drum your heart out!
monday evenings, 8-9:30pm, £6 (term times)
monthly saturdays, 9:45 for 10 am start-4pm, £27
april 13th, may 11th, june 22nd, break for summer, sept 14th, oct 12, nov 9th, dec 7th
dartington primary school hall, dartington, totnes, devon, TQ9 6JU
Our regular drumming group for adults. Lighthearted, supportive, exciting, challenging, and fun. We combine teaching, playing, reflection, and drumcircle facilitation techniques. Beginners and experienced players play together, supporting and encouraging each other, the whole group benefiting from each others contribution.
Who is the group for?
The days and evenings are for adults (though if appropriate, keen under 18 year olds may be welcomed) who are keen to drum, and whether or not they have ever touched a drum before, or whether or not they have any musical background or understanding, or whether they have been playing for a while.
What do we do?
The majority of rhythms that we work with come from the 'drumbreaks' system, designed many years ago by Peter. This system consists of 7 universal multi-layered rhythms which provide a very useful foundation for the westener, on which to build. And central to the whole day or evening is the focus of being able to play together, in time, rather than just focusing on learning complicated rhythms. We will often work on several layers of 1-3 rhythms during the day, or 1-2 rhythms during an evening, depending on what is appropriate for everyone present, and often some soloing skills, technique improvement... what ever is appropriate to create empowered drummers.
What do the days consist of?
Each day varies depending on who is there, and what each person is wanting from the day. We begin with a loose plan, as below, which is continually adjusted as the day progresses
9:45-10:00 arrival, in time for cups of tea and people greeting each other
10:00 typically we begin with a 'drumcall', an opportunity to literally just play together, explore the instrument if you are new to it, settle in, relax, listen to each other... we then spend a little time 'checking in' with each other, and then settle in to some serious drumming!
11:15-11:30 we aim at a break! tea, chatting, questions, and allowing the information we have taken in to work away subconsciously whilst we are not paying attention - it usually works best that way.
11:30 more serious drumming
12:45-1:30/1:45 shared lunch
1:30/1:45-2:45 often a technique session, and time for any more questions, followed by some more serious drumming
2:45-3:00 break
3:00-3:45 serious drumming
3:45-4:00 completion
Does the group perform?
We have a group of drummers within the group who have just begun to perform, and are doing brilliantly! This is optional, and participants are under no pressure to perform.
What should i bring?
Please bring a sense of humour. And if you have a drum, bring that too, and if you don't, do just let felicity know, and she will make sure there is one reserved for you (with no charge). Some people also like to bring a pen and paper to take notes, or a personal recording device... some people prefer to just allow the whole session to just gently and naturally absorb, delighting in the knowledge that studying is not necessary!
And if you are attending a day, please also bring lunch to share
Where do i park?
Dartington primary school hall has plenty of parking, in the meadowbrook carpark opposite the dartington ciderpress centre main entrance. As you turn off the roundabout and drive into the carpark, the pedestrian access to the school is up the slope on the right... bring some change for the days, 30p an hour until 6pm.
Is there anything else i should know?
You are really welcome. And if there is anything else you are wondering about, you are very welcome to just give felicity a call, or drop her an email, and have a chat about it all. We look forward to welcoming you...
