Why: I introduced my pal Kate to Meetup dot com and she suggested Why Not..Love to Drum - djembe and percussion fun!
I thought, why not, let's get my rhythm up to scratch.
Where: North London Buddhist Centre
When: Sat 6 January 2012 - 5pm
Who: My pal Kate and myself
What happened:
We got there and the place was looked inviting, we buzzed the door and got welcomed by Stuart, the organiser. He was a very friendly chap, who welcomed us in for some tea. The buddhist centre was warm, cosy, and smelled amazing, very zen.
After helping ourselves to a variety of flavoured teas, we met a few of the other students.
They were a whole mix of folks all around the age of 25 to 40. Italian, spanish, australian, english, and so on and all keen to drum and learn.
We headed downstairs, and found chairs all laid out in a circle and drums set out ready for us and a selection of percussion instruments, some I had never seen before or knew how to play.
Stuart welcomed us, and since it was a beginners session, he showed us the correct positioning of the drum, and the different "hits"..base, tone and slap. We had to stretch and do a warm up, as supposedly drumming is a work out..We all said our names and then suddenly we were all shown a series of "hits", a bit like the game, simon says...and we had to repeat after him. And off we went.
A few of the group had been before, however, Stuart, made everyone feel like they were making progress, and gave more challenging "routines" to those who wanted them...and then you either tried them or stuck with what you felt comfortable.
It was very trance like, and almost meditative...and Kate and I found that we had to stare at one spot and relax and then we wouldn't miss a beat...though, every now and then, we listened to others play different rhythms and went off track...and we also tried to put one another off. Like naughty school kids. But, no one told us off, and we quickly rejoined the rhythm and the whole session was very relaxed.
We went though several "tunes"...and after 1 1/2hrs we were done and I felt like I wanted more...
What happened next:
There was a second session, for more advanced and improv session, so we stayed...and after another spiced tea, and some biscuits, we met some regulars of this group. Again, a mixed bunch and all keen to drum.
I was a bit nervous that I would just stick to the basics and I would show myself up...however, my confidence grew as Stuart encouraged us...and off we went.. The more talented bunch played a few leads over teh top of our layered beats and the sound was fantastic. We even used drumsticks in one hand whilst playing which was another skill to learn and kept it interesting....
I must say...3hrs..was a challenge, and my hands hurt a bit near the end, and probably eating dinner before would have helped...as I was shattered after the 2nd session. But I definitely enjoyed it and I am planning to go back.
Why Not Rating: 7/10
Suggestions: Go for one or other session..unless you have had dinner or have the stamina. Also mix in use of the percussion instruments on the floor as your hands, arms and back definitely notice this new work out that has been discovered through meetup and Kate.
I thought, why not, let's get my rhythm up to scratch.
Where: North London Buddhist Centre
When: Sat 6 January 2012 - 5pm
Who: My pal Kate and myself
What happened:
We got there and the place was looked inviting, we buzzed the door and got welcomed by Stuart, the organiser. He was a very friendly chap, who welcomed us in for some tea. The buddhist centre was warm, cosy, and smelled amazing, very zen.
After helping ourselves to a variety of flavoured teas, we met a few of the other students.
They were a whole mix of folks all around the age of 25 to 40. Italian, spanish, australian, english, and so on and all keen to drum and learn.
We headed downstairs, and found chairs all laid out in a circle and drums set out ready for us and a selection of percussion instruments, some I had never seen before or knew how to play.
Stuart welcomed us, and since it was a beginners session, he showed us the correct positioning of the drum, and the different "hits"..base, tone and slap. We had to stretch and do a warm up, as supposedly drumming is a work out..We all said our names and then suddenly we were all shown a series of "hits", a bit like the game, simon says...and we had to repeat after him. And off we went.
A few of the group had been before, however, Stuart, made everyone feel like they were making progress, and gave more challenging "routines" to those who wanted them...and then you either tried them or stuck with what you felt comfortable.
It was very trance like, and almost meditative...and Kate and I found that we had to stare at one spot and relax and then we wouldn't miss a beat...though, every now and then, we listened to others play different rhythms and went off track...and we also tried to put one another off. Like naughty school kids. But, no one told us off, and we quickly rejoined the rhythm and the whole session was very relaxed.
We went though several "tunes"...and after 1 1/2hrs we were done and I felt like I wanted more...
What happened next:
There was a second session, for more advanced and improv session, so we stayed...and after another spiced tea, and some biscuits, we met some regulars of this group. Again, a mixed bunch and all keen to drum.
I was a bit nervous that I would just stick to the basics and I would show myself up...however, my confidence grew as Stuart encouraged us...and off we went.. The more talented bunch played a few leads over teh top of our layered beats and the sound was fantastic. We even used drumsticks in one hand whilst playing which was another skill to learn and kept it interesting....
I must say...3hrs..was a challenge, and my hands hurt a bit near the end, and probably eating dinner before would have helped...as I was shattered after the 2nd session. But I definitely enjoyed it and I am planning to go back.
Why Not Rating: 7/10
Suggestions: Go for one or other session..unless you have had dinner or have the stamina. Also mix in use of the percussion instruments on the floor as your hands, arms and back definitely notice this new work out that has been discovered through meetup and Kate.
nice one, been there and I think you got the atmosphere of that meetup right :) come again sometimes
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