Team Spirit

a form of meditation

Djembe is a definite method to meditation. Your Chi, your energy, djembe allows you to connect to what is around you. Growing up, I had many issues. I have really become aware of my inner self since drumming. Self acceptance, finding beauty in everyone, this is just a part of it.

There are three main areas of drumming that you need to know and anyone can drum, even if you think you don't have rhythm, trust me, that rhythm is inside of you!
- the Tone, the Base and the Slap are the three main instances of drumming. Base in the middle of the drum with your right hand if you are right handed. Tone and slap on the edge of the drum.

Tone is high pitched. The base is a deep sound. The slap is the most difficult, I haven't got it yet! It is a short sharp and very loud tone. You hit the edge of the drum hard. This is going to take some time and you will not learn this over night but you can try and practice.

The beauty of these three tones is that you can mix them up to make a great rhythm. Many different sounds come from three tones.

For example: Djembe rhythm is 1 base - 4 tone - 1 base - 5 tone repeatedly.

When repeating same stroke/sequence, you eventually start working both parts of your brain and this regular exercise is a great way to meditate. You will not notice it but your brain will be in alpha state. Alpha state as I have said before is when your whole self is completely relaxed. I know I need relaxation.

There are many helpful websites and videos on utube that you can watch in order to learn the basic rhythms. Develop a relationship with your drum. Play it regularly to know where the best tone, base and slap is on your drum. Have it tuned every now and then. Most importantly Enjoy it, smile. It's not serious, it's beautiful!

Enjoy
x
Davida

A Deeper Meaning

I went drumming yesterday and half way through the drumming for the very first time, I walked out quite upset. I wasn't upset because of the drumming, I was upset about this blog. I haven't fully focused on Djembe and how it is to me personally. I don't represent Ala, I try to market him freely because I believe in is teaching capabilities and I believe in Djembe. The thing is, I haven't let you know what Djembe has done for me. I don't like spiritual things but a lot of these things have been happening to me, I believe it is because I have become more aware of my surroundings thanks to being in Alpha State.

Time to really dig deep don't you think!

I'm not all knowledgeable, I don't know anyone in the group so when I speak now, I don't really speak on behalf of anyone except myself. Maybe they will agree with me, maybe they won't but this is Me, not them. This blog is my blog and it's about me and djembe. It's a personal thing for me! I have to stress that I am not Ala's manager or his sales person, just in case any of you think that. I want you to experience his drum circle because it's benefited me and my life so much! So let's begin...

Djembe master in my point of view is getting back into your natural flow of rhythm. Today we have cell phones and those invisible waves that screw up our natural rhythm. Today we have microwaves, that also screws up our natural rhythm. Technology has made us stressed, wired, tired and emotional. We need to get back to our roots and who we are as people because all in all, I know I have lost myself in work, priorities and chores. I know I need to reestablish who I am as a person and allow myself the freedom to be me. I need the freedom to relax and love people. What Djembe does is it brings you back to your rhythm and makes you more aware of what is around you. You become a master of your own life. The spirit allows you to heal. Each beat is a beat from the heart and in that is a healing unexplainable!

I am deaf in my right ear. I never accepted myself as a person. I never truly embraced who I was until recently. I never embraced my full name which is Davida. For years I have called myself Dee but now I know the importance of the name I have been given and I am aware of my place in this world. I don't know if all the credit goes to djembe but I have never seen so much improvement in myself as a person. I still have lot to learn but there is definitely something about djembe that has helped me. 

First of all I realize that I run away easily from problems, issues, hurts, pain, anger but these days I embrace every single issue in my life and I know there is nothing that is random. Since djembe, I have been called many weird things, some have said I'm psychic (no I'm not, I follow my gut, my inner voice always). I have also had many weird encounters where a stranger came up to me and asked, "what is wealth?" and i replied, "you are already wealthy" and he walked off smiling leaving me really puzzled. Yet a week later, I experienced major burn out because I am in the corporate world and I was working so hard for money when all the wealth was right in front of me! Money is not wealth! It's something I have to continually remember. So for me, Djembe has become somewhat of a spiritual journey, a journey of self discovery, learning where I am weak, embracing who I am, as I am and learning to love unconditionally!  We are all masters of our own lives. We should all respect eachothers cultures, beliefs and emotions. We are one. One drummer and to me, that is what it is about. The sooner we make other people the primary focus of our lives, everything falls into place. As soon as we shut out the outer noise and make our own noise, life begins! Don't listen to outer voices, make your rhythm known and believe in who you are as a person. I don't worship my drum but I do worship my maker and in that, I worship how He sees people and life. I don't see the world through my eyes but I am open to the plans that this universe has for me. I know without a doubt in my heart that me falling in love with djembe drumming was not a random accident, it is my instrument. My love for music isn't random, it is my soul that yearns for it and I know that in music is life!

