African Drumming

Course Information

Gary has led workshops all over East Anglia and many other regions around the UK. Between 1992-2002 he held regular weekly classes for the general public in Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich as well as one day workshops in a large number of towns and villages. He has become a very well known figure in the ‘drumming community' and beyond. Some of his students have now become teachers and performers in their own right, taking on new audiences in the field of African percussion.

The style and approach of Gary's teaching technique has broad appeal and focuses on West African rhythm and composition. His flexible approach enables the workshop structure to meet the needs of a specific group environment from primary school level students to the commercial business client, and from the complete beginner to the serious professional. Gary's warm and friendly style creates a workshop atmosphere which is educative, accessible, fun and can be targeted according to the needs and group achievement level required.

A workshop can take the ‘student' from a basic understanding of rhythm as a music form, including its role in its cultural and social context, to playing technique, cross rhythms, call and response and lead techniques. The content works well within a group environment, and encourages self-confidence, creativity and team building skills and enhancement.

Workshops can be designed for different time schedules from 30 minutes to 2 full days and more. Notation and teaching CD's/tapes are also provided as required. Group size can range from 5 to 50 participants, but generally, between 10 and 25 is more effective as far as group dynamic. Workshops can also be in the form of lectures with overhead projector notes and slides.