Northampton, Ma. Drumming Classes

 

Beginner / Intermediate Level Class  



When:                                 

  1. -Wednesday Evenings  7:00 - 8:00pm (though the class may sometimes end closer to 8:30)

  2. -Next session starts on:  March 20, 2024 (The Current Session is Closed)

  3.                    ***(This class WILL fill up! Register now to save your spot!) ***

Where: 

- 11 Bright St. Northampton, MA 01060

(Sorry, but this space is not fully handicap accessible: stairs only / no elevator.)


Cost:

  1. -Only $27 per class when you pre-pay for the full 10-week session ($270).

  2. -  (By special arrangement only, the pay-per-class cost will be $35).


Drums:  Each student needs to have a drum!  A jembe is best, (as that is the drum for which the music I teach was "written"), but you could also use an ashiko or a conga drum. I provide the dununba, sangban, and kenkeni drums, as well as bells.  Click here to learn how to pick a good drum.


(a limited number of rentals may be available on a first-come-first-served basis)


About My Drumming Classes: 

My classes offer an intimate and social experience of an ancient and highly developed communal art-form unique to the cultures of West Africa. Playing the intricately meshing polyrhythms, for which this music has become so universally appreciated, promotes physical and mental coordination and focus. It aids in harmonizing the functions of the two hemispheres of the brain, and advances spacial and temporal acuity - ones ability to conceptualize time, space and matter in three dimensions. Scientific tests have shown that drumming even increases ones white blood cell count, ...but I digress!


Classes run for 10 weeks, meeting once per week. I teach all of the various parts of a traditional orchestral rhythm structure from Guinea, Mali, or Senegal, West Africa, including the song that accompanies the rhythm. The average "rhythm structure" from this tradition contains at least 9 parts played on jembes, dununba, sangban, kenkeni (names of different drums), and bells simultaneously!!   When all of these parts (and the people playing them!) "sync up" and flow together, it really is truly magical! What a feeling!!


This music, like all rich percussion traditions, is about melody just as much as it is about rhythm. Hence, there is great emphasis placed on learning the proper hand techniques that will allow students to make the various sounds with which the drums speak - essentially, the vowels and consonants of drum language. Proper technique also allows us to play as long as we want, without bruised or otherwise injured hands!


Each week we build on and refine the previously reviewed material and learn new parts. Once we have a solid and musical foundation, I teach some techniques for improvising and we all have some fun with soloing!


I strongly encourage students to commit to the whole 10 week series. This allows for a cohesive ensemble and not too much back-stepping, making possible a much deeper exploration of the music.


Testimonials:


" I had been studying West African Drumming for years before I took a class with John Hughes.   Wow!  What a difference!  It was like all the missing pieces suddenly got filled in!  John is Awesome!"

    -Yolanda Green, Non Profit Organization Director.


"John is an an extremely patient and skilled instructor. His manner is, at once, playful and meticulous. He really knows how to put students at ease, often using humor to make his points."

    -Colby Brenin, College Student


"John is an excellent teacher. He breaks the parts down so you can learn them easily and, most importantly, he makes it fun!  It is also great to learn to play in a group and interact with others through the music."

    -Maria Forte, Artist and Teacher.


"Taking a class with John is intense and invigorating! There is a preciseness within the sessions which compels my mind and hands to go to a higher level of consciousness - a unique challenge to say the least!"

    -Elizabeth Bjerke, Sign Language Interpreter.


"John brings a profound respect for the tradition, and a willingness to work with the class to bring out the precision that makes it all come together.  He teaches about the cultural context in which the rhythm was traditionally played and often teaches the accompanying songs and dances!  Through John, I have learned that drumming is more than just hands touching the drum - it is a classical art form with profound connections to dance, singing, ritual, rites of passage... to the essence of life itself!"

    -Dan Bartlett, Architect.

(Excerpted from the “Drumming Classes” page of this website.  Click Here to be redirected.)

Levels: 


Beginner  -  No experience necessary!  More advanced students are welcome to join and are sure to be challenged  (I will introduce more difficult parts for those who are ready for them!).  I provide simple, nonwestern musical notation of all the rhythms as memory and practice aids.


Intermediate  -   You must me able to demonstrate basic proficiency on the Jembe as well as Dununs and their associated bells.  In short, you must be able to “keep up” with students who have been in formal studies with me for at least 8 weeks.   Feel free to call me with any questions about which class will be the best fit!


Advanced -   My advanced students have been studying with me continuously for up to 25 years!  They are not professional level players, but they  they can quickly pick up very complex parts and sequences.  To join this class you must be able to “keep up” with students who have been in formal studies with me for many years!

“I look forward to making music with you!”

Call:    (802) 380-5683

Email:  johnhughesarts@mac.com

Space is limited!

Contact John Today

to reserve your spot!

Click here for REGISTRATION details.

Click here to register!

*Complete beginners welcome!  No experience required*