Two miraculous things happened when we played today: We play outside a bookstore in town every Saturday, offering drums, rhythm toys and play time to families passing by on their way to Market. We invite everyone. Today, an older man walking by was invited to play, and, like many adults, said, “I can’t.” But like me many years ago, he hesitated….
“Give it a try. Will you clap your hands together?” I began clapping to the beat my pal Luis was keeping underneath the rest of the song. He joined me. “That’s it! That’s all this song needs!” I pulled up the chair sitting empty before an eager drum. He began to play. He began to play…… He played with us the rest of the hour, and when I indicated it was his turn to ‘play louder than everyone else for a moment’ [my gentle invitation to do a solo] he began to play.
The next hour was class. We had three new people join our little circle this morning. A beautiful new drummer and a retired couple who had somehow gotten enchanted by what we were doing the week before. I listen with all the love I have in my heart to people tell me their trouble with drumming, and rhythm in general. The gentleman was older than I and I am older than I have ever been in my life…. maybe he has been here for 60 years. It was clear to me that for a good number of those years, he believed he had no rhythm. Who told him that? How long ago? How long has he believed that? How do you compassionately tell someone they have been lied to most of their life?
From my sister, Ruti Mizrachi: ”When we were stationed in Germany, an opera singer gave us a clinic on song. She said that everyone can sing — it’s just that we believe the tape we play in our heads from our childhoods: “You can’t carry a tune in a bucket!” Like that. She said she would prove it. “Who is the ‘tone deaf’ person in the room?” she asked. Everybody, including Bob, pointed to Bob. “C’mere, Bob,” she said. “I’m going to hum in your ear, and I want you to sing out of your mouth what you hear.” She did — and Bob did — and what came out of his mouth amazed all of us — most of all, Bob. It was beautiful! “Stop believing the tape. Everyone was given the gift of song by God.”
He played beautifully. He kept the foundation alive while some of my more experienced players reviewed a series of patterns we were working on. He played so we could play. He was the heartbeat of the song we were bringing to life. No pulse, no life…. In spite of what he was told to believe, he began to play….
You have rhythm. I promise. Put your hand on you chest; a little to the left. Then be still for a minute. Listen. Be still….
Before you play a drum or a shaker or sticks, be still for a minute. Listen. Before you say you can’t, be still for a minute. Listen. Do you believe that or did someone tell you to believe that? Before you answer, put your hand on you chest; a little to the left. Then be still for a minute. Listen.
Lefties click here
When practicing or playing on your djembe drum, don’t forget to use breaks. This is sound advice whether you’re practicing alone or with others. And if you’re performing it’s even more important. It tells everyone when your rhythm starts and when it ends. There’s nothing like starting and stopping on time. That is part of the magic of good percussion. It helps tremendously with timing!
If you’re not using breaks now then give it a try. Once again, you can google for information on breaks or you can use the ones we’ve supplied on this page. Just click on one of the images and when the larger image is displayed right-click and do a Save As… If you’re left-handed click on the link above the images to see the left-handed version of this post.
We use breaks all the time at Failla Drums. We use them during classes before playing rhythms together; we even use them before our warm up exercise (Baba’s Warm Up). And when we perform in public events we use them to let everyone else drumming know when to start and when to end. And often when Failla Drums is performing so is the audience who may be playing along with drums, sticks, bells or just clapping their hands. It’s sounds more professional. Without breaks there tends to be clatter at the end of songs. With breaks it’s crisp and clean endings. So play them loud so everyone can hear.
By the way, these breaks work great for rhythms in 4/4 time signatures. For 6/8 rhythms we use different ones, but we’ll cover that in another post. If you can’t wait try googling for more info. If you like our graphic format for djembe rhythms don’t forget to check out our Hand Charts, Graphic Rhythm Sheets, and Animated Rhythms DVD. They’re reasonably priced and free samples are available.
Go Go Do Do Do Go Pa Pa
Failla Drums
Drum Practice Tip #1
Drum Practice Tip #2
Drum Practice Tip #3
