Teens and adults
Drum lessons
Learn a rhythm, its calls and the dance it belongs to.
Lessons begin with a rhythm said aloud and clapped, then played on the drum, a pattern at a time. Cheikh and Modou teach the sabar and the tama, the talking drum. Dancers are welcome to sit in, because the drummers learn the dances too.
At a glance
Teens and adults
One hour
Lessons of up to 8
Drum room
What a lesson is like
- 01
Step 1: Say it first
Every rhythm has syllables. We say them aloud and clap them before a hand touches a drum.
- 02
Step 2: Hands on the drum
The teacher plays the pattern beside you, a few counts at a time.
- 03
Step 3: The calls
Each rhythm has calls that tell the dancers what comes next, and we practice them in pairs.
- 04
Step 4: Playing for dancers
Students who are ready play for a dance class, with a teacher beside them.
Try a drum lesson
Book a visit on our registration page. A drum is waiting for you in the room.