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These are ongoing
classes in a 6 week cycle offered 4 times a year.
You will learn how to learn drumming in a beautiful setting
with great people in a way that is challenging and lots of
fun. We cover drumming and percussion technique, the world's
within clave, rhythmic language & sensibility, playing
for dancers, how to jam, how to lead, how to arrange, songs
& breaks, stories & folklore. We employ rhythms from
throughout the African Diaspora such as Shiko, Nyaka, Zebola,
Kpanlogo, Palo, Yanvalou, & Afoxe.
Together,
we create just the right environment for each different
rhythm to reveal its own charm and mystery. My aim is to help
you fall in love with the drum and acquire the sets of skills
that allow you to create music with others. I seek to elicit
a visceral appreciation for the artistry and wisdom of the
cultures of Africa. And I provide the rhythmic capabilities
and the information resources should a drummer be drawn to
learn more of a specific style of music. I’m very happy
that a number of my students have been deeply touched by the
drum and have even traveled to Africa and the Caribbean to
study drum, marimba and mbira music at its origins.
Click here for current schedule.
Whether your
goal is to cultivate your musical potential, to heal
your body & soul, or to simply join in a community committed
to creativity & fun, the Generative Rhythm Class is for
you. Don has joined his passion for African-style drumming
& his love for the power that music has to transform lives
and create community into a program that incorporates elements
of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), models from traditional
rhythmic cultures and the modern American drum circle movement.
This experiential
learning in generative rhythm includes activities
in drum and percussion technique, rhythmic games, guided visualization
and improvisational drum music in an environment that is safe,
supportive, fun and charged with the excitement of vital communion
with wonderful people.
All levels
of musical experience are welcome and all instruments are
provided.
"Drumming is a beautiful thing and
this brought our group together in a way that transcends words."
-- Mike Siegal, UCSC student
"Awesome! So incredible! It was very
engaging, fun and I learned a lot! Don is extremely talented
both as a musician and a teacher."
-- UCSC Student
"Don is such a great teacher.
I felt comfortable despite an incredible fear of playing drums.
I learned a lot and enjoyed every class. He provided us with
visual displays of music which really helped me. He pushed
us to be creative and self confident"
-Heather Brady, UCSC Student
"I came into this class thinking I had no rhythm whatsoever
and I am leaving with beats running through my head in everything
I do. I am hooked. Don was an amazing instructor; patient,
helpful and insightful. I couldn't ask for more."
-UCSC Student
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