MusiCamp is hosting a free hands-on drumming workshop at the Dundas West Festival this Saturday, June 6 2015. Taught by AnnA Melnikoff, one of Canada’s foremost experts in the Mande drumming tradition, a tradition which predates the division of West Africa into the current political regions and arguably represents the roots of African American music, including the Blues, Rock & Roll, R&B, Mowtown, Funk, Soul, and many forms of pop music!

The video to your left is from MusiCamp’s West African Drumming week in 2013. (Note: If you want to hear the groovy bass you’ll have to wear headphones.)

Mande drumming is based on three stand-up drums called the dunun that play three interlocking rhythms often thought of as the melody. The djembes play accompanying patterns on top of this and are also used for soloing. To learn more about the Mande drumming tradition follow this link or if you are interested in our West African Drumming summer camp click here.
 
In this workshop kids will:

• learn the difference between 3 basic slaps (slap, tone & bass) on the djembe
• have a chance to practice these on the drum with a fun etude that develops these rudiments
• have a chance to play the dunun
• learn a basic accompaniment pattern
• have a chance to solo

Location:
St Helens Church, 1680 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, on the North-West corner of Dundas St W and St Clarens Ave

Kids who are really interested can join us on stage for the performance at 1pm!