West African Drums

In West Africa, music accompanies important life events, like marriage, childbirth, working and hunting. It has a very close relationship both with dance and with the tones and rhythmic patterns of the local language. The music is built from varied timbre playing interlocking rhythmic parts to form a polyrhythmic whole, often led by a master drummer using call and response patterns.

Workshops

Half day and full day sessions, Fridays only
Using authentic handmade instruments and genuine African rhythms, pupils learn to play, in ensemble, the pulsing grooves and layered textures that are West African drumming, using Djembe, Kpanlogo, Bougourabou and Doundoun drums, as well as shakers, bells and tuned Balafon.

Having mastered the technique and characteristic rhythms, pupils learn to create their own.