Group Drumming Classes

Interested in learning African drumming?  Drum Effect's weekly classes provide tuition of traditional rhythms from West Africa on the djembe and dundun drums and are delivered in 10-week courses.  Class teacher, Kate Gascoyne, is a qualified teacher and performs regularly in Canberra with the group 'Drumassault'.  Kate has studied and performed with master West African drummers and undertook an intensive drumming and dance course in Ghana, West Africa.  Kate's classes are high enegy and loads of fun - meet lots of people and be a part of sharing the infectious and uplifting tribal rhythms of Africa! 

Adult Classes

    Erindale - Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr Sternberg Cres & Comrie St, Wanniassa ACT

• Tuesday 8.00 - 9.30pm - Beginner-Continuing Students

    Kingston - Canberra Baptist Church Hall, Currie Cres, Kingston ACT

• Wednesday 6.15 - 7.45pm - Beginner-Continuing Students
• Wednesday 8.00 - 9.30pm - Continuing-Advanced Students

Drum Effect runs three classes at two locations.  Beginners are welcome to join either the 8pm Tuesday night class or the 6.15pm Wednesday night class.  In all classes students learn the calls, breaks and djembe and dundun parts of traditional West African rhythms.  The 8pm Wednesday class (for experienced drummers) also focuses on solo phrases and technique.  Drums are available to hire.  Please download the schedule below for more information.  Gift vouchers are available if you're thinking of spoiling a friend or family member!

Class Schedule - Term 2, 2010 (33 KB)

Class Schedule - Term 3, 2010 (76 KB)

• Thursday 5.30 - 6.30pm - 10-15 Year Olds

Classes run weekly in 10-week terms (following the ACT school term).  Students will learn the calls, djembe and/or dundun parts, breaks and solo phrases of traditional West African rhythms and a performance is held at the end of each term to share what the students have achieved with family and friends.  Drums are provided for students to play at the classes.  Please contact Drum Effect to discuss enrolling your child.

Enrolment
Places in weekly group classes are limited so please either book online or contact Drum Effect as early as possible to enrol or to join a waiting list.  All students joining a weekly group class for the first time will need to complete a Weekly Class Registration form (see below) at the time of enrolment.  A place in a group class is secure when Drum Effect has received the class fee.  Fees can be paid by cheque, EFT (contact Drum Effect for bank details) or via credit card when booking online.

Registration Form - Weekly Classes (855 KB)

Registration Form (Under 18s) - Weekly Classes (858 KB)

Private Tuition

Private lessons are a great way for beginner drummers to learn the basics of traditional West African drumming using the djembe and/or dundun drums. A lesson or two is also the ideal preparation for joining the weekly group classes held in Canberra’s inner south. Private lessons can also suit experienced drummers who may want to ‘brush up’, improve technique and sound, or expand their repertoire of traditional West African rhythms. Students in the weekly classes may want to use private lessons to cover material taught in class, particularly to catch up on missed sessions.  Private lessons allow tuition to be tailored to your needs.

Gift Vouchers
Do you have a friend who you think would love drumming if only they'd try it?  How about giving them a gift voucher for a one-hour private drumming lesson?  Private lessons are perfect for beginners as a drum is provided and the hour session is sure to have them playing funky African rhythms in no time.  They won't believe what they can achieve in an hour!  Visit the Drum Effect shop to purchase a gift voucher.

Lesson Information
Lesson length: Adults – one hour / Children – half hour
Location: Kambah, Canberra ACT
Drums provided at no extra cost.

Beginner Workshops

Throughout the year, Drum Effect runs beginner workshops as part of the CIT short courses program. These 2-hour sessions are held at the CIT Bruce Campus on a Saturday afternoon and are ideal for people who are interested in drumming and want to try it out before joining a group class. All bookings are handled by the CIT - phone 6207 4441.  
Dates for 2010:
Saturday 26th June 2-4pm
Saturday 11th September 2-4pm
Saturday 20th November 2-4pm