Deep hey.. lol.. I don't like to even talk about my feelings but it is my truth. Vulnerability is inevitable when you are truthful and it's okay! I still have much to learn but I am absorbing life and embracing everything that is in it! We are all djembefolas, if we allow it! Now I know, I am the voice that can make a change in this world! It is my responsibility to be the change! Now wonder my rhythm has improved so much! I am aware :)

I decreased some of my work load again so rededicate myself to my family and friends. I trust! That is something that I have never been able to really do, thanks to meditation through rhythm I can really see the issues holding me back from real life. I won't be remembered for my corporate life but I will be remembered for my love! I'd rather love than store riches! I am thankful and grateful for everything in my life right now! I don't care what people think, I find that awesome! Bring on the rhythm!

This saturday Rocked!

Saturday was more unusual than most. The cops arrived to tell us we can't drum outside without having a permit. We went inside Ala's little shop where he sells his drums, it was cozy! We played new rhythms and it truly was the best one yet!

just letting you know we do corporate funtions, team building, weddings and parties! Ala is available to teach in groups and privately! Don't hesitate to email me should you have any queries. He has awesome drums that he sells at the most reasonable prices!

Drumming has proved to help people who suffer from autism,, difficulties with memory and a range of other illnesses, I will go into that in further detail later when I have some time to really dig deep into the benefits of drumming. I'm working non stop over the next two weeks so the blogging has taken a bit of a back seat but I'll be back in full swing soon! Happy Drumming!

Yours in Djembe,

Dee

missing the drumming

I haven't been drumming for 2 weeks now. I'm starting to have serious withdrawal symptoms! All good though as balance is everything and I do drum at home. The thing is drumming with a group is so much fun! Hope to be there this week.

A lovely lady joined our group one week end. She was on holiday from the UK . Lynn loved the drumming session, I am so very happy she joined us! I feel inspired every time I meet someone who has the same love for this instrument! Djembe drumming Rocks. Below is a picture that Lynn had taken. Thanks for the picture Lynn and we hope to meet again and see you in Cape Town soon! x

And We are on U-Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzTTFx-9cNg

Tone and Slap

We went drumming this week end and I really learnt the difference between tone and slap! Tone is soft, lose fingers where as slap is firm and hard with your fingers together..

This group is amazing and I plan on eventually buying one drum a month from them! I feel calm and ready for the week.. relaxed and focused! If you need to find something fun, to take your mind off every thing, djembe drumming is the thing to do! Looking forward to Saturdays, Always!

Blame it on the wind

This saturday, the wind blew continuously.. I didn't get to go to the drumming circle :(

I had to take my son to a kiddies party and my attempt at packing boxes was an absolute flop as well. So you can imagine my dissapointment.. I will have to wait a whole week until I drum again.. however, Djembe is popular and I didn't realise the affect it has on many people. We went for lunch at my dad's house and his friend was talking about his Djembe drum and how much he loves it. He didnt' know that we go to drumming circles and we started chatting about it. Before we knew it, he had gone to fetch his drum and I had my little drumming session at my dad's house. His drum has great base!! If you are serious about drumming it is better to get a larger drum.  I really can't wait to make my own drum! The drumming master said that he had made his own and when you build your own drum.. it becomes so personalized. It is a part of you. There is a connection between you and your drum and the base, tone and slap sounds better when it is your own drum!

So anyway, I had my little stress release and even though I am moving house next week end, I will drum! no matter what! unless there is galeforce wind of course!

I will eventually be uploading video clips but all in good time. Rome was not build in a day.. and this blog is only 3 weeks old. Keep visitng :)

In Love with Djembe

The first time I ever played the Djembe was at my best friends home. We were having a braai (barbeque) and she put her drum in front of me and suggested I play with her. I have been hooked ever since! I'm still very much a beginner but I play almost daily.

The reason for this blog is to bring djembe drummers together. Drumming on the beach, drumming circles and learning more about this fascinating instrument is a sincere goal of mine.

I am currently going for lessons with a drumming master. I will through out this blog upload photo's and give more information of what I am learning as we go along.

The journey has begun and I am enjoying it so much!..