This is our favorite “technique” tool, and a beautiful song. Here are a couple different ways of seeing it, so “hearing” it will be easier…
For the written version, “Gun” [goon] = Bass, “go & do” = tone, and “pa & ta” = slaps. Play, play play!
Come as you are. Listen. Play what fits. Play with others as often as it fits in to your life. Improve with practice. Play to your ability. Be what you want to be in a group of people playing music. Of COURSE you’re good enough! Learn some common patterns to provide structure and improvise you ass off!
We did that very thing for a drum buddy’s company barbeque Thursday morning. This is what Baba’s Warm-up looked like played within that flexible framework:
This is a band of students. All of us. We have jobs and kids and grandkids and lives that do not revolve around intense study. We are playing. P L A Y I N G. We are not a performance troupe. We’re pretty much a bunch of ordinary citizens that get together each week, learn, share and play. None of us have the irrational sense of humor [or time or money] to quit our lives to become Rich And Famous Drummers [hahahaha!] So we just play comfortably and casually together. Sometimes we play in class. Sometimes we play with a few scattered observers. Sometimes we play in front of 300 people.
I used to get so nervous when I was going to perform. It was early in my drumming when I studied and studied and worked to get it right. I played with very talented drummers and we played ‘traditional’ Guinea music rather well. When I took a leave from study and moved myself into application, it eased up for me. I prepare myself and my crew for a performance. We work it. We make arrangements of songs we’ve practiced and many of those songs are from the Guinea tradition with which those of us in the room are most familiar. But when it comes time to ‘go out there’, we remind each other of how much pleasure we get playing music together. We enjoy each other’s company. We trust each other enough to be able to express our own voice in our own time. The drum was the common introduction, but the friendships developed have a deeper resonance….
I really want to thank the people who came and played with the most zest I have ever heard! I’d be proud to take you guys anywhere! Our ensemble today was Pam Lane, Erik & Cheryl Carruth, Don ‘the Don’ Silva, Candace Garmon and Luis Cubero. And the guests were blown away [yeah, yeah] by our remarkable didgeridoo playing friend Barry Sherman. Thank you URS for inviting us back to play.
Build up your chops with Baba's Warmup!
(Click here for right-handed version)
A great thing to add to your practice routine is a warmup exercise. In Boise we use a popular version of Baba’s Warmup. You can find copies of this routine on the internet or you can download our Graphics version. We’ve included right-hand and left-hand versions in a PDF file. The idea is to play it through once with your strong hand then play it again with your other hand. You can even play it a third time alternating both hands. Play each line 4 times then move on to the next line and keep going until you get to the end. The PDF file is a FREE download and we don’t have a problem with you sharing this file with your drumming buddies. If you practice Baba’s warmup with friends try to make it sound like one drum by listening to others and playing tight. This is a lot of fun and will help build up your chops. Follow up this exercise with the rest of your practice routine everytime and before you know it you’ll be able to play it without a rhythm sheet. If you teach drumming try starting every class with Baba’s Warmup.
If you like this graphics format check out the other FREE samples available on our website. If you want more order a copy of our DRUMMIN’ BUDDIES Hand Charts Book. If you have any trouble try singing the patterns before playing them. If you’re still struggling check out our Animated Rhythms DVD (there’s even a FREE sample video file you can download). If you have any concerns, feedback or questions remember we’d love to hear from you via our contact form.
Drum On!
Failla Drums
Drum Practice Tip #1
Drum Practice Tip #3
Drum Practice Tip #4
