Ever since college I have been itching to learn the West African djembe drum. No campfire, lounge on the academic mall, or college-style hymn sing was complete without a guitar and a djembe. And since guitar turned out to be harder than I planned, I yearned for the djembe all the more. I could have just bought one and been done with it, but I knew that without knowing how to play it, it would sit unused.
Soon after moving to Chicago I discovered one of my all-time favorite things in the city: The Old Town School of Folk Music. (Some of you might remember the belly dancing and vocal jazz..) Sure enough, they offer djembe classes for adults! I finally signed up in 2008 after quitting Language Stars, but ended up cancelling my reservation for lack of finances. This summer came around, however, and the djembe called.
My first class was last week. I am renting a drum from the school for the duration of the class, and when I went to pick it up, I couldn't keep the smile off my face I was so excited! I could just see myself swaggering around town toting this mystical drum, bringing it along to parties and picnics to add to everyone's entertainment.. The guy put the beautiful drum in its case and handed it over to me... And I staggered under its weight!! I had no idea these drums were so heavy!
On my way down the narrow staircase to my classroom with the giant drum slung over my shoulder, I should have had a sign on my chest that said WIDE LOAD. Every time I turned a corner I knocked the thing into the wall. Thank goodness I didn't have far to go. And so much for my vision of my bada** self carrying a drum. For a visual, click here. Then, of course, once I actually get the thing up onto my shoulders, it hits me in the back of the thighs and lolls awkwardly from side to side. Maybe it just takes practice.
Once inside the classroom, however, things improved. There are 7 people in my class with varying levels of experience, and we get to drum together for an hour and 20 minutes. Music therapy research has shown that steadily drumming a variety of rhythms can lower blood pressure, increase the level of oxygen in the blood, and regulate breathing and heart beat. Sign me up!
More stories to come. For now, I'm enjoying my lovely djembe and wondering if my playing is annoying to my downstairs neighbors (who are also my landlords). I hope they tell me before they evict me.
3 comments:
this drum Its name in Arabic tapla
The drums of the oldest machines clicking in musical instruments
tells that Huang de predecessor is the first of the Chinese nation, who invented the drums
Before the Year 4600 was the leader of the clans in the plains of central China's Huang de fights clan leader East Yu Chi. In order to boost the morale of its soldiers drum-making large could be issued loud if knocked. And beyond, it has become the drum closely linked to the lives of the Chinese people
Strange. I'm pretty sure it's West African.
Cant wait to hear it!!
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