who are concerned with preserving traditional Mande music in all its forms, both artistic and social. Many artists have already responded to this call. They are the ones who have signed this page. An instrument does not fall from the sky. It is created from an idea. A man thought it, reflected upon it and created it. This reflection, this thought, this history must not be lost. An instrument represents a culture that must be learned. Thus, one respects the instrument and the culture from which it comes. The djembe is not a primitive instrument on which one beats in just any way. There is a history behind it, a tradition that is transmitted from generation to generation... It is played by very specific ethnic groups and individuals... It is played on special occasions... It has a specific importance within Mande society, an immutable symbolism... All the rhythms have names, a history transmitted from generation to generation, and it is necessary to know them. Alas, many djembe players around the world use the instrument only for personal enjoyment. We solemnly ask them here to respect the instrument and its culture, and to respect the traditional rhythms. Today there are thousands of djembe masters around the world. They call themselves masters but they are merely players, sometimes great players, but not masters. One doesnt bestow this title on oneself! Among the Mande people, one receives the title after having passed many tests of technique, of rhythm. A master must also have been initiated. This is very important. Without this step, no one can lay claim to this title. The djembe is not reserved only for tradition. It is a popular instrument that can harmonize with all other instruments. It is open to all. There are performances and then there is the tradition. One must not confuse them. They are completely different. Drum and dance troupes in Africa are based on tradition, but are all changing in order to entertain. It is necessary to keep this distinction in mind and to know which context we are referring to. Teachers, especially African teachers, should have the courage to tell their students that they dont always know the tradition, that they are sometimes from another ethnic group, that they, themselves, are creating the rhythms. Alas, the lie is often there for commercial reasons.. It is not necessary to betray tradition.. Otherwise, it will be lost, changed..and it is Africa, in the end, that will lose her soul... (Signed by) a.. Famoudou Konate b.. Soungalo Coulibaly c.. Doudou NDiaye Rose d.. Karinkadjan Konde e.. Fadouba Oulare f.. Adama Drame g.. Mamady Keita This is taken from Mamady Keitas official site. Continuing on, When I actually play Djembe )I play more than one drum so I have to divide my time= but when I was actually Learnign it, I played 1 to 2 hours a day, justery day of the week, this is the onyl real way you will progress in your drumming, also learning rythyms is fine, but you need someoen to teach you technique, otherwise again, you will never advance,. Finally, I will list the onyl teachers I think are worth taking lessons from. Ras Nikhilesh Nath Nayar Kesseke Yeo Russel Shumsky Me . I learned from all the above, and additionally from a Master Drummer named Dramane Kone, who you can find easily on youtube, and is really damn good. And I drove down to california and stayed 3 months just to learn from him, tell me again How these [teachers[ are passionate Djembe enthusiasts... But again, the time I put in is what helped me learn, nothing can replace that. also I listen to west african ryhtyms daily, to get inspiration. this is what a passionate person does, yes I am passionate about the instrument, and other drums. so when I see people taking advantage of culture for monetary gain, It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. if these so called teachers are such passionate djembe enthusasts. how come they cant play, or know anything about the culture, it is just a way for them to make money, very very sad to me. Putting in no time or effort, and yet say they are passionate...really. Anyways, if anyone wants to learn some Real Djembe , now you know. I am intested in finding people who actually want to Learn how to drum, send me a message if you are Passionate about Djembe. if you want to learn stuff like this. p.s. I never took lessons from Zuzu Ramia, but I should mention him as well, as I think he teaches and he knows Djembe. Same goes for Munkey but I dont think he teaches. https://youtube/watch?v=EH_fdU68UwY
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 06:55:28 +0000