Introducing
World Drumming
A Group Course for Beginners
‘Great classes and even better teacher – very knowledgeable and gives attention to everyone in the group.’
– M. Baca
‘I had been looking for a course like this and am so glad I found it. Exceeded my expectations.’
– E. Donohue
Course Description
Every culture on the planet has some form of drumming, and Waltons New School of Music’s Introducing World Drumming course is a practical, hands-on introduction and exploration of all manner of ‘membranophone’ instruments, or hand drums. Designed for absolute beginners, the course combines three essential elements to give participants a solid grounding in hand percussion from different traditions:
- Learning how to play various world percussion instruments, including djembes, congas and bongos.
- Exploring the commonalities and differences of African and Latin American drumming and rhythms.
- Illustrating their applications in contemporary music.
The course begins with the rhythms of the djembe, an instrument developed and played in the 12th century by an ethnic group called the Mandinke people in the Wassalon region, an area between Mali and upper Guinea. The djembe is usually played in groups, consisting of other djembes, two or three bass drums (called dunun, dun dun or djun djun) and other percussion such as shakers and bells. Djembes are the instrument of dance for social occasions such as births, funerals, marriages, rites of passage and the planting and harvesting of crops, all of which have their own songs, dances and rhythms.
We will go on to explore other African and Latin American instruments and rhythms, learn various hand drumming techniques and improve our rhythmic vocabulary through a combination of technical instruction, improvisation and ensemble skills, traditional ‘call and response’ aural learning and different phonetic systems.
All instruments are provided for use in the course, although it will be useful to have a hand percussion instrument (djembe, bongos, etc.) in order to practice the rhythms and techniques at home.
Safety and COVID-19 Information
The health and safety of both students and staff at the New School is of the utmost importance to us, and we have made a number of changes to the school, its equipment and our policies to make in-school tuition safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include:
- Perspex screens in every classroom.
- Installation of HEPA air filtration/purification units where necessary.
- Antiseptic dispensers available throughout the school.
- Cleaning and disinfection of both classroom instruments and furniture between lessons and classes.
- Regular cleaning of public spaces.
See our COVID-19 Safety Policy page for more information on what we have done, as well as the protocols we expect all in-school students and visitors to follow.
This course covers Stage 1 of the New School’s ten-stage system of student progress and assessment, which culminates in a teaching or performing qualification (Stage 10) should the student progress that far. Participants who successfully complete the course can be issued with a certificate of completion of Stage 1. If you are taking the course, please let the school office know if you would like this certificate. See About Our Stage System for more information.
Have you enrolled in this course?
Download our Introductory Handout
for tips on how to get the most from it.
Introducing World Drumming is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private lessons in several hand percussion instruments, as well as drum kit, for students of all ages and skill levels. See Drums • Percussion Tuition for more information.
Techniques Covered
A video demonstration of some techniques covered in the course:
Brian Lynch
Brian received his BA degree from the National College of Art and Design and was first introduced to hand drumming while at college. Since then he has made numerous visits to West Africa to study drumming and its historical and cultural contexts, and he has had the pleasure and good fortune to live and study with a number of world-renowned musicians, including Famadou Konate, Sekou Keitá, Mamady Keitá, Nansady Keitá, Amara Kante and Mansa Camio. Brian is an active percussionist, and his extensive knowledge and experience has allowed him to play professionally with many different groups and projects – including Manden Express, Wassa Wassa, Komá and Foliba – at festivals and venues throughout Ireland and other European countries. As a teacher, Brian has worked with both children and adults at all skill levels. He has a particular interest in special needs teaching and has obtained additional qualifications in healthcare support and special needs education. He also both makes and repairs a range of hand percussion instruments.
‘Teaching teaches the teacher. And it never ceases to surprise me how much I can learn as a musician when I invest time into someone’s else’s gift or passion. If you can empower others through what you love, you’re on the right road.’
Reviews • Testimonials
‘An incredible player and inspiring teacher!’
– A. Dermody
‘A very positive experience and great teaching.’
– K. Goldbeck
‘Great atmosphere, and the classes were taught clearly and with enthusiasm. Brian is a great teacher, very patient and professional.’
– M. Iaia
‘Really enjoyed the course and learned so much.’
– S. O’Reilly
‘Loved every minute.’
– O. Seagrave
Have you taken – or are you taking – this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.
2023-2024 Third Term
Course Schedule & Fee
Not offered in our Third Term.
Please contact us (providing your name) if you would like to be notified when our next course schedule and fee are confirmed and we start accepting enrolments.
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the tuition fee. Places are limited to eight and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
What happens after the course?
Two weeks before the end of each Introducing course, participants will be given options for continuing their tuition with the New School if they would like to do so. Although an ‘improvers’ or continuation course cannot be scheduled on the same day/time as the Introducing course, one can be arranged if enough course participants would like to continue and the teacher has timetable availability or there is timetable availability with another teacher. Participants can also continue their tuition with private (one-to-one) lessons or ‘partner’ lessons with another class member. (See Tuition Options – Private • Partner • Small Group Lessons.) We are happy to discuss these options with you.
