Click here to play a sample from African Drumming Club

Learning objectives and outcomes

To understand how to care for the instruments and its main characteristics/sounds.

To understand the history and the background of each of the instruments involved as well as the main characteristics of African music in general. To understand the importance of each instrument in a drum ensemble by performing each of these in an ensemble.

To understand the importance of polyrhythm through interlocking different parts in a group.

To understand the importance of call & response in African music.

Drum fact:

Did you know that since we spend 9 months of our lives 6 inches away from our mother’s beating heart is why the beat of the drum is so inherent in all of us.

To understand improvisation, repetition and different musical variations/structures through performing these as a whole drum ensemble. To learn most important musical keywords, i.e: Polyrhythm, Dynamics, Rumble, Djembe, Djum-Djum, Call & Response, Structure, Timbre, a go-go, Improvisation, Interlude , Structure and others.

Our sessions:

Pupils are seated into a semi circle shape of African Djembe drums and hand held percussion.

Session usually begins with humorous rhythms and body percussion games as warm up.

Djembes are originally from West Africa. They are easy to play and its sound resembles African culture.

Pupils learn to rumble, play call-and-response patterns as well as interlocking rhythms. This will increase their musical awareness and help to develop ensemble skills in order to achieve these.

Pupils will also learn body percussion coordination and routines to perform as a whole group.

Sessions usually end with a high-energy 'yebo' (Zulu) celebration in a big performance encapsulating all lesson aims on the day.

Session can be run either during school time or after school.

Emotional intelligence and creative thinking: It helps improve children's ability to reason abstractly.Concentration and listening skills: Pupils are encouraged to follow actions through performing various rhythmical structures which develop listening skills, attention and concentration. Communication skills and speech: Performing simple musical patterns teaches a child how language is constructed. Cross curricula activities: Pupils are taught historical and geographical aspect of each style they learn. Also drumming helps children to learn maths. When children learn rhythm and music bar divisions, they are learning ratios, fractions and proportions. Self-expression and self confidence: As a non-verbal language, it conveys a complexity of emotions, and offers a means of expression to a shy or diffident child who finds it hard to communicate through speech. Team spirit and social skills: Pupils socialise and interact with each other in a perfect and organic way. It helps them develop higher levels of social cohesion and understanding of themselves and others. Pupils are encouraged by positive responses to collect and return their instruments; taking turns and listening to other people perform.