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Welcome to Djembe Source, thanks for stopping by, I am Liz Broscoe, AKA Drumchik.
As a drummer, my career has entailed playing drum set and singing with many bands
(rock, funk, blues, etc.) in all kinds of venues. About 17 years ago I had an experience
with drumming that completely changed my life. I was invited to play a conga drum in an
Afro-Cuban dance class. I had never played a drum with my hands and never before had
I experienced the power and energy of this kind of total interaction with drumming and
dancing. The room was on fire! I knew right then that I wanted this kind of energy and
powerful connection to the drum in my life. I began to study conga and later discovered
the West African djembe drum through workshops and classes held by master drummers
from Africa here in the US. Eventually I began teaching djembe to others at Lake Tahoe
Community College in South Lake Tahoe CA and over the years my classes have
expanded to Minden and Markleeville CA and Carson City and Reno NV. I teach conga,
djembe, dunnun and drum set, yet it’s the West African djembe that has inspired myself
and my students the most.
Djembe Source has been created as extension of my web site and business Drumchik
Productions,
www.drumchik.com Both locations can provide you with a source of
information pertaining to the West African djembe drum including classes, educational
outreach programs, performances, CD’s and my most recent creation “Djembe 101”, an
instructional djembe book, DVD and 78 track play along CD.
“Djembe 101” was created over a period of years while I consistently taught several
djembe classes a week. Having this consistency enabled me to test and experiment with different approaches to teaching the djembe. This gave me a better understanding when it
came time to create fun, practical exercises that directly related to the rhythmic
challenges occurring in West African rhythms and solo phrases. I believe “Djembe 101”
provides all the basic tools necessary for becoming a better djembe player while enjoying
the process, and in addition creates a bridge connecting the master drummers from Africa
to your average person wanting to play and understand the djembe drum.
To purchase the book go to:
Drumskull Drums
Testimonials:
Tom Roady....(Premier Nashville studio percussionist and touring artist, said this about “Djembe 101”.
)
www.tomroady.com
“Awesome!!! Absolutely great package for starting djembe players. A book, DVD and
CD that is really exceptional. I love the way the exercises and rudiments alternate left and
right - paradiddles, flam taps and accents. I am going to make time to practice along with
you, I can use some “time” on the djembe for sure. I particularly liked the way you
handled the feel aspects, “pulse”, and the play along section is also well done, short and
to the point”.
“Liz, Fantastic! You are playing your ass off on the bonus tracks! I’m proud of you girl,
you have found your calling and passion…the way you are giving to students present,
past and future is a real inspiration“.
Dean Rossi....(Drummer and student)
“Finally someone did it! Liz has created the best system for learning the djembe I’ve seen
in my 30 years as a professional drummer and instructor. “Djembe 101” is the "missing
link" we’ve all been waiting for -- a way to prepare yourself to enjoy the world of African
rhythms available to you from the masters. It’s organized, well thought-out, and
comprehensive -- best of all it makes practicing by yourself fun and easy. The CD and
DVD are top quality and Liz does a great job demonstrating techniques and exercises. I
truly believe “Djembe 101” is the real deal and destined to become the standard of all
Djembe books -- a must have for anyone who wants to learn how to play this drum“.
“Djembe 101” presents 5 complete lessons:
- Lesson One - Basics:
Getting the fundamental sounds ( bass, open tone and slap ) and learning the language of Gun, Dun, go, doe, Pa, Ta
- Lesson Two - Rudiments:
Getting your hands to flow better on the drum
- Lesson Three - Timing:
Downbeat, subdivisions, syncopation, moving 16th notes and the “foot thing”
- Lesson Four - Understanding Music Notation:
Music notation and time meters 4/4 and 12/8 and sticking
- Lesson Five - Play Along Exercises:
Fun exercises to play along with audio CD rhythm tracks
- All exercises presented in the book are written in a simple, easy to understand notation
- All exercises are demonstrated by Liz on the DVD
- The play along CD allows you to have fun playing all the exercises over supporting
dunnun rhythm tracks at slow, medium and fast tempo’s. This is a great tool for
developing your timing and feel on the djembe
Go to my videos to preview “Djembe 101”, and a few other videos showcasing and
including clips from “Durga, goddess of the drum”, educational programs, and drum and dance
troupe “Java Djembe”
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